Central America 2026
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior Director, Legal and Regulatory | Cable & Wireless Panama
Legal and government affairs manager Central America and Dominican Republic | AVON
Senior Legal Director Central American Markets | Colgate-Palmolive
Legal Lead for NA Media and Digital Portfolios and Guatemala Team Lead | Capgemini
Legal Director for Mexico and CASA (Central and South America) | Elanco
General Counsel | INCAE Business School
Legal, Compliand and Risk Director | Securitas Costa Rica
Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel          | New Fortress Energy
Legal and Compliance Officer | Nicaragua Energy Services
Legal Director & DPO for Central America & The Caribbean | ADIUM Central America & The Caribbean
Legal Regional Senior Manager Tax Controversy | Walmart de México y Centroamérica
General Counsel, Director | China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Americas Division and Consorcio Panama Cuarto Puente (CPCP)
General Counsel | Grupo Financiero G&T ContinentalÂ
Director of Legal, Ethics and Compliance | SUEZ International
Regional Legal Director TT and Compliance Officer, LATAM | Foundever
General Counsel and Corporate Governance Officer | Banco Promerica Guatemela
Senior Director, International Legal Affairs | SBA Communications Corporation
Vicepresident, Legal and Compliance | Banco Agromercantil Guatemala
Head of Legal and Compliance and Data Privacy Officer for Central America, the Caribbean, and Venezuela (CCAV) | Roche Pharma
Senior Legal Counsel (manager of Legal/Compliance Department and Tenders Department) | Boston Scientific
Vicepresident Legal | Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior
Legal Director, Corporate Secretary and Deputy CEO | Davibank (Costa Rica)
General counsel, senior vice president | Citibank, El Salvador
Legal Counsel / Legal Business Partner for Central America & The Caribbean | ADIUM Central America & The Caribbean
Latin America Area Business Counsel | 3M Transportation & Electronics Business Group
Legal and Regulatory Manager | MRO HOLDINGS
Regional Director of Legal Affairs | Torrecom Partners
Senior Legal Counsel for Central America, Caribbean and LATAM Development Markets | Procter & Gamble
Regional General Counsel Mexico and Central America | Enel Green Power
General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer | Grupo Salinas Guatemala
Legal, Corporate Affairs and Wholesale Business Director | Movistar El Salvador
Legal Director, Legal-regulatory control and corporate secretary | Banco Davivienda
Senior Legal Manager - Central America & The Caribbean (VeneCenCa) | Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica
Central America, The Caribbean, Argentina, Uruguay Regional Legal Affairs Director | JCDecaux
Legal Director, Energy | CMI-Corporación Multi Inversiones
EVP Legal, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary | Integra Capital Group
Central America is not standing still—and neither are its general counsel.Â
The GC Powerlist Central America 2026 recognises a group of in-house leaders operating at the sharp edge of transformation. Across the region, businesses are expanding, restructuring, digitising, and navigating increasingly complex regulatory and geopolitical environments. At the centre of it all sits Legal—not as a gatekeeper, but as a driver of progress.Â
What became clear throughout our research is that today’s standout GCs are deeply embedded in the business. They are helping to unlock growth, not just protect against risk. Whether advising on cross-border expansion, enabling new products, managing large-scale disputes, or shaping digital and AI strategies, they are influencing decisions at the highest level—and doing so with clarity, speed, and commercial awareness.Â
There is also a noticeable shift in mindset. Legal teams are building systems, not just solutions. They are investing in data, dashboards, and governance frameworks that allow organisations to move faster and with greater confidence. At the same time, they are fostering trust—translating complexity into action, and ensuring that innovation happens responsibly.Â
Perhaps most importantly, these lawyers understand their role as enablers. In a region where volatility is often part of the operating environment, they provide stability without slowing momentum. They work across functions, across borders, and often behind the scenes—making things happen without needing to be in the spotlight.Â
This year’s Powerlist is a reflection of that evolution. It celebrates lawyers who are not only keeping up with change, but actively shaping it.Â
Congratulations to all those featured.Â
Margherita Birri
Research Editor
The Legal 500Â
On 1 September, Legal 500 unveiled the third edition of the GC Powerlist: East Africa, in partnership with leading African law firm ENS. Hosted at the Sankara Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, the event brought together many of the region’s most accomplished in-house lawyers to celebrate a distinguished community of legal leaders shaping the future of business across East Africa.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks from Giulio Tomassi Galanti, Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who highlighted the importance of recognising the dynamic growth and increasing sophistication of the East African legal market. He also reflected on the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series, congratulating this year’s honourees for their exceptional contributions to both the legal profession and the organisations they serve.
Following this introduction, Mahesh Acharya, Managing Partner of ENS Kenya, addressed the audience to commend the individuals recognised in the 2026 edition.
The launch of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 proved a fitting celebration of the region’s leading in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth of expertise, influence, and innovation within East Africa’s corporate counsel community, while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s research process and to ENS for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these outstanding legal professionals.
On Thursday, 3 September, Legal 500 will host the second launch event celebrating the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. Building on the success of the Nairobi launch, the event will bring together many of region’s most accomplished in-house counsel and senior legal leaders to recognise their achievements and celebrate the continued growth and influence of the region’s corporate legal community.
