About

Diego Peró Ovalle has implemented several changes in the management of the legal team at SalfaCorp, one of the largest and most important Chilean construction and real estate companies. To reduce legal spend the team ‘brought in a significant share of the legal work previously being outsourced and designated new specialised in-house attorneys in charge’, Peró explains. ‘We also put in place a strict control of the external counsel fees and compliance with the budget’. At the same time, Peró has advised the company on the implementation of a new business structure, reorganising the legal department accordingly. As a result of these efforts, delivery of advice has been improved significantly without altering the strict control of the legal risks. Peró’s transactional work has also been a particular success, specifically his efforts to lead complex negotiations with authorities regarding certain public infrastructure projects, and providing oversight on negotiations for structured credit facilities for approximately $250m. Faced with new labour and tax reforms in Chile, as well as ever increasing regulation in competition and compliance, Peró and his team of 16 employees have developed new internal policies and procedures and have introduced amendments to the company’s standard subcontract agreements.