How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

Veltis Latam specialises in industrial services for the mining industry, particularly copper, serving key clients such as Codelco, BHP, and AMSA. We operate through our three companies, Steel, Berliam, and Walvis, and are supported by a workforce of 4,500 dedicated employees. In this highly competitive sector, our ability to adapt and thrive amidst changing circumstances is crucial for maintaining our position as a preferred partner for our clients.

Resilience is a significant strategic advantage for us. It encompasses not only ensuring operational continuity during crises but also the capacity to quickly restore critical functions, absorb stress, and capitalise on opportunities when our competitors may be less prepared. This awareness is vital across all areas of our company, and it is equally important that the legal department plays a strategic business role in this regard.

Recent global developments have underscored the necessity for companies and their legal departments to be prepared for unpredictable circumstances. Our industry, for example, could be affected by global tariff rates for the US, and we must also closely monitor local political changes. Additionally, Chile’s mining industry has recently faced a tragedy with the loss of miners at a mining field. For those reasons, successfully managing legal matters during unstable periods demands a deep understanding of our business and risks, a clear vision of the company’s strategy, and the recognition that the legal department is a crucial business partner.

As general counsel, my legal strategy is centered on three key areas to ensure organisation’s resilience: risk management, which involves continuously identifying and monitoring major risks that could jeopardise our business, followed by developing robust action plans to mitigate these risks and protect our organisation; cross-functional teamwork, I believe in collaborating closely with other departments like operations, HR, and finance. This ensures a coordinated response to crises and aligns our legal strategies with broader business objectives; and team development, which is essential to encourage my legal team to cultivate the skills necessary for adapting to change. This includes fostering flexibility, assertiveness, and rapid decision-making. Lawyers must be able to think innovatively and embrace change to build resilience and develop quick, original solutions to new business challenges, all while prioritising the organisation’s legal interests.

It is important to emphasise that regularly developing and strengthening these skills is paramount. It’s not just about foreseeing abrupt scenarios or creating contingency plans; it’s more about cultivating the ability to successfully lead under uncertain conditions.

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Last year, my legal team successfully negotiated several service contracts in the copper mining industry with key Chilean companies like Codelco, Antofagasta Minerals, and BHP. This year, we are involved in even higher-value contract negotiations as we continue to expand our presence and solidify our position as a leading player in the mining Latam service sector. Veltis Latam is adept at supporting clients across the full spectrum of externalised mining services. We actively participate in bidding processes and are recognised in the industry as an exceptionally reliable business partner.

What factors influence your team’s decision to use external legal services versus handling matters in-house, and what criteria are used to evaluate their performance?   

For me, the most crucial aspects when engaging external legal counsel are speed and a comprehensive understanding of the matter at hand. This ensures that the legal firm provides us with practical business solutions grounded in legal expertise, rather than lengthy legal memos that don’t directly aid in decision-making

I believe that while external firms offer specialised expertise, their greatest value lies in providing legally sound business solutions rather than just legal interpretations. Since joining Veltis Latam (formerly Ferrovial) in 2018, I have emphasised to my team the importance of thoroughly understanding our business—its strengths, weaknesses, and critical factors—to deliver truly valuable legal advice. Our goal extends beyond mere compliance; we aim to make legal advice an essential business asset, marking a significant change from the legal department’s prior role within a multinational company.

In the past years, I restructured the legal department to align with the company’s operational processes and legal requirements. We manage core business legal matters internally, using external law firms for other specific needs such as litigation or intellectual property. Our in-house team is responsible, amongst others, for the comprehensive legal review of bidding documentation and the negotiation of legal terms and conditions with clients and suppliers, and the advisory for the negotiation of collective bargain agreements (for an average of 25 unions).

These changes have greatly streamlined our legal workflow for business and support areas, establishing structured internal procedures for various requirements. I have also introduced legal risk matrices, consistent legal policies, and contract models, which have led to more efficient management of legal needs and adherence to our budget. This proactive approach has positively impacted both the legal department and other areas of the company. Legal requests are now submitted promptly with all necessary information, allowing for faster responses and higher quality work, which in turn enhances internal customer satisfaction. Financially, these initiatives have resulted in a notable decrease in labor and other litigation costs, significant savings in contractual penalties, and reduced external legal expenses.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this?

I am passionate about promoting a healthy work-life balance, as I believe it is essential for overall well-being and productivity. Maintaining this balance is especially important in today’s interconnected world, where work demands and personal commitments can easily become overwhelming. Achieving equilibrium between professional and personal life is key for a successful life, enabling individuals to manage responsibilities without one negatively impacting the other. This balance is crucial for maintaining well-being, enhancing job satisfaction, and improving overall quality of life.

My aim is for those working with me to enjoy their personal time while maintaining high achievement and commitment at work.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting? 

I may share a story that exemplifies my commitment to helping others and seeking justice, even when it means getting involved in complex situations. Many years ago, during my mandatory practice at a Free Legal Advisory office (a requirement for Chilean lawyers applying to the Chilean Bar), I encountered a particularly poignant case. A financially disadvantaged woman sought assistance for her 17-year-old son with autism. Her son was the product of a past affair with a man from the army, and for over 15 years, she had been trying to get him to acknowledge paternity, but he consistently refused a DNA test. The case had been passed from lawyer to lawyer without resolution. Her primary goal was to obtain official recognition of paternity so her son could access the excellent health services and therapy available at the military hospital. I took this case as a personal quest, dedicated to expediting the process. I personally met with the judge and even accompanied the woman to the hospital to speak with the person in charge to accelerate the DNA test results. Moreover, I reach the man myself and convinced him to take the DNA test.

I am pleased to say that, in a remarkably short period, she was able to secure treatment for her son at the hospital and achieve the recognition of paternity she had sought for so long. This experience solidified my dedication to advocating for those in need.