Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

Small legal teams, such as mine, learn to come up with clever ideas to maximize resources. As an in-house Legal Counsel, I can take great advantage from the legal newsletters of the Law firms I work with, to keep me updated but also to know what issues I should prioritise. I am in charge of legal issues for several markets in Latin America and our legal systems have similarities that allow me, for example, to standardize contracts, Due Diligence tools, compare fees from external lawyers firsthand and even negotiate them regionally, not only local, saving costs. Something that I have learned, moreover, is not to reinvent the wheel: it is vital to maintain good networking because, without a doubt, another lawyer has had to face the same problem as me and two heads are better than one.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

The use of AI and the implementation of new technologies in our day-to-day work will be something inevitable, with which we lawyers will have to familiarize ourselves and learn to work. After the pandemic, the trend among new generations is to maintain hybrid and remote work, so home office and virtuality is something that is here to stay. Internal lawyers must accompany companies in this transit, understanding that there are new ways of working without this meaning less commitment, quality of work or speed in solving issues.

What are some of the main trends impacting the industry sector you work in in Colombia?

Undoubtedly, the atmosphere of uncertainty that prevails in Colombia, particularly in the healthcare sector, has an impact on the medical device industry. Companies like Convatec, which not only brings innovative technologies to the country but also has clinics where it treats patients with complex wounds, hesitate before making further investments. But the role of the legal counsel is also to evaluate opportunities, mitigate risks and collaborate with the sustainable growth of the business.

How do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

Diversity and inclusion are a matter that years ago were not exclusive to human resources and concerns us all. As head of Convatec’s legal area, but also as compliance officer, I lead by example. All initiatives launched towards employees have this stamp; there cannot be any type of discrimination, neither in investigations, training, nor in selection processes. Diversity is not referred only in gender, race, or religion, but in embracing any type of critical thinking towards the company. Diversity allows us to grow sustainably.