Colombia 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Legal director and general counsel | Ocensa - Oleoducto Central
Legal lead Colombia – Contracting counsel senior manager | Accenture
Head of legal, compliance, corporate social responsibility, and government relations | Mazda Colombia
Legal director Colombia and Costa Rica | Rappi
Senior legal director Latin America North, Central America and the Caribbean | Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Latinoamérica
Vicepresident of corporate affairs | Organización Carvajal
Co-CEO and vice president of legal and corporate affairs | Sanford Management
Arbitration counsel | Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI)
Legal director and company secretary | CARACOL PRIMERA CADENA RADIAL COLOMBIANA
Deputy general counsel and head of legal Latin America | McKinsey & Company
Head of Law, Patents and Compliance Andean, Caribbean and Central America | Bayer Colombia
Head of Legal Colombia & Ecuador | Hitachi Energy
Head of Legal Colombia & Peru – executive director | Banco J.P. Morgan Colombia
Senior litigation counsel (ACAC-Central America, Andean, Caribbean) | Uber
Legal director Colombia & Venezuela | Pepsico Alimentos Colombia
Vice president of legal affairs and general secretary | Scotiabank Colpatria
Legal Manager for Colombia and LSP (Cluster Chile, Perú and Ecuador) | GlaxoSmithKline
Chief legal officer and general counsel | Avianca
Legal director-private sector | Banco de Desarrollo de America Latina CAF
General counsel beauty and wellbeing– Head of legal Andean region | Unilever
Senior Legal and Compliance Director America, Andean Countries, Chile and Venezuela | Mondelēz International
Legal vice president | Steward Health Care International Colombia
Corporate and legal counsel | Avaya Communication de Colombia
Head of Legal Department Colombia, Perú, LatAm Export Markets, Panamá Operations, Americas HUB | Haleon
Vice President of Hydrocarbon Contracts | Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos
Corporate legal department | National Oilwell Varco de Colombia
Chief Counsel of Private Sector/Non-Sovereign Operations, Legal Affairs | Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)
It is with great enthusiasm that The Legal 500 presents the 2025 edition of the GC Powerlist: Colombia, our annual celebration of the country’s most impressive and influential in-house legal talent.
This year’s list recognises the exceptional contributions of general counsel and senior in-house lawyers who are not only legal experts but also critical drivers of strategic growth, innovation, and resilience within their organisations. In a landscape defined by both opportunity and uncertainty, these professionals continue to rise to the occasion—guiding their companies through regulatory upheaval, digital transformation, ESG commitments, and evolving corporate risks.
The individuals featured in this edition exemplify the dynamic role of modern in-house counsel. They serve as trusted advisers, crisis managers, and business enablers—constantly adapting their approach to meet the growing complexity of doing business in Colombia and beyond. Whether leading compliance reforms, negotiating sophisticated deals, or embedding sustainability into corporate governance, these legal leaders are shaping the future of their sectors.
This year’s Powerlist offers an in-depth look at their work and insights, through exclusive interviews and profiles that highlight both professional achievements and personal philosophies. From oil and energy to tech, finance, and infrastructure, the legal minds showcased here are transforming how legal departments contribute to strategic decision-making and long-term value creation.
A recurring theme in our conversations was the increasing alignment between legal functions and executive leadership. As one GC told us, “Being a legal leader today means more than mastering the law—it means having a seat at the table where key business decisions are made, and ensuring that the legal voice is both proactive and solutions-driven.”
We also heard compelling stories about how legal teams are leading the charge on ESG implementation, risk mitigation, and diversity and inclusion. Across sectors, GCs are embedding ethical considerations into contracts, supply chains, and company culture—demonstrating that legal departments are not only guardians of compliance, but also champions of responsible business.
We are deeply grateful to all the participants who generously shared their perspectives, experiences, and challenges with us. Their voices reflect a profession in motion—evolving to meet the demands of the present while shaping the values of the future.
It is our privilege to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Colombia’s top in-house counsel. We hope this publication inspires legal professionals across the region and beyond, and reaffirms the vital importance of the in-house legal role in building resilient, forward-thinking businesses.
Congratulations to all those featured in the GC Powerlist: Colombia 2025.
Margherita Birri
Research Editor
The Legal 500
On July 1st, Legal 500 unveiled the fourth edition of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026, in partnership with PLMJ. Hosted once again on the rooftop terrace of the firm’s Lisbon office under a blazing summer sun, the event brought together many of Portugal’s most accomplished in-house lawyers to celebrate this distinguished community of legal leaders.
Returning to its individual-focused format, this year’s edition marked the reintroduction of the Rising Stars category, recognising some of the country’s most promising emerging in-house counsel. It also saw the world debut of the Transnational Leaders category, highlighting general counsel whose leadership and influence extend beyond national borders and whose responsibilities span multiple jurisdictions.
The evening commenced with a welcome address from Legal 500’s editorial lead Francisco Castro, who emphasised the importance of continuously evolving the publication to reflect the realities of Portugal’s in-house legal market. He highlighted the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series and congratulated the honourees for their outstanding contributions to the profession and the organisations they serve.
Following this introduction, Bruno Ferreira, Managing Partner of PLMJ, took to the stage to congratulate those recognised in this year’s edition. In his remarks, he underscored the increasingly strategic role of in-house counsel in supporting business growth, navigating complexity, and driving legal excellence. He also reflected on the transformative impact that AI is having on the legal function and the opportunities it presents for corporate legal teams.
Concluding the formal proceedings, Alexandra Reis, Senior Counsel at Tabaqueira and a recipient in the inaugural Transnational Leaders category, shared a few reflections on the significance of recognising in-house lawyers and the value of fostering a strong, connected legal community. Drawing on her own experiences, she spoke about the importance of networking, knowledge-sharing and celebrating a profession whose contributions often take place behind the scenes.
The launch of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026 proved to be a fitting celebration of the country’s leading in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth, expertise, and influence of Portugal’s corporate counsel community while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to all those who participated in this year’s research process, and to PLMJ for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
