What are the key projects you have been involved in over the past twelve months?

Over the past year, my focus has been split between driving business growth through digital channels and expanding Apple’s financial services footprint across the region. A major highlight was assisting the legal strategy for the rollout of Apple Pay and Tap to Pay on iPhone in several Latin American markets. This involved navigating complex financial regulations, managing compliance and entering agreements with local banking partners to ensure a seamless launch. Additionally, I spearheaded the legal framework for new affordability and consumer financing initiatives in Colombia and Chile, while optimising marketplace structures across Latin America. The outcome was a successful expansion of our services and hardware accessibility under a very robust, compliant model.

Can you describe an instance where your legal advice directly influenced business strategy or commercial objectives?

A clear example was during the design of our regional digital go-to-market strategy. Instead of stepping in late as a traditional compliance gatekeeper — which can slow things down given the fragmented e-commerce and data privacy rules in LatAm — the legal team co-created the strategy from day one. I provided counsel that actively reshaped how we structured partnerships with regional marketplaces. By translating rigid regulations into clear operational guardrails, we built a scalable model that allowed the business to hit its growth targets and launch products smoothly, all while fully protecting brand reputation and consumer trust.

How has the role of general counsel evolved, and what are the most important attributes for the modern in-house lawyer?

The role has shifted from reactive risk manager to strategic business partner. We can no longer view legal issues in a vacuum. Today, the most critical attributes are business acumen, adaptability and emotional intelligence. We need to translate complex legal concepts into actionable commercial advice. Rather than simply saying “no” to risk, modern counsel works alongside the executive team to build compliant pathways that enable the business to innovate and grow.