First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently?

In general terms, the Barrick Pueblo Viejo Legal Team handles all legal matters internally, minimising the work sent out to external counsel (except for litigation). Litigation matters are reviewed internally, and the strategy is also designed internally. However, external counsels follow up on cases and appear before the courts. The legal department budget has decreased significantly due to the above-mentioned dynamic, which has strengthened the capacities of all the team members.

Additionally, the participation of the legal department drafting more than 20 complex agreements per year with municipalities and governmental Institutions for constructions, donations, and collaborations, as part of the corporate social responsibility matters, especially when it comes to difficult negotiations rounds and contract discussions with relevant authorities.

Also, as part of my role, I represent Barrick Pueblo Viejo before the board of directors of one of the most important business associations in the Dominican Republic (Confederación Patronal de la República Dominicana), which mainly works with the labor and social security agenda of the business sector. Due to my dealings within the employment sector, the legal department’s interaction with the Barrick Pueblo Viejo Union is remarkable.

Can you sum up the team culture in your legal department? How does this contribute to your success?

We work horizontally. I have two senior lawyers with different personal and academic background, and our culture is being a shared legal unit among us, everybody knows what everyone is doing, and any of them are capable of answering any general questions the legal department is handling.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

In-house lawyers need to develop a close and personal relationship with their clients. When external counsels are required, the legal department needs to obtain the advice and structure the response to the relevant users owning the matter, not only transferring what the external counsel advised. The key is to serve as facilitator, looking for all possible legal solutions and risk assessments on uncertain decisions, based on the risk desire of companies. Being a true business partner, while taking care of the legal entity.