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

The launch of the new Casa Brugal Gallery in one of the country’s most prestigious luxury shopping centers, and the opening of the Casa Brugal Spiritual Home in Puerto Plata, were two landmark projects that have played a pivotal role in advancing Brugal’s commercial strategy and brand presence. For both initiatives, the Legal team co-led the implementation process, working hand-in-hand with the brand and commercial teams. Legal team involvement was instrumental in managing contract negotiations and ensuring seamless project execution.

A cornerstone initiative in Casa Brugal’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2 is the implementation of zero carbon emission energy supply for one of its sites. This project represents a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainable operations. The Legal team has played a critical role in supporting this initiative, particularly by leading the preparation and negotiation of agreements related to land use, preliminary works, geotechnical studies, and initial design. Additionally, the team has worked closely with the sustainability team to assess the eligibility of the project for tax incentives and exemptions, ensuring compliance and maximizing potential benefits.

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

In-house legal teams do not operate in isolation; they are deeply integrated into the fabric of the business. As such, fostering a strong organisational culture – one that prioritises employee well-being and actively cultivates talent – is essential.

In time of instability, the most effective way to navigate legal challenges is through a motivated, skilled legal team with a deep understanding of the business. Such a team is well-equipped to adapt and respond to the complexities that crises and uncertain periods inevitably bring.

AI has been taken seriously as a potentially revolutionary technological change in the legal world for a number of years now. Has it had a meaningful impact in how your legal team works in this time?

Artificial Intelligence is undeniably one of the most transformative technological advancements of the century. Yet, despite its revolutionary potential, recent research indicates that AI remains underutilised, with adoption progressing slowly. This leaves significant untapped opportunities for both businesses and legal teams.

At Casa Brugal, our legal team is actively exploring how to better integrate AI into our daily operations. Our goal is to enhance service delivery—making it faster and more efficient—while maintaining the precision, assertiveness, and high standards that define our work.

While we are already leveraging AI to support certain functions, we recognize that early and effective adoption can unlock a much broader range of benefits. As both the legal team and the wider business continue to evolve, we are committed to embracing AI as a strategic enabler of innovation, agility, and long-term value.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company? Can you share an example of a recent legal-led initiative that had a significant impact?

Our legal team’s strategy is fully aligned with Casa Brugal’s mission to craft exceptional premium spirits brands. We play a dual role: enabling the business by supporting commercial execution, brand building, strategic initiatives, and the sustainability agenda; and protecting it through risk-based governance, proactive horizon scanning, robust compliance, and safeguarding our brands, assets, and reputation.

Since 2023, the legal team has co-led the implementation of a new pension contribution plan, set to launch later this year. This initiative will significantly enhance the replacement rate for our employees upon retirement, reinforcing our commitment to long-term employee well-being.