Legal director | CODACERO
Natia Núñez Curiel
Legal director | CODACERO
What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?
In 2024 and so far in 2025, I have continued to lead the legal aspects of the projects managed by our company, in alignment with its core business activities. I also remain an active member of the company’s internal management committee, where I provide legal insight to support strategic business decisions.
In addition, I actively participate in the various committees of the industry associations to which our company belongs. For example, we are members of the Fiscal Affairs Committee, the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, and the Labour and Legal Committee of the leading industry association in the Dominican Republic. Notably, a major tax reform is currently under discussion in the country. Through our involvement in these working groups, we have submitted key observations and proposed amendments aimed at improving the draft legislation.
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
During periods of instability or crisis, my approach focuses on proactive legal risk management and clear communication with decision-makers. I start by identifying and prioritising legal exposures that could affect the business, ensuring that contingency plans and contractual safeguards are in place. I also monitor regulatory developments closely to anticipate changes and provide timely advice to the organisation.
Internally, I work with key departments to align legal strategies with operational responses, promoting agility without compromising compliance. Externally, I maintain regular contact with relevant stakeholders, including industry associations and regulatory bodies, to stay informed and advocate for the company’s interests.
Ultimately, my goal is to support business continuity while strengthening the organisation’s legal and reputational resilience.
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?
Without a doubt, artificial intelligence has enabled legal teams to automate or accelerate work traditionally carried out by entry-level colleagues. AI is transforming the legal profession by handling routine tasks and enhancing lawyer productivity through tools for document review, legal research, and contract analysis. It has already begun to play a meaningful role in our legal team, particularly in improving efficiency.
However, as I mentioned earlier, it is important to ensure AI tools are used ethically and comply with all relevant legal standards. We are also closely monitoring the evolving regulatory landscape around AI to ensure both compliance and responsible use within our operations.
What factors influence your team’s decision to use external legal services versus handling matters in-house, and what criteria are used to evaluate their performance?
Our decision to engage external legal services depends on several key factors, including the complexity or specialisation of the matter, resource availability within the team, and the potential risk exposure for the company. For highly specialised or high-stakes issues, we typically rely on external counsel with proven expertise in the relevant area.
When evaluating external legal providers, we consider their technical competence, responsiveness, cost-efficiency, understanding of our industry, and ability to provide practical, business-focused advice. We also assess their performance based on consistency, clarity of communication, and their ability to work collaboratively with our internal team.
Legal director | CODACERO
