How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?
Undoubtedly, the pandemic has radically changed the world of work for in-house lawyers. The role of the compliance officer has fundamentally changed, since there have been criminal reforms in Ecuador that set the mandate to have a compliance officer to avoid illicit crimes and mitigate its consequences, which has coincided with the coronavirus pandemic.
What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
We have been involved in the analysis and management of new risks derived from the management of the coronavirus pandemic. We have also had to implement an action plan in order to train and educate our staff on the latest reform of the Criminal Code in Ecuador in anti-corruption matters that has been effective since August 2021. Likewise, we have handled and solved many queries that have arisen in relation to the management of collaborators and third parties and implemented due diligence analysis of third parties in various matters related to compliance.
In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?
Undoubtedly, the in-house legal role will have a great development in compliance in the coming years, with local regulatory reforms in anti-corruption matters, as well as society, changing in this regard. It will be essential that lawyers have a vast knowledge regarding compliance, hence the importance of training new lawyers in relation to compliance matters and risk management.
How important have “soft skills” or personal attributes outside of technical legal skill been to the team’s success, and which “soft skills” do you feel are most important for an in-house lawyer to possess?
Soft skills have been key to the success of the compliance team, especially for compliance officers. Effective communication and organisation are essential in order to clearly communicate with the organisation. An internal lawyer must find the easiest and fairest way to solve problems, work as a team and be motivated, especially in the tough times brought about by the pandemic.
