Team size: Three

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or

your legal team have recently been involved in?

Over the past year, my role as Head of Legal has been defined by direct involvement in highly complex strategic projects typical of a constantly evolving telecommunications company, where the legal department acts as an enabler of the business rather than merely a control function.

One of the most significant projects I have supported – though, for confidentiality reasons, I can only refer to it in general terms – has been the structuring of a large-scale new data centre intended to become one of the most important in the country. My responsibilities have encompassed corporate and contractual aspects, managing the legal work related to the acquisition of the property, as well as the review, coordination, and supervision of the analysis of the key contracts necessary for the project’s operation. Some of these contracts were assisted by specialised external advisers, while I maintained direct oversight of legal risks, critical contractual terms, and alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.

Additionally, I have led the review, negotiation, and standardisation of key telecommunications service contracts, with particular attention to mitigating breach risks, protecting the company’s commercial interests, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This work has been particularly relevant in the context of service portfolio growth and diversification, where contractual efficiency is a key factor in enabling business agility.

On the contentious front, I am responsible for managing judicial and administrative proceedings which, although not numerous, carry strategic importance. Most of these cases have been resolved favourably for the company thanks to a preventive, well-structured strategy and effective coordination with external counsel, always under a framework of cost control, technical quality, and alignment with business objectives.

Another important area has been the handling of residential customer claims submitted to regulatory authorities. Here, I have promoted an approach focused on early dispute resolution, prioritising agreements that are mutually beneficial, reduce regulatory exposure, and preserve the company’s reputation. This strategy has not only minimised legal risks but also strengthened relationships with oversight bodies and improved internal customer service processes.

Finally, I have reinforced the focus on personal data protection within legal management, both in contracts and internal processes, supported by my recent certification as a Data Protection Officer and my postgraduate training in risk management, cybersecurity, and compliance. This expertise is crucial for responsibly supporting technological and operational projects in line with current regulations.

Taken together, these projects illustrate a legal function that is transversal, strategic, and deeply integrated with the business, with a preventive, practical, and results-oriented approach.

What strategies do you use to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

The digital transformation of the legal department has been approached from a strategic perspective, prioritising operational efficiency without compromising regulatory compliance, particularly regarding the protection of personal data. One of the cornerstones of this transformation has been the standardisation of a Data Processing Agreement for suppliers who in some way access data for which we act as data controllers. The standardisation has been designed with a risk-based approach to data protection, applied only when the service involves processing personal data in accordance with the principles of proportionality and minimisation.

My recent certification as a Data Protection Officer, together with my training in cybersecurity and compliance, has been fundamental in ensuring that the digitalisation of legal processes is carried out responsibly. Beyond formal compliance, an internal culture of data protection has been promoted, integrating this focus into contracts, processes, and training.

The digital transformation has also entailed a cultural shift within the legal area, promoting the use of technological tools for the management of contractual and other legal requirements, thereby enhancing team productivity and enabling a more agile response to business needs.

In short, the digital transformation of the legal department has been conceived as a continuous process, aimed at delivering business value, managing risks efficiently, and ensuring regulatory compliance in an increasingly complex technological environment.

Based on your experiences over the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are monitoring and believe other in-house lawyers should be aware of?

Based on experience over the past year, one of the main trends I consider relevant for other in-house lawyers is the increasing cross-functional nature of regulatory compliance, particularly in data protection and cybersecurity. Data protection has ceased to be an isolated legal matter and has become a transversal focus impacting products, services, technology, and the customer experience. This requires in-house lawyers to develop a deep understanding of the business and technological processes in order to provide effective advice.

Another significant trend is the growing expectation for legal departments to be more agile, client-oriented, and aligned with the company’s objectives. This entails moving away from overly conservative models and adopting risk-based approaches.

Additionally, there is heightened regulatory scrutiny in strategic sectors such as telecommunications, reinforcing the need for preventive strategies and collaborative relationships with supervisory authorities.

Finally, the integration of legal, compliance, information security, regulatory, and technology teams will become increasingly important, demanding hybrid legal profiles that are continuously updated and adaptable.