LATAM countries your role covers: Colombia, Perú, Uruguay

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

The most significant transactions that my team and I have been involved in recently include the incorporation of a new company in Montevideo to serve the Uruguayan market, as well as the opening and initiation of operations at a new site in Medellin to meet the growth requirements of the Colombian market. We have also been involved in negotiations for various M&A operations to consider the acquisition of companies in countries where the organisation is not yet operating.

In addition, the team has been engaged in the creation and implementation of a specific Data Protection Committee for LATAM to address region-specific case studies and to implement the necessary policies and mechanisms to reduce any legal risks related to this subject matter. Finally, we also played a role in the creation and implementation of a legal training program for employees in each country to ensure a culture of compliance. This includes the preparation of training materials adapted to different jurisdictions, online training courses, and the resolution of any doubts or queries that may arise.

How do you adapt your legal counselling to align with the diverse business practices and customs of various LATAM countries?

Adapting effective legal counsel to the different LATAM countries requires a thorough knowledge of the local business practices and of the essential local regulations in each jurisdiction. These legal and business practices vary from country to country, so knowing the peculiarities and specificities of each country is very important. Unlike Europe, where there is a common regulatory framework in many areas, Latin American countries are regulated independently, each with its own jurisdiction, which makes operating in the region a particularly complex matter. It is therefore essential to have the knowledge of recognised and reliable local legal experts in each of the countries. This will help to align the organisation’s strategic objectives in each country and achieve their full engagement in the projects they take part in.

What are your organisations plans in the LATAM region over the next 12 months and how will your legal expertise help to achieve these plans?

The organisation’s plans for LATAM over the next 12 months are to continue the growth by establishing a presence in more countries. We also aim to increase the number of sites in the countries in which we currently operate. In such a complex and regulated scenario, it is essential that the legal department accompanies the business from the signing of the first NDA when talks begin, to the final handshake after the signing of the last contract. With this in mind, building a convenient legal framework adapted to local regulations and the effective management of risks arising from operations are two key aspects to ensure safe growth and avoid undesired effects. The involvement of the legal department must entail full commitment to the achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives, while performing its work in a fully proactive manner.