Latin America Private Equity 2024 – GC Powerlist
GC Powerlist Logo

Latin America Private Equity 2024

Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel

ACC Alliance Logo
  • Industries

  • Powerlist

Alan Parker

Vice president and Brazil legal counsel | EIG Brazil

Financials

View profile
Alfredo Apéstegui

Chief legal officer | Mesoamerica Investments

Financials

View profile
Ana Lith Ramirez Aragon

Senior associate, legal | Fondos Sura SAF - Sura Investment

Financials

View profile
Andrés Traversaro

Lead counsel | BC Energy

Energy and utilities

View profile
Anna Dutra

General counsel | Avenue

Financials

View profile
Diego Corp

Chief legal officer | Verano Energy

Energy and utilities

View profile
Edgardo Cavalié

Managing director, chief legal officer and general counsel | Enfoca

Financials

View profile
Guillermo Cabieses

Managing director, general counsel | Nexus Group

Financials

View profile
Julian Graciano

Legal vice president | Yellowstone Capital Partners

Financials

View profile
Larissa Sabino

Legal, compliance and regulatory director | Patria Investments

Financials

View profile
Marita Bellido

Senior legal counsel, M&A international banking | Scotiabank

Financials

View profile
Patricia Brocos

Legal director | Credicorp Capital

Financials

View profile
Roger Saldana

General counsel | Cemex

Materials and mining

View profile
Amália Costa

Legal manager | Volkswagen Brasil

Consumer products

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Amanda McGrady Morrison

General counsel | Advent International

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Ana Maria Bernal

Legal and corporate affairs manager | PEI Asset Management

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Antonio Peñaloza Perez

General counsel, Mexico | Global Payments

Financials

Bruno Gonzales Chirinos

Legal manager | Banco Bci Perú

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Carlos Rave Varón

General counsel | Valorem

Financials

Diana Bogotá

Legal counsel | IDB Invest

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Dolores de Elizalde

Legal advisor | Southern Cross Group

Financials

Felipe Barbosa

General counsel | Alfa

Financials

Francisco Rivadeneira

Legal vice president and company secretary | Scotiabank

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Gianmarco Tagliarino

General counsel and corporate affairs vice president | BRECA

Financials

Gonzalo Spada

Senior legal counsel | Pomelo

Financials

Gordon Cruess

Managing director | General Atlantic

Financials

Hernan Da Silva Artero

Regional legal manager | Puente

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Juan Martinez

Legal director | Artha Capital

Industrial and real estate

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Juan Pablo Aspe

Vice president, legal counsel | Macquarie Capital

Financials

Karim Abuid

General counsel | BTG Pactual

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Lucas Cuartas Gómez

Senior vice president, private credit | Sura Investment Management

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Manuel Salas

Director and chief legal officer | Grupo Cuestamoras

Financials

Marcelo Araujo Pereira

Chief legal officer | Nelogica

Information technology

Margarita Suarez Camargo

General legal counsel and corporate secretary, BBVA Valores | BBVA

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Maria Fernanda Acosta

Legal advisor | Fondo Latinoamericano de Reservas

Financials

Mariza Gomez

Legal manager | HPL Apollo

Energy and utilities

Mauricio Balbi

Regional general counsel | AUNA

Healthcare

Midori Makiyama

Legal counsel | Crédit Agricole CIB

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Mónica Andapia

Legal director | Goldman Sachs

Financials

Monica Ierullo

Executive and legal director | The Forest Company

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Peter de Svastich

Managing director | Global Emerging Markets

Financials

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Raphaela Vasconcelos

General counsel and chief compliance officer | Canvas Capital Brasil

Financials

Rodrigo Moreira

General counsel, Brazil | Mubadala Capital

Financials

Sara Rodríguez Gómez

Legal senior manager, corporate | The Home Depot

Consumer products

GC Powerlist logo as placeholder
Thomas Heather

Legal senior vice president | Macquaire Asset Management

Financials

As the GC Powerlist series expands, our aim is to create editions that spotlight individuals excelling in realms that may have previously eluded our attention. As investors increasingly turn to Private Equity for higher returns and strategic investments, specialised firms equipped with deep industry knowledge and transactional expertise are becoming indispensable. These companies facilitate complex deal structures, conduct meticulous due diligence, and navigate regulatory landscapes with expertise. 

Targeting areas for expansion within the GC Powerlist series depends on various factors such as emerging trends, industry developments, and the evolving needs of the legal community. Latin America was seen has the perfect setting given the continuous growth and demand for organisations specialised in Private Equity, as well as the great quality and talent of individuals based in the region.  

Accordingly, we are proud to introduce you to this very special edition of the GC Powerlist: Latin America Private Equity 2024. 

The interviews you can exclusively read in this publication were enlightening and provided fresh perspectives not only on how investment firms are utilising their legal experts to increase their gains, but also how difficult and unique of an environment the Latin American region is. “Latin American market’s economic stability and political dynamics vary widely, adding layers of complexity to legal strategies”, as recognised by Diego Corp Hoces de la Guardia, general counsel at Verano Energy, who also advises that “[r]emaining vigilant to navigate intricate regulations and ensure strict compliance is an ongoing commitment. The ever-changing political and economic dynamics necessitate a proactive stance to anticipate and mitigate potential risks. Constructing legal strategies that adeptly account for these uncertainties while still aligning with business goals is a constant juggling act.” 

Another great look at the Latin American scene when dealing in Private Equity is the perspective shared by Alfredo Apestegui, principal and chief legal officer at Mesoamerica, who states that “[d]oing Private Equity deals in Latin America has taught me several important lessons (…) there is no such thing as a “LATAM deal”, as every country is very different in terms of legal, political and macro environment, so having the right local partners and advisors is key”, a view that clearly manifests the great challenges that in-house lawyers face in this quite specialised sector of the legal industry. 

Despite challenges and difficulties, our interviews also reveal the great and many favourable outcomes that are result of these brilliant lawyers’ hard work. As Julian Graciano, legal vice president at Yellowstone Capital Partners notably expresses: “[s]eeing the positive impact of our investments in the environment and the lives of so many people and communities while meeting the expectations of our investors is the most rewarding experience of working as an in-house lawyer”. This sentiment was inferred during the interviews conducted, as there seems to be a collective deep fulfilment to see how their legal expertise contributes to sustainable development, social progress and economic growth, while also aligning with generally accepted values and commitments. 

The in-house lawyers deservedly featured in this special edition of the GC Powerlist strike the perfect balance between achieving financial objectives and fostering meaningful change, underscoring the profound impact legal experts can have in society. On behalf of The Legal 500, would like to introduce you to the most diligent and expert in-house lawyers in the field of Private Equity based in Latin America, and congratulate them for this terrific achievement. 

 

Francisco Faria e Castro 

Editorial lead 

In-House Legal Research Team | GC Powerlist Series 

 logo

DLA Piper in Latin America’s Team offers full-service business legal counsel to domestic and multinational companies with interests in and operations throughout the region.  Our integrated approach to serving clients combines local knowledge with the resources of the DLA Piper global platform.  With over 450 lawyers practicing throughout Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico, in addition to our US-based cross-border attorneys, our teams frequently work with our professionals throughout the LatAm region, Iberian Peninsula, and around the globe.

A number of our lawyers were born or raised and educated in the region and are fluent in Spanish and/or Portuguese.  Many have also practiced law in both the US and Latin America and are intimately familiar with civil law systems and with the cultural and legal nuances required to successfully do business in the region.  Our strategic relationships on the ground throughout Latin America enhance our understanding of the region and enable us to provide our clients practical, meaningful legal advice.  DLA Piper’s global platform of 90+ offices in more than 40 countries enables us to serve all of our clients’ legal needs, whether they are based in Latin America or wish to do business there.

The United States, specifically New York and Florida, has deep economic and cultural ties to Latin America.  After many decades of being at the center of the most complex cross-border matters related to Latin America, New York law is firmly established as the most widely accepted applicable/governing law on cross-border transactions related to Latin America.

Our US based team of Latin America practitioners regularly acts as lead counsel on a wide range of cross-border matters in Latin America, ranging from complex capital markets, finance and M&A matters to public private partnerships and market entry and establishment issues.  For more information, visit Latin America | DLA Piper.

GC Powerlist: Colombia 2025

The 2025 edition of the GC Powerlist Colombia, held at the elegant Casa Medina in Bogotá, brought together some of the most influential general counsel and in-house legal leaders from across the country and region. The event highlighted how Colombian legal departments are evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly complex, tech-driven, and sustainability-conscious business environment. Key themes throughout the day included the strategic adoption of AI and legal tech, lean but agile team structures, shifting approaches to external counsel, and a strong commitment to ESG and inclusive leadership.

One of the most prominent discussion points was the integration of legal technology, particularly AI and large language models, into in-house legal work. Across companies like Uber, Unilever, Takeda, and GFT, there is strong momentum around the use of AI tools for contract lifecycle management—ranging from clause extraction and risk flagging to version control and automated drafting. However, rather than viewing AI as a replacement for legal professionals, most GCs described these technologies as strategic enablers that allow their teams to focus on higher-impact work. Laura Jaramillo Franco of Bayer provided one of the most detailed insights into how her team has deliberately structured their AI use. She emphasised that the value lies not in using AI for its own sake, but in tailoring each tool to specific use cases that align with legal risk standards and data protection policies. Tools such as Harvey, myGenAssist, Claude, Notebook, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Gamma are all part of Bayer’s ecosystem—each selected and implemented with clear purpose and governance.

Legal design was another emerging theme, with institutions like Scotiabank and Unilever investing in simplifying legal documents to make them more accessible to non-legal stakeholders. This is especially relevant in consumer-facing sectors where clear communication builds trust and mitigates risk. There is also growing interest in predictive analytics for litigation and compliance risk mapping, as legal departments seek more proactive ways to support business decisions.

Despite the growing influence of technology, staffing models remain lean. Most legal departments consist of teams ranging from three to nine professionals. However, size is no longer the defining factor of effectiveness. Instead, agility, business-embeddedness, and cross-functional collaboration are key. General counsel from companies such as Scotiabank, Cargill highlighted the increasing involvement of legal leaders in crisis management and business strategy, often working side by side with finance and communications teams. Upskilling, especially in technology and leadership, is an area of active investment, with Uber, for instance, noting formal programs aimed at equipping in-house lawyers for this evolving role.

The event also revealed a shift in the use of external counsel. In-house teams are now more confident in handling complex matters internally, including regulatory strategy, litigation, and M&A. Companies such as SierraCol and Bancolombia highlighted that while law firms remain essential, engagements are becoming more selective and strategic. The focus has moved from transactional work to long-term partnerships that add specialized value or support cross-border challenges.

Sustainability and ESG responsibilities continue to expand within legal departments. Legal leaders are increasingly central to ensuring compliance with ESG frameworks, advising on disclosures, and shaping product strategies aligned with social impact. Viviana Prada Rey of Grupo Cibest shared how her legal team plays a key role in advancing the company’s mission to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. From advising on sustainable finance initiatives to monitoring ESG-related regulatory developments in both Colombia and the United States, the legal function has become instrumental in driving long-term impact.

Another area of strong focus was crisis resilience. Legal teams are leading scenario planning and designing compliance playbooks, ensuring they are prepared for unexpected events. Leadership and inclusion also featured prominently. Companies are integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into their legal team strategies. Juliana Hoyos Flórez, General Counsel of SierraCol, discussed the company’s ALMA program (Academia de Liderazgo para Mujeres de Alto Impacto), which has empowered over 180 women across the company and community with leadership skills and is expected to reach 300 by 2026.

In conclusion, the GC Powerlist Colombia 2025 was a testament to the transformation of the legal profession in the region. Far from being reactive support functions, today’s legal departments are strategic, tech-savvy, socially conscious, and embedded at the heart of business decision-making. As demonstrated once again, Colombia’s in-house legal leaders are not just keeping pace with global trends—they are helping define them.

A heartfelt thank you to our brilliant sponsor, Baker McKenzie, for making this event possible.