Mexico
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Chief legal counsel and compliance officer | JLL Mexico
Legal and compliance associate | Ainda Energía & Infraestructura
Partner and head of asset management, legal and compliance | Beel Infrastructure Partners
Legal markets vice president | Banco J.P. Morgan, Institución de Banca Múltiple
General counsel for specialised business | Grupo Nacional Provincial
OGC personal data protection manager | KPMG Cárdenas Dosal
Senior manager -corporate legal affairs and financing | Finsa
General counsel and secretary of the board of directors | Principal Financial Group México
Senior legal counsel, EU and Latam | Eiffage Energía Sistemas
Associate general counsel (labor and employment), interim LATAM legal lead | Celanese
Chief of trademarks and contracts-– Electrolit legal department | Grupo Pisa
Senior aviation regulatory counsel | Volaris
Legal manager and head of data privacy LATAM | L’Oréal LATAM
Deputy general counsel regional head of CIB banking for Mexico and Latam | HSBC Mexico
Partner OGC (office general counsel)Mexico and MCA Cluster | KPMG
Corporate legal manager - mergers and acquisitions | America movil
Deputy managing legal director – corporate governance | Grupo Financiero Banorte
Associate general counsel and data protection officer, Mexico | Cinépolis
General counsel and chief legal officer | Grupo Aeroméxico
Sr. corporate attorney | International Motors Mexico
General counsel and compliance officer | Grupo Rotoplas
VP general counsel, regulatory & external affairs | AT&T México
Director of legal and compliance | Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Mexico
Sr. legal manager – contracts, litigations, corporate and supply MÉXICO & CARCA – Core Reckitt | Nutrition | Reckitt/Mead Johnson
General counsel and chief compliance officer | OCESA Entretenimiento
General counsel, ethics and compliance and data protection officer North Latam | Capgemini
Licensing and permitting manager | Grupo Rotoplas
Vice president legal & sustainability, assistant general counsel | Element Fleet Management Corporation
General counsel | Banco Sabadell, Institución de Banca Múltiple
Lead counsel, regulatory, real estate and commercial affairs | General Motors de Mexico
Senior legal, ethics, compliance and quality director | Novo Nordisk
Director of legal, compliance and regulatory affairs | Grupo Coppel
Office of general counsel- senior manager | KPMG Mexico
Legal vicepresident and general counsel | Izzi telecom & Sky Mexico (Grupo Televisa)
Legal, environmental and regulatory coordinator | Grupo Peñoles
Tax controversy director (in-house counsel) | Walmart de México y Centro América
Senior vice president legal and ethics | Banco Nacional de México (Banamex)
Director of legal and compliance | Ainda, energia & infrastructura
Head of legal, corporate and commercial banking | Banco Sabadell, Institución de Banca Múltiple
General counsel and secretary of the board of directors | Volaris
Legal head TecSalud, research, entrepreneurship & innovation | Tecnológico de Monterrey
Legal manager – mining and infrastructure | Peñoles Industries & Fresnillo
Associate general counsel and data protection officer, Mexico | Forvia
Executive director and assistang general counsel legal | Banco JP Morgan
General counsel and director of legal affairs | Grupo Lamosa
Head of legal – capital markets and contracts | Grupo Financiero Banorte
Vice president legal affairs and compliance | Esentia Energy
On 26 March, Legal 500 partnered with Portuguese law firm PLMJ to bring its renewed sustainability‑focused conference series to Lisbon with the ESG Forum: Portugal 2026. The half‑day event gathered senior leaders from the legal, financial, energy and sustainability spheres for a concentrated programme hosted at PLMJ’s offices. Throughout the sessions, speakers explored the regulatory, governance and enforcement forces reshaping ESG strategy in Portugal, offering a clear cross‑sector perspective on how organisations are adapting to an increasingly complex and fast‑moving landscape.
The event opened with some welcome remarks from Legal 500 editor Francisco Castro, who emphasised the value of events that bring the in‑house community together to learn, exchange experiences and build meaningful professional networks. In his welcome address, he highlighted the growing complexity of ESG obligations across Europe and the increasing pressure on organisations to adopt integrated, business‑wide approaches to compliance, risk management and strategic planning. By underscoring the need for practical, grounded discussion rather than abstract theory, he set the tone for a programme designed to deliver actionable insight and foster collaboration among practitioners navigating a rapidly evolving ESG landscape.
Followed an opening brief delivered by PLMJ’s Managing Partner, Bruno Ferreira, who provided a concise yet comprehensive overview of the ESG priorities defining Portugal in 2026. He outlined the expanding influence of EU regulatory frameworks on corporate reporting, due diligence and governance, noting how these requirements are reshaping expectations around data quality, transparency and accountability. His remarks positioned ESG not as a peripheral concern but as a central driver of corporate behaviour, capital flows and long‑term competitiveness in the Portuguese market.
The first panel, moderated by João Marques Mendes, Partner at PLMJ and joined by Cláudia Teixeira de Almeida of Banco BPI, Nuno Moraes Bastos of GALP and Diogo Graça of REN, explored how corporate governance and sustainable finance are shaping Portugal’s energy transition. The discussion examined how boards and executive teams are adapting oversight structures to manage transition‑related risks and how legal, compliance, sustainability and procurement functions are increasingly intertwined in project governance. Panellists described the growing influence of financing structures on project execution, noting that lenders’ expectations around ESG metrics, contractor performance and transparency now shape governance decisions from the earliest stages. They also addressed the operational constraints that continue to challenge Portugal’s transition ambitions, including permitting timelines, grid capacity limitations and delivery risk. While acknowledging the complexity of EU‑level frameworks, speakers emphasised that these standards also present strategic opportunities to harmonise practices, unlock investment and strengthen Portugal’s competitive position in the energy transition.
Following a short break, the second panel turned to litigation, liability and the emerging enforcement era surrounding sustainability claims. Moderated by Raquel Azevedo, Partner at PLMJ and featuring contributions from Carla Góis Coelho of PLMJ, Carlos Martins Ferreira of Jerónimo Martins, Filipa Rodrigues Carmona of Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Céline da Graça Pires of NOVA, the session examined the rapid rise of ESG‑driven disputes, investigations and regulatory actions. Panellists discussed the typical trigger points for scrutiny, ranging from sustainability reports and corporate websites to marketing materials and investor presentations, and highlighted how these touchpoints are increasingly tested by regulators, competitors, consumers and NGOs. They analysed recent case law developments and their implications for Portuguese organisations, noting the emergence of more stringent evidentiary standards around disclosures and due‑diligence obligations. The panel concluded that sustainability claims can no longer be treated as aspirational messaging; they now carry the weight of binding legal obligations, requiring more rigorous internal validation and cross‑functional coordination.
The forum concluded with closing remarks from Francisco Castro, after which attendees were invited to continue their conversations over a light lunch, providing a relaxed setting to deepen connections and reflect on the themes explored throughout the morning.
Legal 500 extends its thanks to PLMJ for its collaboration in bringing this conference format to Portugal’s in‑house legal community. The team looks forward to returning soon for the launch event of this year’s GC Powerlist: Portugal.
