Team size: 30

How has your role as in-house counsel evolved over the past few years, particularly in response to shifting global or regional dynamics?

In the last few years, my role at Grupo Romero has significantly evolved in response to increasingly complex global and regional dynamics. This transformation has been driven by the group’s rapid expansion in Latin America, which has involved multiple cross-border transactions and entry into highly competitive and regulated markets. In this context, I have led legal teams specialising in corporate law, M&A, tax, labor, litigation, real estate, among others, becoming a key part of the success of this expansion and achieving satisfactory results for our shareholders. This has allowed us to provide strategic and transversal advice, while always maintaining the highest ethical standards and professional excellence.

How do you build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, especially in high-pressure or fast-moving scenarios?

As legal vice president of the Grupo Romero, with 31 years of experience advising the companies that comprise it, I have learned that trust and effective communication are key to building strong relationships with internal stakeholders. In high-pressure contexts, I prioritise quick and active attention, responding to client inquiries in a clear and concise manner, and showing continuous support aligned with their businesses. I maintain a close and accessible presence, integrating members of the legal department into multiple interactions with clients. This allows us to form and showcase a team that is always present and willing to support and respond to day-to-day challenges and inquiries.

What do you consider the biggest challenge for in-house legal teams today, and how are you addressing it within your own team?

The biggest challenge for in-house legal teams today is anticipating risks in an increasingly complex and changing regulatory environment. In the legal department, we address it by strengthening preventive legal intelligence, integrating into the business strategy from the early stages. We implement legal tech tools for efficiency and traceability. In addition, we promote a culture of cross-functional compliance and continuous training. In this way, the legal department positions itself as a strategic alliance for the companies that comprise Grupo Romero, and not merely a reactive one.

How do you cultivate legal talent internally, and what skills do you see as most essential for the next generation of in-house lawyers?

We cultivate legal talent through continuous training, continuous feedback, and participation in various Grupo Romero development projects. We encourage a business mindset, critical thinking, and communication skills with clients through the promotion of strategic alliances with Grupo Romero companies. For the next generation of in-house lawyers in the legal department, we value commitment, adaptability, technological mastery, and professional ethics. Our goal is to train lawyers who are strategic allies for the businesses of the Grupo Romero companies.