Puerto Rico 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior legal counsel, Puerto Rico, Central America and Caribbean | ABB
Associate counsel | Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
Legal manager | Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico
Chief compliance and legal officer, country manager | Gamma International Bank
General counsel | Puerto Rico Telephone company - Claro PR
Chief legal officer and corporate secretary | Aerostar Airport Holdings
Associate director, legal and compliance for Puerto Rico, Central America and Caribbean | Merck & Co.
Deputy director, contract administration CDBG-DR/MIT program | Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH)
Chief legal officer | GENCO General Contractors
Director of intergovernmental affairs and senior executive advisor | AAFAF
Director of legal affairs | T-Mobile Puerto Rico
Chief compliance officer and general counsel | Parliament Capital Management
In-house counsel and compliance manager | metropistas
Director of legal affairs | Comision de Juegos del Gobierno de Puerto Rico
General counsel and compliance officer | Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
General counsel and administrator | Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
Director, commercial legal | Liberty of Puerto Rico
Executive director | Oficina de Presupuesto de la Asamblea Legilativa - OPAL
Executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary | MAPFRE Puerto Rico
Senior associate general counsel and SIU director | First Medical Health Plan
Executive vice president and general counsel | Grupo Larrea
Associate counsel | Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
Chief legal counsel | Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO)
Oversight manager for public corporations of the government of Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority
Executive vice president, and chief legal and administrative officer | Evertec
General counsel | Departamento de Desarrollo Economico y de Comercio
Restructuring director and acting chief legal officer | Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority
In-house counsel and risk management director | Ryder Memorial Hospital
Interim director of the legal affairs division | Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH)
Deputy general counsel | Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico
Vice president and general counsel | Northwestern Selecta
Acting director - Bureau of legal affairs | Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources
It is a true honour for me to present the Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Puerto Rico 2025. This third edition of the GC Powerlist series puts the spotlight on the outstanding in-house legal professionals who are shaping the Puerto Rican legal market. Your profound commitment to governance, innovation, and public trust, are positioning Puerto Rico’s, as one of the most dynamic and resilient jurisdictions in the region.
A defining theme of this year’s Powerlist is resilience in the face of uncertainty. Whether managing post-crisis reconstruction, navigating fiscal reform under PROMESA, or leading large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, Puerto Rican in-house lawyers have shown extraordinary adaptability and foresight while ensuring that every decision aligns with fiscal responsibility, social progress, and the rule of law.
Equally prominent is the emphasis on technological transformation. Many of this year’s powerlisters, from banking to manufacturing and energy, are leading the digitalisation of their legal departments, integrating AI and LegalTech tools to enhance compliance, operational efficiency, and decision-making. Their approach combines innovation with ethical responsibility, reinforcing data protection, transparency, and trust. As Sara Álvarez Cabrero, general counsel at FirstBank Puerto Rico, observed, “digital transformation is most successful when grounded in robust privacy frameworks and human judgment”. This sentiment, I believe, captures the pragmatic approach of Puerto Rican legal leadership today
At the same time, purpose-driven leadership stands out as a hallmark of this year’s powerlisters. From Yanira Belén-Cruz of Metropistas, whose advocacy for children’s rights extends beyond her corporate role, to Kevin Futch of Genera PR, who emphasises service and community impact through initiatives such as Genera Contigo, Puerto Rico’s in-house community continues to demonstrate that legal excellence and social responsibility are inseparable.
Another key thread running through this edition is the deep integration of legal strategy within business transformation. Whether it’s shaping investment and governance structures in the financial sector, supporting the island’s energy transition, or reimagining procurement and regulatory frameworks in public administration, Puerto Rico’s in-house leaders are helping their institutions anticipate change rather than respond to it.
Finally, what shines through above all is the human dimension of leadership. Across interviews, general counsel spoke passionately about cultivating ethical cultures, mentoring new generations, and promoting inclusivity within their teams. They recognise that resilience, whether organisational or personal, begins with people. It is this blend of integrity, empathy, and professionalism that sets Puerto Rico’s in-house counsel apart on both a regional and global stage.
From the Legal 500 team, we extend our warmest congratulations to all those featured in the third edition of the GC Powerlist: Puerto Rico 2025. Your innovation, leadership, and dedication to public and corporate good represent the best of our profession. It has been a privilege to share your stories and to celebrate the enduring impact you make every day.
Carmen Godoy Martin, Lead Researcher: GC Powerlist Puerto Rico 2025
On 26 February, Legal 500 returned to Lagos to launch the latest edition of the GC Powerlist: Nigeria, hosted at the exclusive Metropolitan Club and attended by more than 100 senior in‑house lawyers from across the country. The evening brought together many of Nigeria’s most influential corporate counsel for a programme that blended recognition, thought leadership and high‑level networking in a setting that reflected the prestige of the series. Honourees were celebrated for the impact they have made within their organisations, their contributions to the wider legal ecosystem and their ability to drive innovation and strategic value across sectors ranging from finance and energy to technology and consumer markets.
The event opened with remarks from David Freeman, Global Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who spoke about the significance of the GC Powerlist in Nigeria and the evolving role of in‑house counsel as strategic leaders. He highlighted the growing influence of general counsel in shaping governance, regulatory engagement and business transformation, setting a purposeful tone for the evening.
The programme continued with insights from two distinguished speakers. Adedoyin Afun, Partner at Bloomfield, offered a forward‑looking analysis of Nigeria’s regulatory and transactional landscape, noting the increasing pressures and opportunities facing in‑house teams as they navigate compliance shifts, cross‑border transactions and the expectation to operate as commercial partners. He was followed by keynote speaker Angela Omo‑Dare, retired General Counsel of Stanbic IBTC Group, whose reflective address on leadership, ethics and the long‑term development of legal teams resonated strongly with the audience. Drawing on her extensive career, she underscored the GC’s role as an ethical steward, culture‑shaper and trusted adviser to senior leadership.
After the formal proceedings, guests enjoyed dinner and continued discussions on emerging trends shaping the Nigerian legal landscape, from regulatory reform and investment flows to legal operations and talent development. The atmosphere remained warm and engaged throughout, reinforcing the sense of community that has become synonymous with the GC Powerlist.
Overall, the GC Powerlist: Nigeria 2026 launch event ultimately reaffirmed Legal 500’s commitment to celebrating and elevating the work of general counsel in one of Africa’s most dynamic markets. With its combination of high‑calibre speakers, strong industry representation and meaningful recognition, the event stood out as a defining moment in the 2026 calendar and further strengthened the platform’s role as a convening force for leadership and professional excellence within Nigeria’s in‑house legal community.
Legal 500 extends its sincere thanks to Bloomfield Law for its invaluable support of this year’s publication.
