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
Legal 500’s GC Summit Netherlands brought together leading in-house counsel and legal experts at The Renaissance in Amsterdam for a half-day of focused discussions and networking. The programme provided practical insights into how legal teams are adapting their roles amid growing geopolitical, technological, and regulatory pressures.
The event opened with a presentation by Mariken van Loopik, partner at Linklaters, who examined how geopolitical developments are reshaping expectations of legal advisers. The session highlighted the increasing need for both in-house and external counsel to adopt a more strategic approach, integrating compliance, risk management, and commercial awareness into their work.
The next session turned to the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. Moderated by Allan Cohen, senior research editor at Legal 500, the panel featured Anastasia Scrève of LEGALFLY, Mateusz Wrzesinski of Barilla, and Gitte Groenewold-Wong of Prosus. The discussion focused on practical steps for using AI tools responsibly, with speakers addressing issues such as data protection, accountability, and day-to-day governance. Panellists shared approaches that help legal teams use technology effectively without compromising professional standards.
After a networking break, the summit moved to sustainability and reporting obligations in the session on legal pitfalls and climate reporting in 2025. Moderated by Daniella Strik, partner at Linklaters, the panel brought together Marco Frikkee of KPMG, Suzanne Debrichy of PostNL, and Anne-Lize van Dusseldorp of Aalberts N.V. The speakers discussed the legal risks associated with forward-looking climate statements, the challenges of preparing 2025 annual reports, and the practical decisions general counsel must navigate as climate-related disclosures expand.
The programme continued with a session on the evolving role of the general counsel, considering how senior in-house lawyers balance legal risk with wider organisational priorities. Speakers shared examples of how GCs contribute to business strategy, embed legal thinking into operational decisions, and support their organisations in fast-moving environments.
The summit concluded with a discussion on regulatory developments in the financial sector. Moderated by Allan Cohen, the session featured insights from Fleur de Roos of Fourthline and Mischa Menheere of Investancia Group. Panellists considered shifting supervisory expectations, cross-border complications, and emerging areas of regulatory focus, offering practical guidance for legal teams working in financial and corporate contexts.
We extend our sincere thanks to our headline sponsor, Linklaters, and to LEGALFLY for their support. We look forward to welcoming attendees again at the next edition of the GC Summit Netherlands.
