General counsel, chief legal officer | Iberostar Group
Secretary general and global head of legal | Grupo Secuoya
Global general counsel | Acciona Concesiones
Business and global coordination legal director, secretary of the compliance and audit committee | Iberdrola
Legal director Spain and Latam | Intelcia
Group head of corporate legal and vice-secretary of the board | Banco Santander
General manager corporate governance and legal affairs, secretary of the board | Abanca
Directora de regulacion y servicios juridicos | Grupo Red Electrica
Director of legal advice and internal audit | Grupo Central Lechera Asturiana
Global counsel - regulatory compliance and disputes | Spotify
General counsel and secretary board of directors | Olympic Broadcasting services
General counsel and regulatory affairs | Telefónica
Global deputy general counsel, global corporate legal director, director to the board of directors | Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentación
General secretary and first deputy secretary | Iberdrola
Head of legal corporate and investment banking Germany | Banco Santander
Leading research for the maiden edition of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Spain: Latin America Specialists was a great honour. It was characterised by a high level of engagement, a variety of extensive interviews and an opportunity to identify and liaise with Latin America specialists based in Spain and beyond. I am certainly appreciative of the time spared by these brilliant in-house lawyers to share their plans for their organisations and the investments and transactions they are leading their companies through in Latin America.
Against a backdrop of vast political and regulatory changes in Latin America, GCs are committed to reinforcing their company’s presence within Latin America. In the words of Alejandro Rincón Nieto, chief legal officer of Almar Water Solutions, ‘we will maintain our investment targets, provided the exchange rates and inflation compared to dollar remains assumable, and regulatory changes, like in Chile and Perú, do not harm carrying out business in the country.’ Other GCs such as the group legal counsel of Urban Developers and Investors, agreed with the sentiments about their organisation’s plans too, ‘Urban Developers and Investors are actively looking for new potential projects in Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia with the aim of extending our presence in the region.’
Moreover, many general counsel interviewed confirmed that the context of the pandemic had given them unique challenges doing business in Latin America. The majority of interviews were characterised by GC’s innovative solutions to handling the gravity of the effects of the pandemic on the region, such as contractual shielding to protect their organisations. Succinctly put by David Burger, the legal department manager of GAM, ‘our strategy consists of inorganic growth taking advantage of the global market situation, focusing our operational growth on businesses without capex, especially the distribution, maintenance and training line of business and limiting our exposure to risk through contractual shielding of our commercial relationships.’
Despite the political and economic volatility that countries in Latin America experience, GCs in this edition of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Spain: Latin America Specialists 2022 remain committed to leading their companies through hefty investments into the region. The relationship between Spain and Latin America remains fertile, with efforts being directed to increasing hiring efforts and interest in incorporating support from local companies. In the words of the director of legal advice and internal audit of CAPSA, Manual Morales Zapata, ‘We consider the LaAm market of maximum interest. We intend to continue the existing operations with the same clients and interlocutors, whom we already know, and to go little by little to increase the market.’
Summarily, these interviews conducted allowed for a brilliant and sound publication which sheds light on challenges in doing business in Latin America, pioneering solutions to these challenges and focuses on the historic relationship between the Latin American region and Spain.
We are glad to have such an esteemed list of leading legal professionals actively participating in this publication. It was such a pleasure to hear their highlights in their line of work and encapsulate their motivation in this publication. Tonight, they join hundreds of legal professionals globally located, in being recognised as Latin America Specialists in Spain and beyond. Congratulations to all the brilliant, innovative leading in-house counsel of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Spain: Latin America Specialists 2022!
Melissa Yebisi| Research Analyst
On 15th May 2025, Legal 500 celebrated the 2025 edition of its GC Powerlist: Austria in the historic offices of CERHA HEMPEL. This year’s Powerlist once again recognises a stellar collection of the country’s top senior in-house counsel, and leading practitioners came together to celebrate their achievement.
The evening commenced with a welcome from Isabel Caine, Event Content Editor at Legal 500, followed by an address from CERHA HEMPEL managing partner Albert Birkner.
Nicole Christ, Head of Legal at RHI Magnesita, then took to the stage to deliver a topical and considered keynote speech on key challenges in-house counsel face in today’s market and some of the curveballs, such as rapid advancements in AI, being thrown their way. Christ spoke to the constant adaptability, resilience and growth expected of general counsel – qualities demonstrated by those in the room.
The convivial atmosphere in the room saw honourees collect their certificates and take their picture with Isabel and Albert, with each other, their colleagues, and with various partners from CERHA HEMPEL. Attendees then enjoyed further networking opportunities, accompanied by drinks and canapés.
Legal 500 would like to thank CERHA HEMPEL for sponsoring the GC Powerlist Austria: 2025 and extend a warm and well-deserved congratulations to everyone who made it onto the list.
