United Kingdom 2016
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
For the 2016 edition of GC Powerlist we return to the original format of the report – launched in 2013 – focusing on senior general counsel (GCs). Over that time, the report has expanded hugely to become one of the most important strands of Legalease’s portfolio. Expanding the report also reflects the reality that in understanding GCs, you need to look at the specifics. While law firms operate on a few variants of the same model, in-house teams are defined much more by the industry and the individual company in which they work.
But there are broad trends as well. The upward march of the in-house profession that this report was originally launched to chronicle has, if anything, accelerated. While law firms are struggling for growth in many sectors, in-house teams continue to expand in the UK and take on greater swathes of work. It’s becoming increasingly mainstream to encounter teams with multimillion-pound budgets that put only a tiny minority of their work to law firms. Where they are instructing outside counsel, a good proportion of GCs now barely bother to conceal their tactic of pushing law firms down the value chain… and their teams correspondingly upwards.
RPC’s managing partner on how the modern GC made law a part of business (and vice versa).
It was late 2012 when RPC first became involved with Legal Business’ GC Powerlist. Back then, over four years after Lehman Brothers collapsed, the world economy was still looking parlous.
Another four years on and, although we’re now certainly on a firmer footing economically, there are still plenty of reasons to be fearful, or at least cautious, over what the future might hold for businesses: the slowdown in China; the collapse in the price of oil; stock market woes, here and in Asia; and uncertainty surrounding Britain’s possible exit from Europe, to name just a few.
Jonathan Watmough
Managing Partner
RPC
It has been a great honour for Legal 500 to introduce the third edition of the GC Powerlist: Puerto Rico 2025 in San Juan, celebrating the outstanding in-house professionals shaping this jurisdiction’s corporate legal landscape.
This year’s reception welcomed general counsel, chief legal officers, legal directors and other leading corporate legal figures from across industries based in Puerto Rico, recognising their contributions to governance, innovation and public trust in the in-house legal sphere. This spirit is positioning Puerto Rico’s, as one of the most dynamic and resilient jurisdictions in the region.
Carmen Godoy, lead editor of this edition of the GC Powerlist: Puerto Rico at Legal 500, opened the evening by addressing the approximately 50 corporate legal professionals across industries who attended the reception in San Juan. In her remarks, Godoy highlighted how the research conducted for this edition revealed the remarkable resilience and human-centered approach of Puerto Rico’s in-house legal community. From being an example of adaptability and foresight when managing post-crisis reconstruction and fiscal reforms, to combining technological innovation with ethical responsibility, Puerto Rican legal leaders’ blend of integrity, empathy and purpose-driven leadership sets them as referents in their sectors.
Following Godoy, Miriam Figueroa, managing partner of DLA Piper Puerto Rico, and our hosts of the evening, addressed the audience with some remarks that highlighted the resilience of an in-house community that, in the face of uncertainty, has helped the region keep thriving and growing its relevance in the global stage.
After Figueroa’s remarks, Godoy proceeded with the certificate’s ceremony, in which each powerlister was invited to the stage to collect their certificate.
This year’s GC Powerlist event in Puerto Rico served as a great opportunity for the awardees to meet and exchange reflections with their professional peers and the Legal 500 team.
On behalf of the entire team at Legal 500, we extend our warmest congratulations to all those included in the third edition of the GC Powerlist: Puerto Rico. You stand as an example of resilience, leadership, and vision.
We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to DLA Piper, our sponsors, for joining us in recognising the exceptional talent driving progress across Puerto Rico’s legal profession. And, of course, to each of the honourees who shared their time and insights with us. It has been a privilege to share your stories and to celebrate the enduring impact you make every day.
