About

Francisco Acuña is one of a small number of lawyers employed by Ciena, a global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software and services. Although Ciena posted revenues of $2.6bn last year it is advised by a team of just 14 lawyers (nine of whom are based in the US). As a result, Acuña, like all of Ciena’s legal team, is expected to contribute far beyond his official responsibilities. In addition to handling Ciena’s legal affairs arising in and related to the Latin America region, Acuña is responsible for engaging with internet content providers who serve as Ciena’s clients and suppliers, including tech giants such as Google and Microsoft. He also sits as a member of its regional compliance committee and is in charge of company-wide compliance programs in the region. Before joining Ciena in 2013 he was corporate counsel and, later, senior corporate counsel at Level 3 Communications, with his responsibilities including supporting all legal affairs in its Latin America division. He has also held a number of in-house roles, including at telecoms companies 360 Networks (now Globenet) and AT&T and global publishing house Bertelsmann.