I am thrilled to present, on behalf of The Legal 500, the latest edition of the GC Powerlist: Uruguay. This eagerly awaited publication celebrates the exceptional achievements of the nation’s leading in-house lawyers.

This edition showcases the significant impact of in-house counsel on businesses in Uruguay, emphasising their expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication to excellence. This year’s edition celebrates their remarkable achievements and inventive strategies as they navigate an ever more intricate and demanding landscape.

Readers will find detailed profiles and exclusive interviews with the most esteemed and influential in-house lawyers from diverse industries in Uruguay. These professionals exhibit remarkable expertise in shaping legal strategy, managing risks, and delivering strategic guidance to their organisations. Their accomplishments not only serve as an inspiration to the legal community but also highlight the crucial role in-house lawyers play in driving their companies’ business strategies and overall success.

Our research focused on highlighting the pivotal role of legal departments in safeguarding their organisations against instability and crises. As José Juan Gari Schauricht, Director of Legal, Risk, and Compliance at Aiva, notes, “I view crises as opportunities for organisational growth. For legal, compliance, and risk management teams, they represent moments to shine in environments where other departments, such as sales, often take the spotlight. To excel, it is crucial to align with the company’s overarching strategy and senior management. Understanding business objectives allows us to identify potential risks before they arise and to regularly develop and update crisis scenarios. Furthermore, outlining possible issues and integrating action plans within the organisation’s overall crisis management strategy is imperative. During a crisis, teamwork and communication—both internal and external—are essential, alongside ensuring compliance and collaboration across teams. Strong leadership skills, in conjunction with legal expertise, are crucial for maintaining stability.”

Our findings also emphasise the ongoing need for enhanced risk assessment and management, as well as improved communication with other departments to build organisational resilience. Carolina Rodríguez Zunino, Deputy General Counsel at Corporación América Airports, aptly describes the situation: “The legal landscape can shift rapidly during crises, often due to significant changes in legislation or the introduction of urgent regulations. I prioritise flexibility in our legal strategies and continuously map the situation in the countries where we operate, evaluating how our peers are responding […] It is also crucial to share as much information as possible with our team and colleagues in other areas, as well as to clarify the rationale behind significant decisions or those affecting the team or the company. Ultimately, collaborating closely with management ensures our legal approaches align with the company’s objectives, contributing to resilience and long-term success.”

Within this publication, readers will find exclusive content addressing various pertinent topics and challenges faced by Uruguay-based in-house lawyers and their teams. Through their experiences and insights, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape in Uruguay, highlighting the indispensable role played by in-house legal teams.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the featured in-house lawyers for their invaluable contributions and for generously sharing their professional journeys with us. We are proud to present this distinguished list, showcasing Uruguay’s most outstanding, dedicated, and celebrated in-house lawyers.

Sara Maggi| Deputy Editor – The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series