Benito Zelaya, managing partner of Lexincorp – Honduras, believes that perseverance is key to achieving the desired results, and he also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning as a foundation for better understanding his environment. “Since I began studying law, I haven't stopped learning, not only in specializations related to my field, but also in complementary subjects that have helped me grow both personally and professionally.”
His professional focus is on efficient dispute resolution and continuous improvement. He is one of the youngest managing partners at a regional firm and is also a member of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Today, Benito Zelaya, our guest for the special on the most outstanding managing partners in Latin America, comes across as a family man, committed to the well-being of his loved ones and who values personal relationships. He believes in the importance of empathy with his peers, which, he says, translates into loyalty.
What are the most important lessons you have learned throughout your career?
I believe one of the most important lessons I've learned is that nothing is constant and that one must be prepared for change; that is, we must be resilient and adapt, be flexible to new approaches, methodologies, and undoubtedly to the advancement of technology.
Another lesson I've learned is the importance of teamwork; many heads are better than one, which leads to greater creativity and appreciation of diverse skills and perspectives, resulting in stronger and more successful outcomes.
Effective time management and prioritization has been a crucial lesson; over the years I have learned to prioritize, set achievable goals so as not to feel frustrated, and maintain a balance between efficiency and quality of work.In short, I believe these lessons have helped me to hone my discipline.
How do you see the outlook in Honduras and Latin America in general, from the perspective of the areas the firm leads, for 2024?
We observe a landscape that continues to evolve and presents interesting challenges. First, we see a constantly changing legal environment, driving the need to adapt to new economic, social, and technological dynamics, both nationally and regionally.
Regarding practice areas, we are committed to the continuous training of our team to stay at the forefront and offer innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients, in areas such as corporate law, competition, tax, labor, administrative, regulated sectors such as banking, insurance, energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, new technologies, among others, both in the substantive preventive transactional area and in the area of litigation and arbitration in the different matters.
Furthermore, within a Latin American context, we observe increasing interconnectedness among the region's countries, presenting opportunities for business expansion and cross-border collaboration. At the same time, this also necessitates addressing complex legal issues related to international regulation, data protection, and jurisdictional dispute resolution.
What challenges and opportunities does the firm foresee facing in the coming months, for example, in the areas of dispute resolution?
One of the main challenges we anticipate is keeping up to date with changes in legislation, which requires a continuous dedication to training and monitoring new trends.
Changes in legislation can infringe on rights and obligations related to investments, situations that provoke claims and become litigation against the State or vice versa, so we see exciting opportunities to be able to provide innovative solutions and effective strategies for conflict resolution.
What growth forecast do you have for 2024 at the local and regional level?
We are very excited about our local and regional growth. We anticipate increased demand for our legal services due to the country's changing investment policies and the region's continued economic and business development. We look forward to further consolidating our presence in the local market by strengthening relationships with existing clients and attracting new business through the provision of high-quality services and innovative solutions.
At the regional level, in Latin America and Europe, we also see significant growth opportunities. The interconnectedness of countries in the region and the increasing cross-border business activity are generating a growing demand for world-class, specialized legal services with practices in corporate, financial, and compliance law, including ESG, as well as international commercial and investment arbitration. We are committed to and will capitalize on these opportunities by expanding our offices and strengthening our capabilities to meet our clients' legal needs.
Where are they in position and where are they headed this year?
We are very proud of the work we have accomplished as a team in recent years throughout the region. We currently lead in areas such as dispute resolution and commercial law, among others, which have been recognized by international directories such as Chambers and Partners. This demonstrates that we are providing a high-quality service and that our clients are satisfied with our practices.
In 2024, we are committed to driving innovation in the legal field throughout the region, creating cutting-edge solutions that will transform legal practice. Our innovative approach continues to allow us to enter new markets and generate better business opportunities in the legal industry.
In short…
Who (for better or for worse) has been the person who has most influenced your career? My mother. She has always motivated me to achieve what I have set out to do. Why? Because of her constant perseverance, her example of raising her family, and her tireless guidance and advice. Any advice for the new generation of lawyers? [En pocas palabras…1] Discipline, strength, perseverance, and sacrifice to achieve your goals. [/En pocas palabras…1] [En pocas palabras…2] Are you good at cooking? What is your signature dish? [/En pocas palabras…2] [En pocas palabras…4]Pasta with seafood.[/En pocas palabras…4] [En pocas palabras…5] A key to success? [/En pocas palabras…5] [En pocas palabras…7]Perseverance and discipline.[/En pocas palabras…7] [En pocas palabras…8] What inspires you? [/En pocas palabras…8] [En pocas palabras…0]My family.[/En pocas palabras…0]
