The Pan-American University (Santa Fe Campus) was this week the meeting point for legal directors, general counsel and partners of international firms in the new edition of the Mexico 2025 Legal Management Forum, organized by Gericó Associates.
During the day, experts analyzed the main challenges facing legal departments in Mexico and the region, from global regulatory risks to the judicialization of climate activism, and the impact of artificial intelligence on corporate practice.
The opening ceremony was led by Marc Gericó, global managing partner of Gericó Associates, and Guillermo Tenorio, dean of the School of Government and Economics at Universidad Panamericana, who highlighted the strategic role of in-house lawyers in an increasingly complex business environment.
The first panel, titled “Global Governance and Regulatory Risks for Mexican Companies,” featured Christian Paredes (SAP), Elisa Cornejo (Iké Grupo Empresarial), Karina Hernández (Newrest), and Rafael López (Xiaomi Technology), moderated by Orlando Cabrera (Hogan Lovells). The discussion focused on the importance of strengthening cross-border compliance in the face of complex scenarios such as transparency, fintech, tax evasion, and global oversight. During his remarks, Christian Paredes, compliance officer at SAP Mexico, emphasized: “Ethics and money are not mutually exclusive. I am convinced that companies, and all of us, are capable of doing things right so that the business environment and integrity in the country can prevail over what is happening at the macro level.”
Later, in the second panel, “National Security and Constitutional Reforms: A New Legal Landscape for Business?”, Alejandro Athie (Bank of America), Angélica Santiago (IBM), and Carlos Ferran Martínez (Ferran Martínez Abogados) participated, moderated by Juan Francisco Torres-Landa (Hogan Lovells). The debate centered on the impact of the most disruptive legislative reforms of the last two decades on business operations. In this context, Juan Francisco Torres-Landa, lead partner for Latin America practice at Hogan Lovells, emphasized: “Mexico is at a unique crossroads, with many challenges, but also many opportunities. Companies that can adapt and modify their previous practices will be the ones that succeed. Those that don't will face more difficulties. But there is a positive atmosphere, and I am confident that companies will make the most of this complex situation.”
The morning continued with the third panel, dedicated to “Corruption and Corporate Compliance in High-Risk Environments.” Participants included Antonio Cárdenas (DLA Piper), Jorge Casillas (Gaya Sinergia Constructiva), Juan Nito (The Vanguard Group), and Oscar Rodrigo (Komatsu), moderated by Guillermo Larrea (Hogan Lovells). The panel delved into the ethical and reputational challenges companies face in highly demanding regulatory environments. Jorge Casillas, general counsel and director of corporate affairs at GAYA Sinergia Constructiva Mexico, explained: “Culture is a crucial aspect for implementing a robust compliance system. Without the support of the organization’s leaders, we won’t have the solid foundation to achieve it.”
After a brief pause, the day resumed with the fourth panel, entitled “Climate Litigation and New ESG Obligations.” In it, Luis Felipe Villaseñor (Braskem Idesa), Eduardo Rodríguez (Grupo Cobra), and Juan Pablo Sandoval (COMAD), moderated by Marc Gericó, reflected on how climate activism is becoming increasingly subject to litigation and what implications this has for companies with a large environmental footprint.
The fifth panel, one of the most anticipated, revolved around “AI and Legal Automation: From Ethical Risk to Strategic Opportunity.” It brought together Benito Pedemonte (Marsh McLennan), Efraín Tapia (Genomma Lab), Erick Castellanos (Ecopetrol), Florencia Ortiz (Greening), Odeth Zepeda (Sizzling Platter), and Walter Álvarez (NIUBIZ), moderated by Ricardo Mendoza (DLA Piper). The discussion explored how the role of the corporate lawyer is transforming in the face of the rise of generative AI. In this context, Benito Pedemonte, Chief Counsel VP – Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay at Marsh McLennan, stated: “I believe that giving legal departments the opportunity to address the challenges of their respective departments, by combining technical and legal issues with team management, is crucial. And it's important to be able to share this with other law firms and general counsel, allowing us to find common ground and add value within our organizations, recognizing that our departments are not necessarily core to the business. I believe the Gericó Associates team is fostering this kind of opportunity.”
Finally, the event concluded with the sixth panel, “International Arbitration and Global Disputes: Mexico as a Key Venue.” The panel included Andrés Donoso (Robalino), Frida Altamirano (CAM), Leandro Caputto (Capparelli, D'Angelo & Caputo), Omar Guerrero (Hogan Lovells), and Viviana Castro (GEEP), moderated by Juan José Flores (PFHR Abogados). The experts agreed that Mexico is consolidating its position as a strategic venue for international dispute resolution, underscoring its relevance within the global arbitration landscape.
The closing ceremony was led by Marc Gericó and Héctor Casillas, Director of Postgraduate Studies at Universidad Panamericana, who thanked the panelists, sponsors, media partners, and allied institutions such as the Arbitration Center of Mexico (CAM) and the Miami International Arbitration Society.
The Legal Management Forum Mexico 2025 reaffirmed its role as an exclusive meeting space for in-house lawyers, with the support of international firms such as DLA Piper, Robalino, Hogan Lovells, Ferran Martínez Abogados, Capparelli D'Angelo & Caputo, BIGLE and vLex.
Gericó Associates confirmed that the next editions of the Legal Management Forum will take place in 2026.
