Panamerican University (Santa Fe Campus) became the meeting point for legal directors, general counsels, and partners from international law firms during the new edition of the General Counsel Forum Mexico 2025, organized by Gericó Associates.

Throughout the day, experts analyzed the main challenges faced by legal departments in Mexico and across the region — from global regulatory risks to the judicialization of climate activism, and the impact of artificial intelligence on corporate legal practice.

The event opened with remarks by Marc Gericó, Global Managing Partner at Gericó Associates, and Guillermo Tenorio, Dean of the School of Government and Economics at Panamerican University, who underscored the strategic role of in-house counsel 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 amid complex scenarios involving transparency, fintech, tax evasion, and global oversight. During his intervention, Christian Paredes, Compliance Officer at SAP Mexico, emphasized:

“Ethics and profit are not mutually exclusive. I’m convinced that companies — and all of us — can act with integrity so that a culture of business ethics in our country can prevail over the broader macroeconomic challenges.”

The second panel, “National Security and Constitutional Reforms: A New Legal Landscape for Business?”, brought together Alejandro Athie (Bank of America), Angélica Santiago (IBM), and Carlos Ferran Martínez (Ferran Martínez Abogados), moderated by Juan Francisco Torres-Landa (Hogan Lovells). The debate examined how Mexico’s most disruptive legislative reforms of the past two decades have impacted business operations. In that context, Torres-Landa, Latin America Practice Leader at Hogan Lovells, stated:

“Mexico is at a unique crossroads with many challenges but also many opportunities. Companies that adapt and evolve will succeed — those that don’t will face greater difficulties. But there’s an overall sense of optimism, and I’m confident companies will find ways to thrive in this complex environment.”

Ethical and reputational challenges faced by companies in highly regulated environments

The morning continued with the third panel, “Corruption and Corporate Compliance in High-Risk Environments,”featuring 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 amid growing regulatory demands. Jorge Casillas, General Counsel and Corporate Affairs Director at GAYA Sinergia Constructiva Mexico, noted:

“Culture plays a key role in implementing a robust compliance system. Without support from leadership, there’s no solid foundation for compliance.”

After a short break, the fourth panel, “Climate Litigation and New ESG Obligations,” featured Luis Felipe Villaseñor (Braskem Idesa), Eduardo Rodríguez (Grupo Cobra), and Juan Pablo Sandoval (COMAD), moderated by Marc Gericó. Speakers discussed how climate activism is increasingly moving into the courts and what this means for companies with significant environmental footprints.

One of the most anticipated sessions, the fifth panel — “AI and Legal Automation: From Ethical Risk to Strategic Opportunity” — 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 rise of generative AI is reshaping the role of corporate lawyers. Benito Pedemonte, Chief Counsel VP – Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay at Marsh McLennan, shared:

“The space provided for legal departments to address both technical-legal issues and team management is extremely valuable. Sharing these perspectives with law firms and other general counsels helps us find balance and create value within our organizations — especially as legal teams are not always seen as part of the business core. Gericó Associates is fostering a truly meaningful space with this initiative.”

The final panel, “International Arbitration and Global Disputes: Mexico as a Key Venue,” featured 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 hub for international dispute resolution, reinforcing its importance within the global arbitration landscape.

The closing remarks were delivered by Marc Gericó and Héctor Casillas, Director of Graduate Programs at Panamerican University, who thanked panelists, sponsors, media partners, and allied institutions such as the Centro de Arbitraje de México (CAM) and the Miami International Arbitration Society.

The General Counsel Forum Mexico 2025 reaffirmed its position as an exclusive meeting space for in-house counsel, supported by international firms such as DLA Piper, Robalino, Hogan Lovells, Ferran Martínez Abogados, Capparelli D’Angelo & Caputo, BIGLE, and vLex.

The next editions of the General Counsel Forum will take place in 2026.