Director (Non-Soverign Operations, Legal Affairs) – The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), Colombia
1. How has the Covid-19 crisis affected the way you work as a lawyer? What are the key positives and negatives that have emerged out of lockdown?
The Covid-19 crisis has increased remote working and it has made it very clear to most companies that remote working can be a great alternative. The positives are many, but the main one is that it has accelerated digital transformation of companies and it has proven many skepticals that remote working can work. In terms of negatives, it has affected somehow team interaction, but as a millennial, I truly believe that team interaction can be great even if online only!
2. Will you and your company continue to use flexible and agile working in future? Will you reduce the size of your physical office space?
I understand that The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) is not reducing the size of its physical office space (we have offices in many of our 19-member countries). In terms of using flexible and agile working in the future, I understand this is being considered internally, however, the company is technologically ready for advancing the flexible and agile working agenda, if eventually the decision is to support it.
3. How have you employed legal tech during the crisis? What has been successful and what has been lacking?
Use of legal tech has been used throughout and before the crisis; we are using it for knowledge management and billing matters. Personally, I would increase the use of legal tech as much as possible.
4. How do you see the advancement of legal tech affecting the legal industry in the next 10 years?
The impact will be huge and somehow unforeseeable for many at this point.
5. Has your company changed its remuneration structure during the crisis?
No
6. Name one key thing that will be different in the legal profession in 10 years’ time.
I believe the one key thing that will be different is the interaction of the law and technology. Legal services of lower complexity/less sophistication will be carried by machines, and not by lawyers anymore. Lawyers will be more relevant in terms of legal services that will still require human interaction (i.e. complex negotiations and litigation).