Meet the members: Latin American Regional Forum

Jaime Carey

Carey, Santiago

Why did you become a lawyer? What do you like most about being a lawyer?

My two grandfathers, my father and my three brothers were lawyers. Therefore I think it is in the genes. I was always tempted to be a lawyer, although I also liked business and numbers. I therefore started to study law in Spain in ICADE, where there was a special programme where in six years you could obtain a law degree and the equivalent of an MBA. Unfortunately I could not finish as I returned to Chile and just continued to study law. What I like most about being a lawyer is the possibility of being involved in many different industries and learning how they all work – their challenges, their opportunities, their business models, etc. I have always been involved in corporate and tax law, which has given me the opportunity to be creative and develop structures that go beyond the typical legal work. This has always been more challenging and has given me the opportunity to see issues not only from the legal perspective, but also from the business and entrepreneurial perspective. Representing international companies and local economic groups and families, I have also participated in many boards. This circumstance coupled with my business approach to law, has given me a unique opportunity to be involved and learn very much, with respect to many industry and services areas as well as the ins and outs of the corporate and business world.

How is the IBA relevant in your career? What do you believe is the most important role of the IBA (and the LARF)?

This will be my 38th year in the IBA. It is practically a lifetime in my career as a lawyer and which I have thoroughly enjoyed. For me the IBA has been wonderful from a professional and personal perspective. The IBA is a long-term proposal that permits one to create and grow an enormous network, of lawyers, firms and friends. It is an important basis and foundation to strengthen a practice or a firm. It is incredible over the years how the network grows and how one ends up having a friend or a known lawyer in almost every country in the world. In addition, with all its committees and substantive programmes, in special conferences and annual meetings, it gives its members access to knowledge and experience in all areas of law. Furthermore, through other academic, judicial, social and law firm programmes hosted by its different constituencies, the IBA members may learn and be involved and exchange experience in many areas of the legal profession, with an international perspective from all corners of the world.

From a very personal perspective, as one of the founding members of LARF and as one of its first Chairmen, I am very proud of what we have achieved. We were able to change the perception that most of the members had of Latin America. Normally Latin Americans were perceived as being disorganised, as having the ‘mañana’ syndrome, of not complying with deadlines, etc. We became one of the best organised regional fora (used as an example for others), also admired for the camaraderie and friendship among our members. We became in attendance the largest growing and well-organised regional conferences in all of the IBA. The growing network of LARF had been formidable and has attracted many lawyers from different parts of the world that enjoy the Latin meetings and events and speak very highly of all of us.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

The biggest challenge in my career has been to manage our firm and to get it to be the largest full service firm in Chile, with an organic growth and to have obtained a very important recognition from international firms and ranking agencies. Dealing with lawyers is an important challenge and to create a culture of a ‘one firm firm’, where everyone steers in the same direction in benefit of the institution rather than of themselves, is a very gratifying achievement.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

I have eight children and 11 grandchildren, so that is a big task from a family perspective in itself. I enjoy very much travelling and I try to plan family trips. I normally spend the summers with all of the family in a lake house and also enjoy watersports, fishing, golf and other sports. I am a frustrated carpenter/plumber/electrician and a general handyman and I enjoy very much building and fixing things around the house by having constant projects that never end.

What advice would you give to someone in the beginning of their career as a lawyer?

It is important to understand that all clients are people and that you have to solve ‘their’ problems. One must learn to be empathetic with the clients and understand what their concerns and worries are. Clients are not abstract entities and their problems are not abstract, therefore if one doesn’t put himself in the clients shoes it is very difficult to give advice that will be meaningful and useful. Law is a people’s profession and one has to understand how to deal with people’s problems. I believe all lawyers have to be a part psychologist or counselor, not only with clients but also with their colleagues in a firm.

Moira Huggard-Caine

TozziniFreire, São Paulo

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Why did you become a lawyer? What do you like most about being a lawyer?

I am passionate about justice, integrity, ethics and social equality. Social progress, impartiality and treating people fairly are my internal motivations and drive of all my efforts when I position myself and argue to invite change, especially when I am faced with situations of grievance, bias, inequity or the like.

I have been exceptionally privileged to be a partner of TozziniFreire whose culture supports these values. There I have been given the opportunity to dedicate a substantial part of my career to voluntary work and lobby for changes in our profession, both in my work and with IBA and other legal associations.

How is the IBA relevant in your career? What do you believe is the most important role of the IBA (and the LARF)?

The IBA is a multi-cultural friendly community that allows me to interact with diverse individuals. It allows me the opportunity to learn their customs, practices and rules of conduct. It has provided me with an extraordinary professional and personal experience which has resulted in strong and long-lasting friendships, excellent business opportunities as well as learning opportunities, through the comprehensive range of conferences it offers.

The IBA has many important roles through its different constituencies. Each complements the other and, it’s difficult to determine which is more important.

LARF echoes the model of the Association, enhancing the initiatives and proposals introduced there, creating and proposing new ones, a true example of what collaboration and friendship can achieve, allowing us to be increasingly successful.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

Challenges always motivate me. Give me a challenge and I will dig deep into it.

I have undergone several through my career, but probably the most testing one was a relatively simple incident which taught me a hefty lesson very early on.

I was invited to speak at a Conference organised by the Brazilian Federal Bar Association. I was comfortable I could wing it with my basic PowerPoint presentation.

At that time, I was terribly busy, overworked due to a closing an important deal and did not check the details of the event. I arrived at the Conference room about five minutes before the event and was surprised by the fact that it was not a presentation, but a panel with five other authorities and an audience multiple times larger than what I expected. Panic ensued, but I took a deep breath and faced the challenge. Most important, I learned an invaluable lesson: check out what you have agreed to! So you come prepared.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

I love my handicrafts! Give me wool, string, needles, glue, wood, paint, whatever and off I wander into a world of creativity and pure delight. That keeps me busy, concentrated and involved for hours. When the outcome is not exactly what I expected, I will simply start all over again. I will venture into tapestry, sewing, painting, candles, decorations or whatever I can find. I also enjoy fixing or refurbishing broken things and have a special passion for gardening. You will find me with gardening scissors fiercely clipping dried leaves all the time, even when I visit my sister or close friends.

What advice would you give to someone in the beginning of their career as a lawyer?

To be successful, a lawyer must have a purpose and be passionate about the profession because it demands constant effort to keep up to date in the ever-changing legal environment in Brazil.

Our country has a complex and comprehensive legislation that changes almost faster than the speed of light. The challenge for those determined to pursue a legal career is to keep up the endless pursuit of staying relevant, by submerging in reading and interpreting new legislation relentlessly.

Tell us a funny story of a unique moment you’ve experienced at an IBA Conference

That is easy. It involves David Beckham, when he was at the top of his career. During the Madrid Annual Conference, I went out for a nice local restaurant with a group of friends, which included, among others, Almudena, Horacio, Fernando Pelaez-Pier and Rubens Approbato Machado, who was at that time, President of the São Paulo Bar. When we arrived, sitting in a table next to us, there was none other than David and Victoria Beckham.

A challenge was launched: would I be bold enough to ask for his autograph? I still have it!

The story has a long tail, since after this occasion, every time Rubens saw me at an event or in the audience of a conference I got teased with his announcement to the crowd as he disclosed the story with the phrase ‘I am standing in front of a successful lawyer who had guts and humility to get Beckham’s autograph!’

Say no more! ​​​​​​​

Marcela Hughes

Strategy and Business Design, Montevideo

Why did you become a lawyer? What do you like most about being a lawyer?

I remember being a child and having big family dinner tables with a lot of argumentation going on. Both my grandfathers were lawyers and so was my father. And the rest of the family acted as though they were. Debating, I guess, was part of my life. But what got me here was a strong passion for justice and for interacting with other people. With time, my own interest changed slightly. I realised even experienced businessmen when challenged with certain questions did not know what to answer, how to manage certain situations or that they had not considered the issue from different viewpoints. So, my purpose became helping businessmen, and lawyers too, to really find out what they need and help them achieve it in the best possible manner. Instead of providing solutions, my biggest asset and what I enjoy most today, is asking the right questions.

How is the IBA relevant in your career? What do you believe is the most important role of the IBA (and the LARF)?

The IBA gave me a great exposure to international lawyers and, in particular the LARF, many dear friends.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

It is a tough question for me. I have always enjoyed very much what I do, so I think I have not thought of challenges as such.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

Reading is like meditating in my case. It carries me away leaving behind what is going on around. On the other hand, I like to meet and interact with people. With time, I have learned that spending time with different people motivates and energises me. My best ideas come during interaction and not in solitude. In addition to learning from others naturally, I am very curious and a life-long learner. Travelling is another great passion.

What advice would you give to someone in the beginning of their career as a lawyer?

We are educated and trained to provide certainty to our clients and to avoid risks, so lawyers tend to feel uncomfortable with uncertainty. The world is changing at a frenzied pace and the only certainty is constant change. We need to leave behind our fixed mindsets and change to growth mindsets, acknowledging that we need to unlearn, learn and relearn constantly. Abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication  – in addition to technical ones naturally – are absolutely essential for the success of any organisation. Young lawyers must acknowledge this from day one if they want to be successful in today’s world.

Tell us a funny story of a unique moment you’ve experienced at an IBA Conference

‘And whose wife are you?’ was a question frequently asked to me by peers when I began attending international events. Being Latin American, female and young made me a rare specimen. The bright side was that for that same reason most of them remembered who I was.

Fernando Pelaez Pier

FPelaez Consulting, Miami, Florida; Honorary Life Member of the IBA Council and Association

Why did you become a lawyer? What do you like most about being a lawyer?

Since my early days in high school, I decided that I wanted to become a lawyer. Since then, I never hesitated and here I am. No family influence or pressure. I’m the first one in our family.

What I have liked the most as a transactional lawyer is to create solutions for our clients, to lead and define strategies for them in corporate transactions and business, from joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, project financing to international litigation and arbitration, to mentor and sponsor members of my team, to have responsibilities in the management of our firm, to define and execute business development strategies. By the way, there is life after retirement and a quite interesting professional life!!!

How is the IBA relevant in your career? What do you believe is the most important role of the IBA (and the LARF)?

I joined the IBA 36 years ago!!! Being a member of the IBA has been one of the wisest decisions I have taken in my professional life. I was founder and chair of the LARF, Chair of the Section on Business Law (now the Legal Practice Division). In fact, I was the last Chair before its restructuring into LPD and then IBA President. My journey in the IBA has been a life experience, I have learned so much from so many members and non-members. The IBA has been the best and most permanent professional development programme. I’m still learning!

The creation of LARF back in 1994 has been one of the best decisions taken by the IBA. To bring together so many Latin American and non-Latin American practitioners under the same roof with similar interests in our region has enriched our knowledge and practice and has been a fountain of new friends!

The IBA as the ‘global voice of the legal profession’ has a role for each one of its members. It all depends on what their interests are.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

To be personally and professionally prepared to take advantage of all the opportunities that life has offered to me and my family. That is why we lived, and I have practiced, in Mexico, Paris, London, Caracas (where I got my second law degree) and nowadays in Miami.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

Reading a good book and watching a good film is very relaxing. My interest has been in Hispano-American narratives, reading authors from the generation of Latin American magic realism all the way to the new generations.

During my trips, discovering cities by walking around without a specific destination is also very relaxing.

What advice would you give to someone in the beginning of their career as a lawyer?

To keep preparing themselves to undertake all the challenges and opportunities that they will have in their professional career. The new generations have many more opportunities than the ones that we had to learn, to have access to information, to travel, to develop a multicultural and a multidisciplinary career.

Tell us a funny story of a unique moment you’ve experienced at an IBA Conference

In one of my trips to Asia as IBA President, in a conference, I saw many flower garlands at the end of the main table. I thought it was part of the decor. After giving the keynote speech, the President of the Association offered me one of the garlands and put it around my neck and gave a short speech. To my surprise, at the end of his speech, there was a line of about 30 members of the Association waiting to put a garland around my neck and they did it. I almost died of emotion and suffocation!!!

Daniel del Rio

SMPS Legal, Ciudad de Mexico

Why did you become a lawyer? What do you like most about being a lawyer?

As long as I remember, I always wanted to become an international business lawyer. Very fortunate to have chosen this career since I love what I do – that is assist my clients in their projects. I also further got a MBA. With all these tools I enjoy learning about the activities and needs of my clients in order to help them achieve their goals by proposing proactive and practical solutions. I also like to help and assist NOGs and people in need by doing pro bono work.

How is the IBA relevant in your career? What do you believe is the most important role of the IBA (and the LARF)?

The IBA has been very relevant to me both in a professional and personal basis. It has allowed me to learn more about other jurisdictions, cultures and at the same time on new trends of our profession, exchanging ideas getting to know colleagues from all around the world, making good friends and acquaintances. With more than a hundred committees to choose from and regional foras like LARF, it is a great opportunity to learn and share experiences with colleagues either from our own region or from abroad.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

There have been several biggest challenges in my career, like being managing partner where I was able to take advantage of the opportunities growing and positioning the firm among the main firms not only from Mexico but from Latin America, or where I had the opportunity to work with my clients in successfully closing their transactions or when I worked as President of the Barra Mexicana Foundation organising and coordinating the work of many Mexican lawyers by creating a clearing house for such a purpose that recognised such great efforts.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

I enjoy traveling and spending time with my wife and family. I like also to play paddle tennis and golf. I like also to read, watch movies and listen to music.

What advice would you give to someone in the beginning of their career as a lawyer?

Very important to focus and find the areas of expertise that shall make them enjoy being a lawyer. In our profession we render legal services, and as such it is important to understand that we need to look after and protect the interests of our clients.

Tell us a funny story of a unique moment you’ve experienced at an IBA Conference

LARF began when Fernando Pelaez conceived the idea of forming a group of lawyers from Latin America back at the Annual Conference held in New Orleans. A year later, in Melbourne (1994) we had the first Latin American lunch. We were 15 attendees. Afterwards, at the beginning of 1995, the first working group was created that attended meetings in Miami for the purposes of officially organising what was later on called the Latin America and Caribbean Steering Group. The IBA designated Phil Zeidman to assist this group in its first steps, and afterwards that role was taken by Willem Calkoen who became the Chair of the then Section of Business Law. This first group was conformed by Fernando Pelaez, Jose Martins Pinheiro, Luis Ortiz Hidalgo, Jack Batievsky, Daniel del Rio and later on by Jaime Carey. After these meetings the next step was to officially form the group and organise the first meeting that took place in Mexico City in 1996.

Adriana Castro

BLP Abogados, San Jose

Why did you become a lawyer? What do you like most about being a lawyer?

The legal profession chose me and not the other way around. I wanted to be a journalist, but decided to enroll in law school until the classes in the US started, as Costa Rica has a different school year. I loved the career so much I changed plans. What I love most about being a lawyer is that I get to be surrounded by so many interesting people and problems which make me grow and change constantly.

How is the IBA relevant in your career? What do you believe is the most important role of the IBA (and the LARF)?

The IBA has been a blessing in my career. Some of the people I admire the most I met through the IBA. In our conferences our worlds expand, intertwine and a true network of wonderful people becomes part of our lives. The LARF community is a specially close one, where some of my best IBA friends come from.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

Motherhood was one of the most challenging times in my career. It is hard to balance the work requirements with being a present parent. I was fortunate enough to have a great support network at home, at the office and meeting women who faced the same challenges in the IBA was inspiring and also comforting.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

Recently I started exercising regularly. I do boxing and yoga. I also love music, so any spare time I have I try to devote to music, though I have to admit, I do not have that much time for it right now.

What advice would you give to someone in the beginning of their career as a lawyer?

Find what makes you passionate about law and follow it despite setbacks. Stay close to positive mentors and look for a circle of people that challenge you to be a better version of yourself.

Tell us a funny story of a unique moment you’ve experienced at an IBA Conference.

It is hard to choose just one. Probably, the most unique was spending my birthday two times in a row in an annual conference. I felt very loved and honoured to have such wonderful friendship bonds within the organisation. It is rare and precious to care so much for people you see at the IBA.