Conference programme

In recent years, a consensus has emerged among investors, shareholders, financiers, customers, and other stakeholders that corporations, and businesses in general, should bear the responsibility of trying to solve the problems that the world faces. These include climate change, slavery, human trafficking, and human rights’ crises, alongside more workplace-based issues, such as promoting a healthier, balanced, and inclusive working environment. There is a rising expectation from stakeholders that corporations should integrate these Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors into their business strategy and are willing to reward or punish corporations accordingly. Such methods of encouragement include impact investment, sustainable fi nance, consumer boycotts or even refusing further investments in fi rms that do not follow the ESG criteria. Similarly, companies are increasingly required to identify, manage, and disclose their ESG risks and initiatives to investors and regulators.

The panel will explore the current topics in ESG compliance and will share insights into how investment and financing decisions are made, and how they prepare to seize the opportunities this trend brings from their respective businesses.

The rise of cryptocurrency transactions – including bitcoin investments, stablecoin trading and blockchain-settled fundraisings, among others – has led many market observers to question whether the global financial system is on the verge of mere incremental adjustment or truly revolutionary change. At the same time, it seems that we see a new fintech IPO on a weekly basis, and consumers have quickly adapted to life that is more digital than ever before as fintechs have thrived in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as dealings with cryptocurrencies and fintechs proliferate, particularly across the Americas, people and their government representatives are still sorting out the appropriate regulatory response. The risk of prematurely stifling innovation and growth has kept regulators at bay up until now, but public perception about the need for regulatory clarity and oversight seems to have finally caught up with these industries and their stakeholders.

This session is structured in two parts. The first part will be involve a panel discussion by experts sharing views on the current state of U.S. cryptocurrency and fintech regulation, as well as their insights on recent market trends in these industries. The second part will be a workshop with breakout sessions among conference participants led by facilitators who will collect views and takeaways concerning cryptocurrency and fintech developments across the region.

The pandemic has impacted every industry around the world, and private equity investors have had to adapt to riskier investments and complex exit strategies.

This panel will discuss the latest trends in sectors, due diligence, and private equity investment opportunities in Latin America.

• How will climate change effect client needs/demands?
• What legal counselling will be needed?
• How will climate change effect law firm operations in the Americas?

The Covid-19 pandemic sent shock waves through the world economy. Many expected that, as in previous crises and recessions, insolvency and restructuring would grow exponentially. Government aid and special programs, however, although succeeding in softening these troubles, created, many specialists fear, new problems.

A panel of experts will analyse the current situation and discuss current trends as well as predictions for the future.

The panel will discuss the offi ce of the future analysing the impact of the pandemic. In particular looking at what will, or should, a ‘law office’ look like, based in the model adopted, remote, in person, or hybrid?

The architect Mariela Buendía-Corrochano will present the impact on office space and detailing the alternatives law firms have based in the model adopted to redesign their offices. The redesign process will focus on securing and maximising teamwork, collaboration, mentoring and training.

The panel will discuss the impact on retention and attraction of talent, both at associates and partner level as well as leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion and preserving a law firm’s unique culture.

Technological developments in the last decades have been exponential, leading the way for the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this revolution even
further and faster.

In this session questions will be addressed, including:
- What legal challenges are being faced by industries in connection with data privacy and data protection issues?
- How can industries protect themselves from cybersecurity risks?
- How should artificial intelligence be regulated?
- What challenges does remote working bring corporations?