The framework of the celebration of Women's Day on March 08 allows us to remember the leadership of women throughout history who have fought for equality and their rights.
At LatinAlliance we are committed to this celebration, not only supporting the women who make up our society, but also each of the members of our team.
As a firm, we are proud to have a diverse and inclusive team, which has been recognized by international media thanks to the leadership of our partners, area directors, associates, and other collaborators. However, to understand the importance of having a diverse team, it is necessary to understand the circumstances of the society in which we operate as a regional firm.
With this panorama, we can now talk specifically about the legal market in the region, which has been characterized by a positive positioning of women. In Costa Rica, for example, according to a report by the Bar Association, in recent years, more women than men have joined the practice (589 women vs. 505 men in 2012, 788 women vs. 567 men in 2014 and 512 women vs. 488 men in 2016). In El Salvador, in a 9-year period, 10,197 graduated lawyers were registered, compared to 7,653 lawyers (according to the Ministry of Education). In Nicaragua, according to a study by the European Union, 45% - 47% of the lawyers graduated in the nation are women.
The legal market is favorable for women, a reflection of this we experience daily in our operations as a firm, in which 65% of the team is made up of female human talent. Of our partners, 50% are women, and 62.5% hold positions of Directors and Area Heads.
We cannot talk about diversity in our firm without describing the role that our women leaders develop within it, from partners to area directors, and any collaborator who promotes the growth and development of the firm:
OLGA TORRES
Partner and Regional Director of Life Sciences – Regulatory Affairs
She has led the Life Sciences area for more than 15 years, an area made up of 100% female staff, who have not only received training in efficient customer management, but also in female empowerment techniques. Under her direction, she has positioned LatinAlliance as the no.1 firm in Life Sciences in the Central American region. In fact, the Life Sciences area at LatinAlliance serves 9 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world (according to Ranking the Brands https://www.rankingthebrands.com/The-Brand-Rankings.aspx?rankingID=370).
Olga was responsible for the establishment of LatinAlliance Nicaragua, making her a key factor in the firm's strategic vision for its expansion and development. LatinAlliance currently has offices throughout the Central American region, but Olga was definitely a pioneering factor for this regionalization process.
In addition to her leading role in the firm's operation, Olga has managed to find a balance between work, personal and family aspects, which has been quite a challenge. In the search for this balance, she came across the practice of YOGA, a discipline that allowed her to find harmony, serenity and tranquility. She is constantly studying gender equity and women's empowerment. Favorite phrase of hers: "Love every day that person you have struggled to become."
FABIOLA TORRES
Regional Director of Intellectual Property
In 2012, Fabiola joined the Corporate/Commercial department of LatinAlliance, being one of the youngest members of the team, she specialized in different subjects, until she began to show a special interest in the matter of Intellectual Property, this led her to take the leadership of the area, which is made up of 100% women.
His career is not only limited to the national industry, but also internationally. He is currently a member of important associations such as ASIPI and INTA, participating in global congresses that allow him to capture the best practices, which translates into more solid knowledge for the benefit of clients.
In addition to leading the Intellectual Property area, Fabiola has worked in different administrative matters within the firm, skills that she has enhanced after having studied a Master's Degree in Business Administration at the Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile, the number one university in Latin America. for MBA programs according to America. Her management skills have led her to become an invaluable asset within the firm.
In December 2019, Fabiola took a very significant step in her life by getting engaged to her partner, who is also starting a promising career in the legal field.
To balance professional stress, Fabiola is passionate about practicing sports at least 4 days a week, her favorite class involves kettlebells with high intensity intervals.
RUTH OLIVARES
Partner, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences Coordinator
Ruth is one of our partners and an important part of the team both in LatinAlliance Guatemala and at the regional level. Her passion for the area of Intellectual Property and Sanitary Registries has made her the coordinator of both areas in the country.
With a long history within the firm, Ruth was an indispensable factor in the establishment of LatinAlliance Guatemala 10 years ago. Her dedication and passion for the firm was demonstrated when she made the decision to move from her native country, El Salvador, to start undertaking this new challenge. 10 years later, Ruth coordinates the firm's operations in Guatemala and leads a team of excellent professionals, motivating them every day not only through the development of commercial skills but also interpersonal skills.
Her cheerful and dynamic personality is a reflection of an active family life that accompanies her on a daily basis. She is a wife and mother, which has made her determined to balance her work life and her family life. In her spare time, she likes to share moments and experiences with them through sports activities and family games. She is a lover of reading and movies, hobbies that she chooses to relax, so she is always up to date with the latest trends in contemporary art. In addition, she loves to travel to the beach, spaces that she takes advantage of to share with her loved ones.
MICHELLE SUTTER
Regional Corporate Director
Since joining the firm as Regional Director of Corporate Law, Michelle has shown an invaluable commitment and great passion towards the development and care of all legal aspects involved in the operation of our clients' operations.
He joins the firm after having worked as Chief of Compliance in a multinational communications company. We see a reflection of this great career in the management of the Corporate legal team, whom he leads with great commitment and inspires with his dynamism.
In his role within the firm, he has contributed to important expansion and development strategies: The establishment of LatinAlliance Honduras, for example, in which he incorporated our Corporate Head in Honduras, Sergio Sánchez, into the team and together they have worked for the development of the service portfolio and customer satisfaction. The Corporate area has also undergone important changes, such as the launch of the Competition Law sub-area and the Corporate Law sub-area.
In addition to her role at the firm, Michelle is also a parent and wife. She really enjoys spending time with her children, attending their school activities, where she supports them unconditionally.
Her two children are extremely active and creative, which leads her to always be in constant dynamism and updated on entertainment trends. She Definitely is a great mom!
MARCELA FILOY
Regional Director of Litigation and Arbitration
Marcela Filloy is an internationally recognized figure in matters of litigation and arbitration, in fact, she is one of the pioneering women in this matter in Costa Rica. It is not strange to find it in different events of this branch around the world.
Over the course of 20 years, she has been linked to the main conciliation and arbitration centers in Latin America. She promoted, coordinated and directed the creation of the Arbitration Center of the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica and is secretary of the Court of Arbitration of this center worldwide.
Marcela has been an assistant and speaker in numerous courses, conferences, seminars and workshops, on issues of international trade and alternative conflict resolution, in America and Europe. She received training as an international arbitrator from the Inter-American Commission on Commercial Arbitration (ICDR-AAA) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). She has also served as an instructor in the international training course for international arbitrators given by the Conciliation and Arbitration Center of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce and the Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission.
Apart from practicing his passion in refereeing, he shares two other passions: cooking and traveling. Through cooking she has developed skills of creativity and determination, truly expressing herself through culinary art. Traveling around the world, which her career has also allowed her, has led her to discover new countries, cultures and gastronomy.
