Inspiring Women in Law - Interview with Mónica Machuca

‘We aspire to promote an organisational culture that considers our people as integral human beings and not only as professionals’
 

Latin Counsel has conversed with Mónica Machuca, Senior Manager at EY Law El Salvador, about her experience and trajectory as a leading lawyer in intellectual property, labour law and M&A.

Monica has served as Regional Director of Intellectual Property at EY Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic, where she has extensive experience in the registration of patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as in administrative and judicial litigation in this area, and has more than 20 years of experience in consulting, having served as corporate legal counsel for projects in manufacturing, consumer products, retail, entertainment, energy, health and pharma.

She has also led several power plant construction projects (hydroelectric and photovoltaic) in El Salvador, including obtaining permits from the Ministry of Environment (MARN), SIGET (Superintendencia General de Electricidad y Telecomunicaciones), UT (Unidad de Transacciones, S.A. de C.V.) and ETESAL (Empresa Transmisora de El Salvador).

Monica holds a Law Degree from the University of Dr. José Matías Delgado and a Master’s Degree in Intellectual Property from the University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain.

Latin Counsel: What was the determining factor that motivated you to pursue a career in law?

Mónica Machuca: As a child, I projected myself as the lawyers you see in the movies, participating in court and settling disputes between parties. As I grew up, I always had a predilection for the career, but with a different mentality. A career in law would allow me to develop professionally in many sectors and industries, so I could have a greater professional and career projection.

LC: How has your career at EY evolved?

MM: EY is a firm where everyone can grow, if you have clear objectives and goals. If you take advantage of the opportunities to work in a multinational like this, your professional projection evolves exponentially. In my particular case, I have had the opportunity to learn about many areas in which it would be difficult to learn outside an organisation like this. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams has helped me a lot in my professional growth and has allowed me to project myself to a greater extent towards clients and the field in which I work.

LC: What are EY’s policies regarding gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other dimensions of diversity?

MM: At EY it is a priority that is addressed through a multiplicity of actions every day. First and foremost, through a commitment to live our values, faithfully and daily, in an inclusive and diverse culture that encourages integrity, respect, teamwork, energy, enthusiasm, leadership and building relationships by doing the right thing. In addition, with formal and experiential experiences and education that ensure the development of new competencies to grow and have a relevant and successful career.

LC: What do you identify as the main legal challenges that companies in El Salvador currently face and what is your approach to address them?

MM: Companies face numerous legal challenges in the development of their business activities today. Rapid technological developments have generated new challenges in the legal field, especially with regard to cybersecurity and data protection, and even intellectual property protection and compliance with labour regulations. Companies must address these issues effectively to ensure their long-term stability and growth. The complexity of regulations and the frequent creation of new laws require companies to keep up to date and ensure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. This involves effective risk management and a thorough understanding of the regulatory frameworks in which the organisation operates, and this is where our team works hand in hand with companies, supporting and assisting them in the necessary strategies and implementation of best practices to cope with this constant evolution.

LC: How do you ensure that EY’s legal team keeps up to date and adapts to new regulations and legal trends in El Salvador to continue offering strategic advice to your clients?

MM: One of the challenges of being a responsible and ethical professional is to keep up with the changing rules and regulations and new trends that are driving our clients to make decisions about venturing into new areas of business. Among the actions our team has taken to stay ahead of this new reality are active participation in professional associations and networks related to our profession, as these organisations offer various benefits, such as access to educational resources, training programmes, certification courses, events, webinars, and forums that allow us to keep up to date. We also attend conferences, workshops and seminars that are relevant to our clients’ industry or market. These events provide valuable information and expose us to different perspectives, opinions and experiences from experts and other participants that help enrich our understanding and awareness of the issues and trends affecting our business.

LC: Considering the importance of business ethics and compliance, how does EY promote a culture of integrity and legality both internally and when advising clients in El Salvador?

MM: At EY Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic we aspire to create and promote an organisational culture that considers our people as integral human beings and not only as professionals. Through our philosophy of harmonious development, we encourage each person to seek balance in the different dimensions of their lives: presence, physical, emotional, ethical and financial. In addition, with experiences and formal and experiential education, which guarantee the development of new competencies to grow and have a relevant and successful professional career and thus provide services with the highest quality standards that an organisation such as ours demands.

LC: What strategies do you consider key to attracting new clients in your professional work?

MM: Attracting new clients is one of the biggest challenges that all companies face, regardless of the industry, but it is also one of the most crucial aspects of business growth and sustainability.
Reaching new customers has never been as competitive as it is today. At the same time that there is a plethora of channels, strategies and tools available in the palm of your hand, competition is also increasing. The key is to choose the right strategies and dedicate time and energy to making them work. It is important to invest in long-term tactics, which take longer to pay off, but pay off for longer.

LC: What activities are you passionate about doing during your free time?

MM: I try to spend quality time with my family. I am a mother of two girls, and having a balance between my role as a professional and my role as a mother and wife is fundamental for me, it is difficult, but it is achieved. I like to do activities on topics of interest to our daughters, from being the number 1 fan of their swimming training, to accompanying them to watch their favourite Anime series; as much as possible, I disconnect on Friday afternoons and dedicate myself completely to my family.

LC: What key piece of advice would you offer to women who aspire to grow in the legal field?

MM: Maintain a clear vision and long-term goals, but remain open to adapting your strategies when necessary. Spend time learning new skills, keeping abreast of industry trends and improving your overall wellbeing. Time management and work-life balance are crucial to avoid burnout and maintain motivation. Finally, never give up and never accept ‘women can’t do men’s work’ as it has been fully demonstrated that we are just as capable of succeeding in professional life as any lawyer.

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