Fernando Peláez, CEO of LexLatin, analyzes the Latin American legal sector and its main challenges at IE Law School’s LawAhead Center.
On October 14, the LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession at IE Law School hosted Fernando Peláez, CEO of LexLatin, in an event held at the IE Tower, bringing together partners and senior executives from leading law firms and corporate members of the Center.
During his presentation, Peláez offered an analysis of the Latin American legal sector and discussed its main challenges, outlining a landscape as demanding as it is stimulating. He explained that the region’s legal market is undergoing an accelerated transformation driven by three simultaneous forces: the arrival of top-tier international firms, the regional consolidation of local players in Central America, and the opening of Latin American offices in Spain.
Adapting Law Firms to a Changing Environment
According to Peláez, Latin American law firms are facing unprecedented pressures that are redefining their business models, operational structures, and value propositions. These pressure points — technological, competitive, regulatory, talent-related, and client-driven — require strategic, immediate, and sustainable responses. “The future does not belong to the largest firm, but to the most adaptable one,” he stated.
AI and LegalTech Redefining the Legal Profession
Peláez emphasized that artificial intelligence and LegalTech are redefining the legal business but warned that the challenge “is not technical, but cultural and ethical”: it is about integrating technology without losing human judgment.
He explained that document automation, contract management, and legal analytics generate time savings of between 40% and 60% in operational processes. “AI does not replace lawyers; it replaces obsolete practices,” he stressed, highlighting the transformative potential of these tools when adopted with strategic vision.
Talent: Expectations and Retention
The speaker also addressed the challenge of legal talent, which he described as “scarcer and more mobile than ever.” New generations seek purpose, flexibility, and accelerated development, prioritizing personal growth over salary.
More than 54% of young lawyers prioritize flexibility and personal development over financial compensation. In this regard, Peláez noted that new generations demand horizontal leadership, continuous learning, and more human organizational cultures. “Talent is not retained; it is inspired,” he concluded.
ABOUT THE LAWAHEAD CENTER AT IE LAW SCHOOL
The IE Law School’s LawAhead Center on the Legal Profession reflection on the challenges and opportunities facing the legal sector both in Spain and globally. The Center was initially made up of large business law firms such as CMS Albiñana, Cuatrecasas, Gómez Acebo y Pombo, Garrigues, Pérez-Llorca, Roca Junyent, Sagardoy Abogados and Uría Menéndez; and major corporations such as AENA, CaixaBank, Mapfre, Microsoft, and Telefónica have also joined the initiative.