Galp’s legal guardian
Marta Cruz de Almeida has been the general counsel at Galp since 2021. Iberian Lawyer uncovers the story behind the lawyer’s career trajectory and leadership, and the challenges she has faced since being appointed three years ago
by michael heron
With an in-house legal team of 55 lawyers spread across two continents and three countries, it is no exaggeration to refer to Marta Cruz de Almeida as the legal guardian of Galp. Having started her career at the Portuguese Securities Market Commission, she went on to work in the dispute resolution practice at Linklaters, before taking on the role of head of litigation at Galp for eight years, before her promotion to GC. At her own admission, Cruz de Almeida recognises that her time as head of litigation at Galp, was critical: “I truly believe my litigation experience is crucial to the performance of my role as GC.” The lawyer also reveals what she believes to be the most important skills required for a private practitioner transitioning to an inhouse role and how she believes law firms can improve the service they deliver to GCs.
After joining as head of litigation in 2013, you were appointed General Counsel in 2021, what new challenges have you faced?
Management of a multidisciplinary team in different geographies and greater participation in strategic company’s decisions. Litigators are usually more reactive, but as GCs we are asked to anticipate problems, think strategically, be a business partner and support the company’s management on a daily basis. Considering Galp’s path in the energy transition, it has also been very challenging to keep up with new businesses, with complex and specific regulations. I would also emphasise the importance of ESG and sustainability issues, which are part of our daily concerns.
I can imagine that with Galp’s energy transition and more demands on you and your inhouse team, it must be very challenging. Tell us more about your in-house team and how the external counsel work is distributed?
Galp’s legal department is staffed by top professionals with in-depth knowledge of the company and its businesses. We are now around 55 lawyers across three countries: Portugal, Spain and Brazil. Because of its competence and expertise, it is the in-house team that responds, first line and in most situations, to the various issues that arise in all areas of the company. When the matters concern very specific areas of law or require a very large team (for example, M&A transactions or international arbitrations) we hire external lawyers.
How do you hire external counsel?
Galp has a panel of external law firms that are hired following a transparent and demanding procurement process, that allows us to have access to the best professionals, following compliance rules and taking in consideration as cyber security risks. I don’t know if this is surprising or not, but there is a lot of theorising about client’s criteria for choosing external lawyers. There’s no science behind it: we choose the most competent lawyers, who are available, and in whom we trust. I believe that trust is essential in all relationships and this is no different when it comes to relationships with external lawyers.
Is the role of GC changing? In other jurisdictions we have seen GCs appointed CEOs. Is this a trend that you think will continue?
