We share the interview with our partner Rodrigo Albagli for LexLatin, where he discussed the role of compliance in companies and previewed what the 2025 Latin American Compliance Forum will be like.
“In recent years, we have witnessed a profound transformation in the way companies understand and manage risk. We live in an era of abundant and complex regulation that constantly challenges companies’ ability to adapt,” says Rodrigo Albagli, managing partner of the Albagli Zaliasnik (AZ) law firm, adding that compliance has now become a business enabler.
At the regional level, the last decade in Latin America has seen a proliferation of discussions on bills to compel legal entities to integrate compliance programs, with benefits over the penalties they would face for their illegal conduct. In Chile, where Albagli has been accompanying the transformation of organizations in this area, regulations have been enacted in the last couple of years that have drastically changed the way businesses operate, from their labor practices to their approach to tax returns, among other things. Compliance has thus been introduced into the very culture of companies.
Chilean companies, especially those with more developed corporate governance structures, have progressively incorporated more robust policies, codes, and prevention models. This process has had a tangible cultural impact: today, ethics, integrity, due diligence, and sustainability are discussed as part of business strategy. However, the challenge is ongoing and permanent. Progress still needs to be made in ensuring that these values permeate consistently at all levels of the organization, from senior management to operational teams. Little by little, compliance has begun to consolidate itself as part of Chilean corporate DNA.”
Why is it important to embed compliance in organizational culture?
According to Rodrigo Albagli, the most frequent mistakes tend to focus on certain points: weak board involvement, lack of training, reactive responses to risk, and a gap between the culture that is declared and the culture that is actually lived.
“Today, both local and international regulatory standards expressly state that boards of directors must understand, evaluate, and promote an ethical culture. But beyond the norm, it is the shareholders, employees, customers, and communities themselves who demand organizations with integrity, consistency, and transparency. That is the true standard to which we must aspire.”
The role of compliance in the democratization of technology
The widespread domestic use of generative artificial intelligence, the development of globalization 4.0—a stage in which, for example, a user can make an international purchase without jurisdictional problems—and the emergence of cryptoassets, according to the specialist, are testing traditional legal frameworks and giving way to a different type of risk: “global, immediate, and deeply interconnected.”
“In this scenario, compliance takes on unprecedented relevance. Its role will shift from focusing solely on verifying regulatory compliance to becoming a strategic ally in digital risk management, integrating cybersecurity, traceability, and data governance. It will become increasingly necessary for compliance officers to understand both ethics and technology, capable of interpreting this transformation and anticipating its impact on corporate integrity.”
According to Albagli, AI-Gen also requires organizations to review their risk management in various areas, especially when its use motivates important decisions.
“The first aspect is governance. Companies must define clear rules on the use of AI, establish adequate controls, and ensure traceability in their processes. It is also essential to protect data and confidentiality, ensuring that information is used securely and in accordance with regulations.”
How to participate in the Compliance Latam 2025 Forum? A space dedicated to the regulatory compliance ecosystem in Latin America
On November 27, at The Ritz-Carlton Santiago Hotel, the Compliance Latam 2025 Forum will be held, where in-house lawyers, law firms, executives, and compliance officers will discuss the main regulatory challenges and trends; such as new legal and geopolitical requirements, from the regulatory shift in the United States to anti-corruption and anti-money laundering reforms in Latin America; the risks associated with the use of AI-Gen; and even behavioral psychology and neuroscience.
The forum is an initiative of Compliance Latam, of which az is a founder. In addition to Albagli Zaliasnik (Chile), this platform includes Bartolome & Briones (Spain), Basham, Ringe y Correa (Mexico), Beccar Varela (Argentina), BLP (Central America), Bustamante Fabara (Ecuador), CPB (Peru), FCR Law (Brazil), Ferrere (Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia), MDU Legal (Panama), Miller & Chevalier (United States), and Posse Herrera Ruiz (Colombia).
How did this initiative come about and what will be discussed at the forum? Rodrigo Albagli explains in the following excerpt from an interview with LexLatin:
- How did the idea of creating this regional compliance platform come about?
Compliance Latam was founded in Chile in response to a specific need for a collaborative, accessible, regional space to share experiences, technical knowledge, and best practices in compliance.
From the outset, the network has been geared toward in-house legal and compliance teams, encouraging their active participation as contributors. Today, we have more than 250 active contributors and expect to close 2026 with more than 500, reflecting the growing interest and commitment to compliance development in the region.
Similarly, we were clear that the purpose should be to generate shared value by connecting professionals and firms throughout Latin America. I began by inviting close friends from different countries, including the United States, who understood the importance of creating a community around compliance.
- When you started the network and began contacting colleagues around the world, did you imagine that years later you would be launching a forum? Why do you think support among colleagues at the regional level is key?
When we started this project more than three years ago, I honestly did not imagine the magnitude it would reach. Seeing Compliance Latam consolidated today as the leading regional compliance network is a source of deep pride.
Support among member firms has been essential. This would not have been possible without collaboration, knowledge sharing, and openness. No one can face ethical and regulatory challenges in isolation; it is a commitment that must be made collectively.
- With the Compliance Latam 2025 Forum about to open, looking ahead, what conclusions do you think are important to share about the 2024 forum that are somehow reflected in this year’s organization?
The 2024 Compliance Latam Forum in Montevideo, Uruguay, left us with some very valuable lessons. First, the confirmation that compliance must be cross-cutting: it does not belong only to legal areas, but to the entire organization.
Second, the positive impact of regional collaboration. Partnerships and cooperation between firms and collaborators have proven to be an effective way to promote compliance and corporate ethics standards.
The 2025 forum seeks precisely to unify these lessons, incorporating a more integrated view of compliance, sustainability, innovation, and corporate culture.
- Regarding the focus on innovation and technology, what are the concerns of the sector and compliance specialists on these issues?
The main concerns revolve around cybersecurity, data governance, and privacy protection in an increasingly digital context. In Chile, these issues have become particularly sensitive in light of recent security challenges affecting quality of life, investment, and institutional trust.
At Albagli Zaliasnik, we have taken an active role in the public and regulatory discussion on the digital economy. We support our clients in anticipating the new regulatory, technological, and business challenges posed by digital transformation. We believe that staying ahead of the curve is key to turning risk into opportunity.
- What do you think will be the next innovations in the sector?
I believe that the legal sector is entering a period of real change. The next innovations will not only be in technology, but also in how it is integrated into the daily work of lawyers. Artificial intelligence, process automation, and collaborative platforms are already transforming the way we analyze information, prepare documents, and make decisions.
Rather than replacing lawyers, these tools will allow us to focus on what really adds value: judgment, strategy, and understanding the client’s business. Firms that know how to combine technology and legal practice will be the ones that make a difference.
I also see innovation in internal culture. We are moving towards more agile models, with diverse teams that combine legal, technological, and marketing profiles. In this sense, the future of the legal sector will be more dynamic, more interdisciplinary, and, above all, closer to the real needs of individuals and companies.
