Cristóbal Morandé – Parque Arauco

As corporate legal officer for Parque Arauco, Cristóbal Morandé operates at the intersection of innovation, compliance, and strategic growth.

Cristóbal Morandé | Parque Arauco | Corporate Legal Officer

The Chile-based company, founded in 1982, is a leader in developing and operating shopping centers and mixed-use real estate across Latin America. With a presence in Chile, Peru, and Colombia, Parque Arauco manages an extensive portfolio that includes regional malls, lifestyle centers, outlets, and office spaces. The company is known not only for its focus on customer experience and sustainability but also for its forward-thinking business practices—something Morandé works to support every day from the legal department.

“We want to be a true partner to the business,” Morandé says. “Legal is not just here to say ‘no.’ We are here to unlock value, manage risk with agility, and help the company achieve its long-term vision.”

That approach guides how Morandé works in the corporate legal team. This small but highly engaged team forms part of a broader legal network of nearly 20 professionals across the company’s three markets. As the business expands and faces complex regulatory demands, he focuses on being proactive and strategic, especially during rapid change.

“One of the greatest challenges we’re facing today is navigating an increasingly dynamic and demanding regulatory environment,” he explains. “There’s a trend toward overregulation, often with short implementation timelines, which creates real uncertainty. Our job is maintaining compliance while enabling the business to move quickly to succeed.”

Purposeful technology, not just hype

While many companies rush to adopt new technologies to stay competitive, Morandé brings a more grounded, long-term view. For him, tools like artificial intelligence or contract lifecycle management software must be thoughtfully implemented, not simply added for trend’s sake.

“We are constantly exploring tools that improve efficiency,” he says, “but implementation must be aligned with our business strategy. It’s not about following hype but creating real, sustainable value.”

Between 2023 and 2024, Morandé led a months-long evaluation of contract lifecycle management platforms to improve how Parque Arauco handles supplier contracts and compliance obligations. His team ultimately selected HighQ by Thomson Reuters, a global solution that can integrate with the company’s internal systems and offers future AI potential.

“This wasn’t just a software project—it was a strategic shift,” he explains. “We were looking for a solution that could strengthen contract visibility, enhance compliance, and allow our team to focus on higher-value work.”

Morandé sees AI as a valuable ally for in-house legal teams, particularly in document automation, contract analysis, and legal research. But he’s also cautious.

“AI has enormous potential,” he says, “but it needs to be implemented wisely. Too many tools without integration can create more problems than they solve. For lean in-house teams like ours, AI should simplify and empower—not complicate.”

That philosophy informs current projects and his vision for 2025 and beyond, including expanding obligation management capabilities within the CLM platform and further using automation to boost productivity.

“Our broader goal,” he says, “is to become a smarter, more connected legal function—one that’s in sync with the company’s values and ambitions.”

Leadership rooted in self-awareness & family

Though he is a member of a regional legal team today, Morandé’s path to the law was unclear.

“At first, I chose law more for stability than passion,” he admits. “But over time, I realized how much the legal field aligned with my values. I just had to adapt it to make it mine.”

His transition from law firms to in-house roles was a major leap—one that came with uncertainty and the opportunity to grow in ways he hadn’t expected.

“It was a complex move. I didn’t know much about in-house work when I made the change. But looking back, it was my career’s most formative and enriching decision.”

That journey helped him build resilience and trust in his own capabilities, especially as he grappled with what he describes as “impostor syndrome.”

“Not being a traditional lawyer made me question myself sometimes,” he reflects. “But through experience and self-awareness, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to lead and make an impact.”

Becoming a father recently has only sharpened that perspective.

“Parenthood changed everything,” he says. “It’s helped me realize what really matters. It’s also pushed me to become a better role model—professionally and as a person.”

Juggling an MBA at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, a demanding job, and a growing family is no easy task, but Morandé embraces the challenge with intention and gratitude.

“I prefer to speak in terms of challenges, not difficulties,” he says. “With motivation and clear priorities, you can do a lot.”

Outside of work, he finds balance through his friends, family, sports, and teaching—activities that reinforce leadership and learning for him. And in his day-to-day legal work, the people, not the paperwork, give him the most satisfaction.

“What I enjoy most is interacting with colleagues and seeing how well-executed legal work can actually help the business—whether it’s streamlining a process or removing an obstacle.”

As Parque Arauco continues to evolve in a fast-paced and competitive real estate market, Morandé’s thoughtful leadership helps ensure that legal operations stay agile, connected, and ready to support the company’s ambitions.

For him, the path forward isn’t just about new technologies or complex contracts—it’s about building a legal function that enables growth, supports people, and stays rooted in purpose.