Miguel Hernandez – REPSOL

In the ever-evolving world of energy law, Miguel Hernandez stands at the intersection of legal strategy, technological innovation, and global collaboration. As senior legal manager for Latin America at Repsol, Hernandez leads with a deep understanding of the complex legal landscape that shapes the energy sector—particularly in regions where legal systems are still developing. With a career that spans more than two decades and continents, he continues to adapt and inspire, balancing the rigorous demands of his profession with empathy, curiosity, and a firm belief in the power of continuous learning.

Miguel Hernandez | REPSOL | Senior Legal Manager, LATAM

“Each experience pushed me to be more flexible and open-minded,” he says, noting that cross-cultural understanding is just as critical as legal expertise when operating on the global stage.

Today, Hernandez’s responsibilities span multiple countries in the LATAM region. His work is especially challenging given the upstream energy sector’s complexity, where projects involve long timelines, significant investment, and a range of international stakeholders.

“Energy is a strategic enabler of societal development,” he explains. “That gives every legal decision an ethical dimension.”

Leading through transformation

Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Repsol is a global multi-energy company operating across more than 20 countries. Renowned as an integrated energy leader, the company is committed to leading the energy transition with innovative solutions to supply increasingly accessible, secure, and sustainable energy to society and its customers. Within this framework, Hernandez plays a key role in supporting the upstream operations throughout Latin America while helping to modernize the legal function internally.

One of the most ambitious initiatives that Repsol´s legal department has recently accomplished is Project Protea—a sweeping transformation within Repsol’s legal team aimed at making it more agile, digitally enabled, and strategically aligned with business needs. Spearheaded by the company’s general counsel, Protea involved the 215 members of Repsol´s legal department and has impacted their daily work through five pillars: Innovation, efficiency, talent and leadership, new ways of working and evolution of team culture.

“It’s a major evolution,” Hernandez says. “We’re integrating AI tools, enhancing our engagement with the legal community, and investing in training through partnerships with institutions like IE and Harvard.”

One of the most significant changes, he notes, is the adoption of generative AI solutions like Harvey and Copilot, which streamline repetitive tasks and allow legal professionals to focus on more strategic issues.

“AI enables the automation of legal work and frees up time for deeper thinking,” Hernandez says. “This is a new reality we as lawyers should face.”

The Protea initiative also fosters a cultural shift within the legal team by introducing a new model of in-house lawyer with a hybrid legal-technological profile. This model, supported by a comprehensive training program, empowers professionals to adapt to technological advancements and business needs, promotes continuous improvement, and a leadership style based on trust and continuous learning through agile and collaborative new ways of working. As part of this, Hernandez emphasizes the importance of internal coordination and proactive reporting, creating a legal function that’s as much a strategic partner as it is a safeguard.

Empowering teams across borders

Hernandez leads using what he calls a “liquid team” model—an approach that assembles the right mix of internal experts and trusted external counsel based on each project’s specific needs.

“It gives us the agility to respond quickly and effectively across jurisdictions,” he explains. This flexibility is especially important in LATAM, where legal systems can vary widely in maturity and predictability.

While talent acquisition has been successful, Hernandez acknowledges that retention is an ongoing challenge. “Young professionals want to grow fast, take on meaningful work, and learn continuously,” he says. To meet those expectations, he fosters an environment rich in development opportunities, international exposure, and collaboration. “In return, they get a rewarding workplace, real challenges, and the chance to contribute to a changing world.”

His approach to hiring also reflects his belief in well-rounded legal professionals. “We look for people who are not only technically strong but also adaptable, curious, and business-minded,” he says. The recruitment process, supported by partnerships with top universities, is designed to identify emerging talent early and develop them into high-impact contributors.

As a leader, Hernandez prides himself on empathy and team building. “I believe in putting yourself in others’ shoes,” he says. “It helps build trust and create a collaborative work environment.” He describes his greatest professional satisfaction as helping teams achieve meaningful goals together—and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals along the way.

Looking ahead with discipline & purpose

Throughout his career, Hernandez has met the demands of a fast-changing energy industry with discipline, resilience, and an appetite for lifelong learning. “One of the hardest parts of my job is balancing legal protection with business agility,” he says. But he thrives on the challenge, especially when it means helping teams navigate uncertainty without losing momentum. “What I enjoy most is being able to make a real impact,” he says. “Being an in-house lawyer means being a true business partner.”

Outside the office, Hernandez brings that same discipline to his personal life. A former karate practitioner, he credits martial arts with instilling a strong sense of character that continues to influence his leadership style. He’s also a passionate tennis player and has recently taken up cooking—a new creative outlet that helps him stay grounded amid the pressures of international legal work. And as a lifelong learner, he’s currently completing an advanced program in English Law to further expand his expertise and global perspective.

Yet amid all these achievements, his greatest joy remains personal: his family. “Their happiness is my biggest source of fulfillment,” he says. “Professionally, it’s about achieving goals while creating a positive environment for others and setting an example.”

In a sector as multifaceted and high-stakes as energy, Miguel Hernandez brings a rare combination of legal acumen, cultural fluency, and human-centered leadership. At Repsol and across LATAM, his impact continues to grow—shaping not only the legal function, but also the future of energy law itself.