Member Spotlight - South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group

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Helen Warner

General Counsel for North Ameria, Caribbean and Asia

LATAM Airlines Group

Law School & Year: Nova Southeastern University (JD/MBA) (2023)

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?

Being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group has been both professionally and personally meaningful. It has given me the opportunity to connect with thoughtful, accomplished, and like-minded women who value their careers and commitments while also striving to grow beyond their professional lives.

I am inspired by the many women who are part of the SFWIHCG. While they are all lawyers and leaders, they are also mothers, sisters, partners, daughters, friends, caregivers, and so much more. We each carry many responsibilities, with our job being an important one, but not all that defines us.

I have also valued learning about the variety of legal roles and industries represented in the group. Each member brings a unique perspective, and I have learned so much from hearing what others do and how they approach their work. The group has reminded me of the strength, creativity, resilience, and versatility of women who are constantly balancing, contributing, and making an impact in many different ways.

What area(s) of law do you specialize in, and what drew you to this particular field?

I see myself as a generalist, which is one of the aspects of in-house practice that I value most. A wide range of legal questions come across my desk, including corporate transactions, commercial agreements, aviation and regulatory matters, compliance, labor and employment, competition, data protection, litigation and claims, among other operational issues.

Although my experience is broad, the areas that have been especially meaningful to me are aviation, corporate transactions, and regulatory and compliance matters. What drew me to in-house practice was the opportunity to be involved in the day-to-day operations of a business and to understand how legal advice fits within its broader commercial objectives. I have also particularly enjoyed working on international transactions and matters involving multiple jurisdictions, where it is important to consider different legal systems, business practices, and regulatory environments.

Ultimately, I see my role as extending beyond providing legal answers. Much of my work involves assessing risk, understanding the business context, identifying practical options, and serving as a trusted business partner. I enjoy helping the company make informed decisions and move forward responsibly while protecting its interests.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the legal field?

The legal field continues to evolve, including the topics and issues lawyers are asked to address, so it is important to remain curious and willing to evolve with it. Be prepared to learn new things constantly, including developing an understanding of technology and strengthening your critical-thinking skills. Legal work also requires common sense, so learn to trust your judgment.

Explore different areas of the law to understand what interests you most. Be curious, work hard, and develop a reputation for reliability and sound judgment. Success also depends on strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, business understanding, and the ability to build trusted relationships.

Do not be afraid to ask questions or seek mentors and sponsors. Most importantly, remain authentic. There are many ways to be an effective lawyer and leader, and you do not need to change who you are to succeed.

What are some daily habits you’ve incorporated to stay focused, grounded, motivated and manage stress?

I start most days with an early workout, which gives me energy, helps me focus, reduces stress, and improves my sleep. Being present for my family, whether we are having dinner together, checking in about our day, sharing an activity, or watching a show, keeps me grounded and helps me take my mind off work. These moments give me an opportunity to disconnect and recharge.

At work, I start by identifying my key priorities and distinguishing urgent matters from those that simply require attention. I understand that the day may take different paths as new issues arise, but I try to return to my key priorities throughout the day to make sure I remain focused on the broader objectives. Maintaining regular communication with my main clients also helps me stay aligned and manage changing demands.

Given the volume of information and requests we receive, our team uses technology, including AI tools, including agents we have developed, to track pending tasks and emails, manage follow-ups, and work more efficiently with contracts and claims through playbooks and other resources. These tools support my efforts to stay organized and regain focus when the day becomes particularly demanding.

Estibaliz Diez

Senior Associate General Counsel

China Telecom Americas Corporation

Law School & Year: Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (JD, 1998), American University, Washington College of Law (LLM, 2000), Miami University School of Law (LLM 2013)

LinkedIn: Estibaliz Diez | LinkedIn

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?

Being a member of the SFWIHCG has had a huge impact on me, both personally and professionally. It has connected me with an inspiring community of professional women who are committed to growing together, sharing experiences, and genuinely supporting one another.

The group has given me valuable opportunities for networking and professional development, while also helping me build meaningful friendships and expand my professional network. It has created a strong sense of community and provided a space where members can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and celebrate one another's achievements. It has also increased my visibility as a professional within the in-house legal sector and helped me feel more connected to the wider legal community.

What is your most rewarding professional achievement?

I One of my most rewarding professional achievements was successfully negotiating a very significant contract with a government customer in Latin America. The relationship was initially distant, with limited trust and both sides approaching the discussions cautiously.

After multiple face-to-face meetings, we began to understand each other's teams, priorities, and concerns. This helped build trust, create a more collaborative environment, and move the negotiations forward. After a long and complex process, we finalized the contract and established a positive working relationship. The experience was especially rewarding because the achievement went beyond closing the deal: we transformed a difficult negotiation into a constructive and lasting business relationship..

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the legal field?

My advice would be to be patient and stay authentic to who she is. The Legal profession is built on reputation, knowledge, experience and integrity. This takes time to build. She doesn't need to have everything figured out from the beginning. Seek mentors that will support her and have her best interest at heart, as well as build a strong network of people that will support her, challenge her and advocate for her growth. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Most importantly, be empathetic and support other women along the way.

What area(s) of law do you specialize in, and what drew you to this particular field?

I specialize in telecommunications law. It was not the field I initially planned to pursue after completing my law studies, as I expected to begin my career at a law firm.

During the interview process, one of the law firms referred me to an in-house counsel position at a telecommunications company. I accepted the opportunity and discovered that I enjoyed both the industry and the inhouse counsel role. I have remained in the telecommunications field ever since, building my expertise and growing alongside an industry that is constantly evolving.

Amarilys Gott

Strategy Advancement Lead, Healthcare Research (Compliance)

Humana

Law School & Year: Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Caracas, Venezuela (2001)

LinkedIn: Amarilys Gott | LinkedIn

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?

Membership in the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group has been instrumental in helping me understand the nuances of the U.S. legal profession, particularly Florida’s corporate and in-house environment.

As an internationally trained attorney, I joined the group with significant legal and business experience but recognized the importance of understanding the professional practices, expectations and unwritten rules that influence career development in the United States. Through the group, I have connected with accomplished attorneys, including internationally trained lawyers who have successfully established themselves in the U.S. corporate sector. Their experience and guidance have helped me make informed career decisions and position my international background as a professional strength.

Serving as Chair of the Membership Committee has also allowed me to contribute to the organization by promoting engagement, welcoming new members and supporting women as they develop their professional networks and careers.

The friendships and relationships I built through the group have been incredibly meaningful. We celebrate each other's successes, offer advice during challenges, and support one another through career transitions. That support has played an important role in my growth and confidence as a leader. The encouragement, mentorship, and sense of community I gained through this organization have been invaluable, and I am grateful to be part of a group that truly lifts one another up.

What is your current role, and can you describe a typical day in your position?

I serve as a Strategy Advancement Lead within Humana’s healthcare research organization, where I lead research compliance and strategic operations for federally and privately funded research initiatives in a highly regulated healthcare environment.

My responsibilities include oversight of subrecipient compliance, data and research contracts, contract lifecycle management, HIPAA and privacy requirements, and regulatory alignment with NIH, PCORI and 2 CFR Part 200 requirements.

I partner with legal, finance, privacy, compliance and research teams to strengthen internal controls, maintain audit readiness and support ethical and compliant research practices. I also develop governance tools and frameworks, including Power BI dashboards, to improve portfolio visibility, risk monitoring and strategic decision-making.

Before assuming my current role, I spent several years overseeing compliance for Humana’s Direct Marketing Services, with responsibility for federal and state compliance requirements applicable to healthcare marketing and sales activities.

What is your most rewarding professional achievement?

My most rewarding professional achievement has been building a legal, compliance and leadership career across Latin America, Europe and the United States.

Before relocating to the United States, I advised domestic and international corporations on corporate, commercial and labor matters. My work included supporting companies expanding throughout Latin America and managing complex relationships involving corporate leadership, employees, government authorities and workers’ unions.

After relocating to the United States, I successfully transitioned my legal background into healthcare compliance and strategic operations. I am particularly proud of having adapted my international experience to a highly regulated U.S. healthcare environment while continuing to expand my responsibilities as a compliance and business leader.

How do you see the role of women in the legal profession evolving in the coming years?

Women will continue to assume broader leadership roles across legal, compliance, risk management, strategy and business operations.

The role of an in-house legal professional increasingly requires more than technical legal knowledge. Effective advisers must understand the organization’s objectives, identify legal and operational risks and provide practical guidance that supports informed business decisions.

As more women advance into leadership, mentorship and sponsorship will remain essential. Representation is important, but lasting progress also requires women in leadership to create opportunities, share knowledge and advocate for the next generation.

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