Leadership and Empowerment in Law

By PPO Abogados

This article was originally published in Issue No. 37 of Trendsetter

In the world of law, few stories reflect the evolution and empowerment of women as clearly as that of Pilar Soruco Etcheverry. At 73 years of age, this La Paz–born lawyer has witnessed and played a leading role in change within a profession that for decades was dominated by men. Since graduating in 1977 from the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Pilar has not only left her mark as a legal professional, but has also been one of the main driving forces behind women’s access to complex fields such as Intellectual Property, an area traditionally dominated by men.

Over more than four decades, Pilar led ORPAN Sociedad Civil, a law firm that stood out for its excellence in Intellectual Property at both the national and international levels. Today, she continues her career as a partner at PPO Indacochea, one of the country’s most important law firms. Beyond her professional success, however, Pilar has been a constant advocate of teaching and mentorship, understanding that true power multiplies when knowledge is shared. Through her teaching work at the Bolivian Catholic University and at UPSA in Santa Cruz, she has trained hundreds of young lawyers—many of whom now lead teams and hold key positions in the legal field.

For Pilar, teaching was not merely a way to pass on technical concepts, but an opportunity to inspire other women to challenge gender barriers and forge their own paths in law. “Teaching has a multiplier effect: when one woman manages to break through, others find the motivation to follow,” she reflects. This impact has been particularly significant in a discipline such as Intellectual Property, where female representation was—and in many cases still is—limited.

While Pilar celebrates the progress that has allowed more women to occupy leadership positions in the legal arena, she is also aware that structural and cultural challenges remain. Although visibility and inclusion have improved, she emphasizes that true progress will come when competence and merit are the only factors determining professional advancement, regardless of gender.

Pilar’s message to new generations of women is clear and direct: “Believe in yourself, pursue your goals with determination, and do not let obstacles stop you. Perseverance, ethics, and passion are the foundations on which a solid and respected career is built,” she says firmly.

The story of Pilar Soruco Etcheverry is the story of many women who, through hard work and dedication, have managed to transform their surroundings. Her example reminds us that female empowerment is not only a right, but an ongoing process that is strengthened with every step, every struggle. And it does so quietly yet effectively—through women like Pilar, who open doors so that others may walk through them.