Delia C. Reyes
VP, Associate Counsel, Compliance & Ethics
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Law School & Year: Universidad Catolica Andres Bello (JD, 2001); University of Miami (LL.M, 2003)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deliacreyes/

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?
This group is an amazing group including some of the most inspiring women I have met in my career and my life. Being part of this group has significantly expanded my professional network, allowing me to forge truly meaningful relationships. These connections have blossomed beyond the professional realm, evolving into cherished friendships that enrich my personal life as well. Our group offers a safe haven where we can freely share our experiences, opinions, and ideas. It’s a nurturing environment that fosters the development of our leadership skills, not just as professionals, but as women, mothers, and attorneys. The support we provide each other is invaluable. We discuss relevant legal topics and openly share personal experiences from both our professional and home lives, which shape us into the leaders and professionals we are today. And let's not forget, we know how to have fun while doing all of this!

 

What is your current role, and can you describe a typical day in your position?
After spending several years working in contract review for some of the biggest corporations in SFL, I made a significant change in 2020 by entering the compliance world for the largest wine and spirits distributor in the US. In my current role, I am responsible for providing legal support in connection with alcohol beverage trade practice compliance and regulatory matters. This support enables our sales and other business teams to execute the company's business strategy and achieve our goals while ensuring compliance with both federal and state regulations. Given the highly regulated nature of the alcohol beverage industry at both the federal and state levels, I dedicate a substantial portion of my time to this area of compliance.

My responsibilities include developing and providing trade practice compliance training for all personnel in our selling divisions, drafting and creating policies, procedures, and guidelines, and offering ad hoc advice related to alcohol beverage trade practices within 15 states in the US. Additionally, I spend about 40% of my time reviewing and approving supplier and/or our participation in event sponsorships in those 15 states.

In the past year, our team has broadened its scope, and we are now working on developing a more comprehensive ethics and compliance program to address additional risk areas for the company.

How do you align legal strategies with the overall business goals in your company?
I firmly believe that for us to succeed, we must act as true business partners. While our primary role is to protect the company, it's crucial that we understand how to assess and balance risk with the company's needs and goals. I strive not to be seen as the department of NO. Instead, my approach is to always look for creative solutions that allow the business to achieve its objectives while remaining compliant with the rules and laws or assuming minimal risk. It's a delicate balance, but I am committed to finding ways to support our business endeavors in a compliant and innovative manner.

What book or magazine do you have on your nightstand right now? What book are you currently reading?
Confidence Creator by Heather Monhan
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

(December 2025 Member Spotlight)

Lucretia Pitts Barrett

In Transition, former General Counsel of Operations

Law School & Year: University of Miami School of Law, JD 2000

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lpittsbarrett

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

SFWICHG has given me the chance to collaborate and connect with local in-house women, which has positively impacted my career. The organization is designed to foster personal connections and mutual support among its members. The events are well-planned, offering valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and building strong relationships. I truly believe this group will continue to grow and strengthen its presence in the Florida legal community.

What area(s) of law do you specialize in, and what drew you to this particular field?
I practice in insurance, litigation, legal operations and technology, and artificial intelligence. My career choice reflects a deliberate blend of law, strategic legal thinking, and innovation. With 21 years’ experience in insurance defense and litigation, I bring a broad background in fidelity, financial institution crime policies, surety, homeowners insurance, personal and commercial liability, errors and omissions, and directors and officers coverage. My commitment to legal operations and technology began with contributions to the early Florida EPortal Filing System and continued with enhancements to filing systems and workflow automation throughout my roles. In recent years, I have enjoyed advancing workflow automation through artificial intelligence and expanding my practice to include emerging AI laws and the development of internal governance policies.

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

My daily habit to stay focused, grounded, motivated, and manage stress is my morning prayer where I thank God for the life that he has given me and pray that each day others can see His light in me. These prayers keep me focused on the real importance in life - family and community.

My second habit is an early morning review of my calendar and my To Dos for today and tomorrow. This knowledge provides me a smooth directive for each day. I closely follow my schedule, rescheduling tasks when critically necessary only.

What is your top 3 personal achievements that you are proud of?

1.    Continuing my family's baking tradition, I learned to make my maternal grandmother's German chocolate cake to perfection, earning special praise from my uncle.

2.    I went to law school to become an appellate attorney to argue the law for multiple judges at once. I had the privilege of arguing a case of first impression twice before the District Court and once before the Florida Supreme Court, resulting in a new interpretation of the resisting arrest with violence statute that protected undercover police officers.

Growing up on Chicago’s southside, I’m proud to have experienced different countries, cultures, and people during my travels. I’ve been blessed to study in the U.S., Japan, and Wales and visit England, France, the Netherlands, Central America, Canada, and many states in the U.S., including Alaska.

(October 2025 Member Spotlight)

Eve Perez-Torres

Senior Counsel

FedEx Corporation

 

Law School & Year: Florida International University College of Law JD 2019, Universidad de Cartagena LL.B. 2004

 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/evepereztorres

 

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 a professionally enriching and a personally empowering experience. It’s more than just a network of women lawyers. It is a community of women from different backgrounds and experiences that makes us all unique and similar at the same time. We share and understand the unique challenges and joy of being not only in-house counsel, but women as well. The sense of solidarity within the group is monumental. It is very powerful and inspiring being surrounded by accomplished women that also advocate for each other’s growth. In this group we are growing together.

 

 

How do you align legal strategies with the overall business goals in your company?

Transforming the perception of the legal department—from the so-called “Department of No” to a trusted strategic partner—requires a shift in mindset. It begins with a deep understanding of the company’s objectives at a granular level and a commitment to ensuring that legal guidance supports those goals ethically and effectively. My approach is straightforward and business-focused:

• Business Alignment: I prioritize collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure that legal strategies are fully aligned with the company’s broader objectives. Legal should be seen as an enabler, not a barrier.
• Adaptability & Risk-Calibrated Decision Making: I apply a flexible, pragmatic lens to legal issues, helping the business navigate risk intelligently without compromising compliance or integrity.
• Forward-Thinking Counsel: I stay ahead of regulatory developments and legal trends—both in the market and from a judicial perspective—to proactively position the company for success.
• Clear Communication: I translate complex legal concepts into practical, “short and sweet” business-friendly language, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.

 

Can you share a memorable or funny story from your time practicing law?

During Covid, when we were using masks in the office, a woman came to me asking me in English if a was “Yerlen” the paralegal. I couldn’t hear her well, but I answered: “No, I’m not German, I’m Colombian”. After that exchange, I could see her confusion in her eyes; then, it was like a flash in my brain when I realized that she asked me something different; so, I yelled at her laughing: "Nooo, I’m Eve!" LOL

 

If you could have dinner with any historical figure (whether alive or dead), who would it be and why/what would you want to ask them/speak to them about?

I would love to sit with God like the bible says that Abraham did. I would ask him so many things about his nature, his hobbies (he should have some), his character, and about the future 😊.  And if I could travel to the past, I would like to go back to Central America during the time of the Aztecs and Mayans. I would like to ask them how they developed the knowledge they had about the time, space, and astronomy.

(September 2025 Member Spotlight)