What innovations have you made to the way your legal team works in the past year?

In the past year, our legal team has embraced innovative approaches to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. A key development has been our adoption of Generative AI tools through WPP’s Open platform. This technology has revolutionised our workflow, enabling us to tackle routine tasks more efficiently, conduct thorough document reviews, compare Codes of Conduct with greater accuracy, and assist in drafting clauses and letters.

Additionally, we’ve implemented a Self-Help service for the business, which has significantly reduced the time and resources previously spent on handling repetitive requests. This initiative has empowered our internal clients to address common legal queries independently, allowing our team to focus on more complex and strategic matters.

These innovations have not only improved our productivity but also enhanced the quality of our legal services. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and implementing user-friendly solutions, we’ve been able to provide faster, more accurate support to our stakeholders while optimising our team’s workload. This forward-thinking approach has positioned our legal department at the forefront of legal innovation, setting a new standard for efficiency and client service in the legal field.

Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners?

I believe the key to successful collaboration with business partners lies in several interconnected factors: a deep understanding of the business’s operations, goals, and challenges; proactive, clear communication to build trust and integrate legal considerations early; translating legal concepts into business language for better comprehension; adopting a solution-oriented approach that balances legal compliance with business needs; building strong relationships with key stakeholders across business units; embracing legal tech, including AI tools, to enhance efficiency and accessibility of legal services; continuous learning to provide forward-thinking advice; and flexibility and adaptability in our approach based on business needs.

By focusing on these elements, we position ourselves as valuable strategic partners rather than mere gatekeepers. This fosters a collaborative environment where legal expertise actively contributes to business success, creating a win-win situation for both the legal team and the broader organisation.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about, and why?

I am the current President of the Association of Corporate Counsel Singapore, and through this role, I am deeply passionate about fostering an engaged and connected legal community. My commitment lies in nurturing the next generation of corporate lawyers, guiding them to become commercially astute professionals who can add significant value to their organisations.

I believe in mentoring junior lawyers to look beyond the traditional role of contract drafting and to develop a keen understanding of business operations. My goal is to help them identify areas where their legal expertise can have the most impact, aligning their work closely with organisational objectives.

This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of in-house legal teams but also elevates the role of corporate lawyers as strategic partners in business. By focusing on commercial acumen and value-added services, we can create a more dynamic, respected, and influential legal community. This passion drives my work at ACC Singapore, where we strive to provide resources, networking opportunities, and educational programs that support this vision.