Team size: Seven

What are some of the most important matters  your legal team has recently been involved in?

We have been involved in hydrogen-related projects, such as investment in, and construction of a new hydrogen refuelling station in Japan; and creating a joint venture company with Lotte Chemical to develop a large-scale hydrogen filling centre in Korea.

What is your team’s innovative improvement of the legal operation without substantial cost?

Using Google-based apps and other software platforms, the legal team created a ticketing system for contract review and manages the requests of the business team. Each request is automatically recorded in a corresponding spreadsheet, managed by the legal team, with all team members having their roles properly delineated. Also, the IT and legal teams created an e-workflow platform for contract signing. These systems were created by internal IT team and the legal team, without assistance from external vendors.

When selecting a law firm, how important is it to you that the law firm is aligned with the company’s values?

It is very important that external counsel understand Air Liquide’s values. We usually check law firms’ policy on sustainability and find their policies and values. We believe that the alignment of both clients and law firms’ values are important when we work together.

What do you think legal team in a company should do to build good relationships with law firms and other business partners?

Knowing each other is essential to building good and healthy relationships between the legal team and external firms. Legal teams research the industry in which external firms operate and create channels for open communication.

Also, the legal team should introduce the company’s business, core values and objectives to external professionals for them to understand the company’s needs and provide better services. Sometimes it takes time to develop a good relationship, but both parties should work towards a long-term relationship rather than a single project.