Team size: 12

What are the most significant cases or transactions you and your team have been involved in?

Supporting and facilitating innovative commercial strategies, my team has been actively involved in different types of business. With the advent of e-commerce, the company as well as our teal team had to learn to quickly adapt to the process. To support our company’s businesses, we have created practical guidelines including intellectual property law guidance, regulatory and legal playbooks regarding development of new products. By undertaking publicity campaigns, we enhanced the decision-making process for our marketing and sales function. One of the major initiatives that I take pride in is the implementation of the Sustainability & Environmental Centre of Expertise for the Latin America Region. As one of their sponsors, I advised on legal matters regarding current and new legislation on as well as business side of the external factors.

How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?

The pandemic trained us to be more resilient. To combat against the unknowns and the uncertainties of new regulations related to Covid-19, we strengthened our internal and external networks, collaborating effectively with other functions in the company to implement the best solutions for our people, businesses, and the organisation’s strategy. With the advanced digital tools and software, we are now confident that we can excel at home. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, allowed us to realise that remote work is not the end all; with the full-time remote work experience caused by the pandemic, the word ‘flexibility’ has a broader meaning now. Either full-time remote or office base work life is no longer considered to be flexible. With the new working practice of hybrid working scheme, leaders of different departments and companies must understand their team members’ expectations and circumstances while expressing empathy.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

Communication is key to develop strong relationships with business partners. Whilst listening closely to the concerns raised by both internal and external parties, we shared our risk assessment exercises to provide the necessary advice to each problem. Studying business acumen also helped us to communicate effectively with our business partners. Trust is essential to collaborate with business partners. Being the essential business partner means celebrating each other’s success together and learning from each other’s mistakes.