What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

In my current role, and over the past year, the key responsibilities have included: being an integral part of and contributing to growth strategies, operations deployment, implementation of strategic initiatives of business leadership team. Transactions/cases related to these are M&A deals, IP licensing and overseeing key strategic customer, supplier and development contracts and leadership on the structuring, negotiation, governance, formation and execution of joint ventures, local business partner and technology collaborations supporting market access strategies. Also, legal and compliance strategy through cross functional collaborations. Matters related to these include complex compliance investigations related to internal financial controls and leading audits. Managing key disputes and litigations/arbitrations, including shipping and logistics matters.

Furthermore, ensuring and contributing to the development and implementation of intellectual property strategy of the business, including overseeing strategic assertions of IP and patent litigations globally, as well as leading the negotiations of two settlements in the last 12 months. I’m currently involved in giving advice related to trade control sanctions and regulatory issues globally, for instance the Russia Ukraine conflict, US controls on China etc.

What are some of your main tips for dealing with a crisis? 

Preventive preparedness, having written crisis management plan, full grasp of background facts and desired business outcomes, have the latest applicable local laws/regulations, as well as timely engagement with relevant stakeholders/crisis management team members.

Additionally, I believe it’s important to have a technology/AI leverage, for example, data visualisation and tracking of assets and personnel. It’s also important to have clarity in prioritisation to avoid hesitancy and misjudgement for example people first in cases where there are potential human consequences. Lastly, less is more in media and/or public statements.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this? 

Very important. External lawyers must be on the same wavelength with the company’s in-house teams and should be able to understand the company’s business conduct ethos and public image.