| Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Company
| China Orient Asset Management (International) Holdings
| China Overseas Land and Investments
| Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Hong Kong Branch
| The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
On behalf of The Legal 500, it is our distinct pleasure to present the GC Powerlist: Hong Kong Teams 2023, marking a triumphant return after a pandemic-induced hiatus. In this inaugural edition, we are honored to shine a spotlight on some of Hong Kong’s most exceptional in-house legal teams. These teams stand as an example of legal prowess, having harnessed their legal acumen strategically to propel their organisations toward success.
The past year has unfolded as a dynamic and eventful period for Hong Kong’s in-house counsel. They have faced a myriad of new challenges, navigating the ever-shifting landscape of an increasingly demanding business environment. Foremost among these challenges has been the unwavering commitment to ensure compliance with an ever-expanding array of regulations. At the same time, the proactive implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) initiatives has introduced new complexities and responsibilities within these departments.
Amidst these formidable challenges, Hong Kong’s in-house counsel have continually displayed unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence. They have been instrumental in facilitating some of the most substantial transactions that have graced the country’s recent history. Their reputation for innovation and excellence within the sphere of in-house legal affairs has remained steadfast, serving as a testament to their profound dedication and unmatched legal expertise. Furthermore, they have consistently played pivotal roles in dispute resolution, deftly liaising with external counsel and meticulously assessing potential risks. These skills have made them indispensable assets in safeguarding their companies’ interests.
The GC Powerlist: Hong Kong Teams 2023 is compilation that clearly reflects the resilience, adaptability and dedication of Hong Kong’s in-house counsel towards continuous growth and development in the face of global healthcare crises, rapidly developing technology, stringent ESG requirements, and necessary DE&I initiatives, while acting as true business partners by championing the use of dispute resolution. On the importance of an applicable dispute resolution stragey, China Orient Legal Department eloquently states:
“Our strategies, while protecting the company’s growth and interests, also consider the majority concern of all parties, emphasising early negotiations and settlements… This preparation enables us to construct an evidence chain, devise initial strategies, and minimise potential losses; we utilise legal and non-legal tools to develop effective response plans that uphold the company’s rights and interests.”
This stance is echoed by many others, along with the view that the creation of a dispute resolution strategy should include contributions from other departments for a more robust result.
In response to an ever-increasing need for actionable and effective ESG initiatives, general counsel in Hong Kong have leveraged their role in addressing this need, primarily by ensuring compliance with constantly developing ESG requirements. The legal team at COSCO Shipping Ports “proactively conducts in-depth analyses to grasp the new ESG requirements in regions where the company operates and proposes compliance initiatives to meet the ever-growing expectations and regulations surrounding ESG disclosures.”
Finally, in an era of increased focus on representation, in-house counsel have taken steps to ensure true inclusivity, creating teams that are more reflective of the diversity of society. BNP Paribas, for example, has a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee that “actively promotes the creation of an inclusive working environment in which diversity is celebrated for all concerned, and the team has partnered with external organisations to generate internship opportunities for the benefit of candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds or who have physical disabilities.”
Hong Kong’s legal landscape will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish. The GC Powerlist: Hong Kong Teams 2023 is a tribute to the impressive competence of these elite professionals at navigating this environment, expanding their roles to true business partners. Hence, it is easy to believe that these inspiring teams will continue to positively impact the legal environment, given their impressive resilience, adaptability, readiness to learn and innovative abilities.
Sara Maggi| Deputy Editor The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series
Funke Olufon| Research Analyst The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series
The GC Summit: Saudi Arabia 2025 gathered leading figures from across the Kingdom’s legal and business landscape for a full day of dynamic conversations, thought leadership, and peer learning. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Riyadh, the conference served as an important forum for general counsel and other senior legal counsel to discuss the evolving challenges and strategic opportunities shaping the corporate legal function today. The day’s agenda was marked by a wide range of topics, including regulatory engagement, competition law, dispute resolution, family business dynamics, legal AI implementation, and market entry across the GCC. Featuring a line-up of influential legal minds, the summit highlighted the increasingly strategic role of general counsel and offered practical takeaways for those navigating complex legal and commercial environments.
The summit opened with a brief welcome address from the Legal 500’s research editor, Francisco Castro, highlighting the importance in gathering the country’s in-house legal community in events like the GC Summit, as a means for sharing best practices and making new and meaningful connections.
The first panel discussion, “Dealing with Regulators: Strategies for Effective Engagement and Advocacy,” examined how in-house legal teams can build strong, constructive relationships with regulatory bodies while safeguarding their organisations’ commercial interests. Moderated by Zamakhchary & Co., the panel brought together legal experts from both the public and private sectors. The discussion emphasised the importance of transparency, strategic communication, and positioning legal departments as trusted intermediaries between business and government.
This was followed by a session on “Shaping Competition Law in the Kingdom,” which explored Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving antitrust landscape. Representatives from Monckton Chambers, Al Akeel & Partners, and the General Authority for Competition discussed recent developments in the law, the culture of compliance, and the practical implications for legal teams operating within and outside the Kingdom. The panel reinforced the notion that effective compliance requires both a technical understanding of the law and a proactive corporate culture.
After a short coffee break, the programme resumed with “Friendly Until It Isn’t: Managing M&A Fallout Before it Starts.” This session focused on the critical importance of arbitration clauses in cross-border M&A agreements. Panellists explored how in-house counsel can reduce dispute risk from the outset by carefully crafting arbitration provisions, considering key elements such as institutional rules, confidentiality terms, and seat selection. Discussions also covered strategies for managing parallel proceedings and post-closing conflicts, offering a robust framework for navigating M&A disputes.
The fourth session of the day addressed a particularly sensitive area for legal professionals in the region: “Shareholder Disputes in Family Businesses and the Evolving Role of In-house Counsel in the Middle East.” The discussion shed light on the distinct pressures facing in-house lawyers in family-run enterprises, particularly as these businesses expand internationally. Speakers explored how to manage conflicts of interest, navigate cross-border legal differences, and mediate complex internal dynamics while upholding legal and ethical standards. The conversation highlighted the nuanced role of the in-house counsel as both legal advisor and trusted business partner in environments shaped by tradition and rapid growth.
Following lunch, attention turned to innovation with “How to Successfully Implement Legal AI: A Step-by-Step Guide.” This practical session was moderated by Francisco Castro from Legal 500, interviewing LEGALFLY’s CEO and co-founder, Ruben Miessen, who demystified the process of adopting AI in legal operations. From choosing the right use case to developing a compelling business case and piloting AI tools, this interactive and engaging presentation focused on actionable steps to unlock the value of AI in legal departments.
The final panel discussion, “Corporate and Commercial Challenges in GCC Market Entry,” addressed the legal and regulatory complexities businesses face when expanding into the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Experts from Meysan and their regional partners discussed key aspects of corporate structuring, foreign investment regulations, and commercial contract practices, offering attendees clear insights into risk mitigation and compliance strategies. The session emphasised the importance of local legal expertise and cross-border coordination for companies aiming to establish or scale operations across GCC jurisdictions.
The day concluded with closing remarks by Arwa M. Al-Shaghrood, General Counsel and Board Secretary at the FII Institute, who reflected on the role of general counsel in regional transformation and the summit’s success in facilitating knowledge exchange. A dedicated networking session followed, providing attendees with the opportunity to build new relationships and continue the day’s conversations in a more informal setting.
In all, the GC Summit: Saudi Arabia 2025 offered legal professionals in the region a timely and practical platform to explore emerging challenges and exchange innovative strategies. From regulatory engagement to legal technology and cross-border expansion, the summit reaffirmed the vital role that in-house legal departments play in shaping resilient, future-ready organisations in an increasingly complex legal environment. Legal 500 looks forward to returning to Riyadh for the release of its inaugural GC Powerlist: Saudi Arabia, highlighting the top corporate counsel in the country.
