What are some recent high-profile matters in which your legal team has been involved?

The team has been involved in a number of high-profile matters including providing legal support for the MUFG US business restructuring. We have also been providing legal support for investment in start-up companies. We have provided support for entry into and investment in new businesses at MUFG, for example, the establishment of a new bank subsidiary and investment in a space business company.

What innovative business improvements have your legal team implemented without spending a lot of money?

The legal team has implemented a few different tools and systems to improve the business. The team introduced a number of knowledge management tools as well as project management tools. These have helped the organisation and the sharing of knowledge internally and externally. We have also implemented computerised contract management systems.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values?

It is an important prerequisite to select a law firm that agrees with our values in order to receive advice which is in line with our company’s ‘reason for being’ and business objectives.

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

In-house lawyers should build strong relationships with their business partners by building a sense of trust between one another. In-house lawyers should also look to deepen the mutual understanding regarding the business between themselves and their partners so that they remain on the same page. Another important factor would be to keep open equal communication between the counsel and the business partners.