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

The SLB Asia legal team plays a key strategic role in SLB’s mission to drive technology and innovation in the energy industry for a balanced planet. The team provides coverage across a broad range of practice areas, and across diverse jurisdictions, spanning from Central Asia to New Zealand.

Energy is a key driver for the region when considering the needs of the population, growth and development ambitions, and energy security. Alongside the current geopolitical and macro dynamics, this presents many interesting opportunities and challenges for SLB’s Legal Team in Asia concerning:

Local content and in country value.

Complex commercial contracts.

Alternative and bespoke models for fit for purpose technology solutions.

Strategic teaming and alliances

Decarbonisation projects

Energy transition projects

Regulatory and compliance

Dispute resolution and litigation.

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?

Partnering with the right external lawyers for the right opportunities and challenges can be a differentiating factor when it comes to performance and outcomes. Partners who invest their time and resources to understand the company’s drivers, our industry, and overall macros are able to develop relationships with a long-term view. Additionally, the ability to communicate directly, anticipate and drive outcomes, and provide practical and innovative solutions (when required) are key considerations for successful collaborations.

As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

Over the next decade, companies will continue to operate, grow, and evolve in an ever-changing and dynamic environment. In-house lawyers will continue to provide critical input to provide solutions to complex problems. I believe a key skill for success will be the ability to consume information, synthesise, and apply it. Key areas of development will be around the usage of technology, best practices for efficiency, and prioritisation.

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

To build a strong relationship with business counterparts, it is important to understand their roles and perspectives. From there, collaborating and engaging to learn about the business, strategy, and objectives will provide context of the solutions required. Lastly, the ability to communicate concisely, clearly, and in plain language with the ability to deliver technically will bring credibility and partnership to the relationship.