| Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines)
| International Container Terminal Services
| Liwayway Marketing Corporation (Oishi Group)
| Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank)
| Travellers International Hotel Group (Newport World Resorts)
In this first-of-its-kind edition of The Legal 500: GC Powerlist Philippines Teams 2024, we are honored to spotlight the nation’s premier in-house legal teams. These outstanding departments have harnessed their legal expertise to drive their organisations’ success strategically.
Philippines’ in-house counsel have navigated a dynamic and challenging year, demonstrating resilience and innovation in addressing potential risks without straining their companies’ budgets. A notable example is the legal team at AREIT, which adopted a hot-desking policy to improve accessibility. This approach has facilitated earlier and more frequent consultations, preventing potential issues at every stage. As the AREIT team shared: ‘Traditionally, lawyers have been seen as problem solvers, only called upon when trouble arises. This perception has often intimidated project and operation teams. By making our team more accessible, we have integrated our lawyers more effectively into company projects and processes.’
In-house counsel in the Philippines have been pivotal in supporting some of the country’s most significant transactions, maintaining a reputation for innovation and excellence. Their dedication and expert legal knowledge continue to set them apart.
In this edition, we also explore the creative strategies employed by these legal teams to align with their companies’ business goals. Their ability to foster internal cohesion and build a strong team identity has been crucial to their success. The legal team at Avida Land Corp. emphasises the importance of creating a collaborative environment: “We create a safe space for discourse and collaboration among all team members, regardless of rank or seniority. Everyone is encouraged to contribute, but the final decision lies with the lead. We also prioritise health and rest, encouraging participation in sports activities, the use of vacation days, and executive check-ups.”
As the legal landscape in the Philippines continues to evolve, in-house counsel remain committed to driving their companies’ growth and success through legal excellence, adaptability, and innovation. The GC Powerlist: Philippines Teams 2024 celebrates their achievements and serves as an inspiration for legal professionals striving for excellence in the country’s ever-changing business environment.
Joe Boswell
Global Editor: The Legal 500 GC Powerlist
As a proud sponsor of this landmark event, Villaraza & Angangco was honored to celebrate the achievements of the Philippines’ top in-house legal teams. This year marks a significant shift in focus—from the Legal 500 recognizing individual achievements to celebrating the collective excellence of legal teams. This shift reflects the evolving role of in-house counsel, who are increasingly seen as strategic partners within their organizations, driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and contributing significantly to their respective companies’ success. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, the challenges faced by legal teams are more complex than ever. The teams recognized at this event have not only risen to the occasion but have also excelled by tailoring their strategies to seamlessly align with their respective companies’ overarching goals and vision. This demonstrates how the role of in-house legal counsel goes beyond being troubleshooters or merely ensuring legal compliance; it is about being key drivers of corporate strategy.
The achievements of these legal teams are a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of the industries or business context in which you operate, further proving that when legal expertise and business acumen are combined the results can truly be groundbreaking and transformative.
We at Villaraza & Angangco extend our deepest congratulations to each team for your remarkable contributions. By sponsoring this event, we aim to promote the sharing of best practices in hopes of continuing to elevate the standards of our profession. It is through coming together to acknowledge and learn from one another’s successes that we can truly drive the entire industry forward.
On the evening of Wednesday, 30th October, The Legal 500 proudly hosted the launch event for the GC Powerlist Middle East 2024.
The event brought together a distinguished group of in-house counsel from across the Middle East, thanks to the support of our sponsors: Taylor Root, ALC, Al Muhamoon Al Mutahidoon, Lawyers On Demand, Meysan, Nami Associates, Omar Al Rasheed Law Firm, and Sharq Law Firm.
Sara Maggi, deputy editor for The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series, opened the evening with a warm welcome. Following her, representatives from our sponsors shared their congratulations. Bapsy Dastur, general counsel and head of corporate risk, compliance and legal at VFS Global, offered valuable insights into the challenges currently facing general counsel in the region. Abdullah Najjar from Meysan also took the stage, celebrating the Powerlisters for their adeptness in navigating today’s complexities, highlighting the shift in their roles from traditional legal duties to broader business leadership.
The celebration continued as Abdulwhahab Sadeq, Partner at Meysan, invited attendees to receive their certificates on stage.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for their support and partnership. Most importantly, congratulations to all featured in the 2024 edition; your recognition is a testament to your hard work and dedication. We look forward to 2025, aiming to showcase an even wider representation of the region’s top in-house lawyers.