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

We have a highly efficient, multi-cultural, diverse team of legal counsels with regional hubs located in Singapore (APAC region), US (US and Canada), Denmark (EMEA region) and Brazil (LATAM region) to support the global business in legal, compliance and data privacy topics. Key transactions involved in last year include:

In the last year, our legal department, with regional hubs located in Singapore, US, Denmark and Brazil, has been involved in some significant cases. For instance, we have led the completion of all steps, from a legal perspective, to ensure readiness for a US listing of a line of business within the company, and have closed 12 M&A deals, globally, acquiring various retail chains of hearing aid companies. Also, we have successfully reached a settlement, as a result of a clear negotiation strategy in a key US litigation, during the pandemic, resulting in WS being paid by the defendants for our claim of US$10m. Additionally, we have performed a global restructuring to optimise and streamline group wide entities for effiency and cost savings, while also reviewing and updating our global data privacy strategy and approach, and releasing a new set of online compliance training on areas such as antitrust, data privacy and conflicts of interest. Lastly, we have participated in the establishment of a manufacturing hub in Mexico, driving negotiations with landlord and vendors to a successful conclusion.

Did the pandemic lead to a lasting increase in the interaction your legal team has with the strategic plans of the company?

Absolutely. The legal team was even busier than usual, dealing with challenges raised by the pandemic, as our legal department was crucial various parts of the business, particularly managing challenges with the customers and suppliers. We were also roped in to review existing set up and practices to drive more proactiveness and risk mitigation across various parts of the business.

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

I would suggest being ready to step out of legal shoes and participating in the decision making, as providing legal advice is no longer enough. Also, understanding the business, its challenges and the pressures from business partners, developing a holistic view of all issues. Lastly, staying calm and composed is very important, remaining as the eye of the storm, particularly when the going gets tough. During these times is always important to seek solutions or a compromise to drive the way forward. I find it the best way to gain respect and trust from business partners.