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

SAS is a market leader in advanced analytics and artificial intelligence software. We aim to transform a world of data into a world of intelligence and continue to lead the market by helping customers make decisions with the most trusted analytics. My role is to support the company by providing legal advice and assistance concerning software, professional services agreements and to manage legal business matters pertaining to the company responsibly and ethically.

Our major achievements in Thailand are related to providing software and services to comply with compliance and regulatory requirements such as Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Fraud and International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), including both IFRS9 and IFRS17 for central banks and insurance companies. The key is to drive and optimise customers’ business, including the ability to know the impacts of the changes in accounting for financial instruments. In addition to the daily role, SAS has announced its intention to be ready for an initial public offering (IPO) by 2024. SAS Legal team, including myself, will be integral in leading SAS toward IPO readiness by ensuring we are educated and prepared for this new stage in SAS’ future, as the US securities regulations are complex and can be challenging to navigate and apply without specialised training.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most? Which have you found most useful in your legal team?

It impacts the in-house legal role in many ways. The Covid-19 pandemic resulting in requirements to work away from the office has completely changed how people and businesses operate. We launched the new Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system this year at SAS. The system automates and accelerates customer contracting, allowing deals to close more quickly by providing customers with shorter, more concise contracts with a click licensing mechanism. All documents, contracts, subscription agreements and more are stored in one convenient location for both SAS and our customers. It has been wildly successful in closing deals faster, with fewer negotiations proven to be seen. We are undergoing transformative digitisation and benefitting greatly from what technology can offer.

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

Establishing and building a trusting relationship is key for an in-house lawyer to be a valuable business partner. Besides being a trusted advisor and knowing the business and the law, it is also essential for an in-house lawyer to connect easily with new people, put others at ease and gain personal acceptance. We can build strong relationships by using appropriate interpersonal styles to establish effective relationships with internal partners and interact with others in a way that promotes openness and trust and gives them confidence in one’s intentions.