Team size: Five

What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have recently been involved in?

We provide legal and compliance support to the project team that is expanding manufacturing operations into Vietnam to support Pandora’s growth. This includes involvement in designing the legal entity structure and investment planning, engaging suppliers for construction, machinery, and specific turnkey projects for our factory, and ensuring compliance with our Code of Conduct and local laws.

We are also involved in supply chain projects. We provide contract support to our key stakeholders in their initiatives aimed at building supply resilience and innovation networks that support growth and sustainability targets. For example, we have been directly involved in negotiating contracts with external partners for lab-grown diamonds and recycled silver and gold.

Moreover, we have been involved in dispute resolution. The legal and compliance team has managed a variety of disputes, prevented escalation, and taken the necessary actions to protect the interests and reputation of the organisation.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Thailand over the next five-ten years? 

Based on my experience and observations, the evolution of the general counsel role will be influenced by three factors: sustainability, the VUCA world, and the need for talent development.   

Sustainability is reshaping our priorities. The increasing awareness of this topic around us will require the legal team to extend our knowledge beyond the law, keep up with changes in how this agenda is integrated into the business, and utilise all the knowledge we possess to offer well-rounded advice to our stakeholders.   

The VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world will require us to become more resilient, develop our mindset to embrace change, and improve our ability to better predict risks. Possessing multifaceted skills and technological literacy will be key enablers in navigating this environment. 

Furthermore, these factors will require us to prioritise and foster continuous learning and development for ourselves and our teams. This ensures that we can continue to contribute to the business in a meaningful way.

Are the effects of AI on the legal world overplayed, or underplayed? 

In the times we now live in, the impact of AI on our legal world cannot be overstated. AI technology is rapidly evolving and gradually transforming the way we work. It enables us to become smarter, more efficient, and to add greater value to the business. Similar transformations are occurring in other industries and professions. This transformation may soon lead to a shift in our stakeholders’ expectations regarding what and how the legal team can deliver. To take the impact of AI on our profession lightly and to not continuously adapt to its advancements may not serve those who wish to thrive in their legal profession.