Team size: Three

Nitithorn Witoonnopparuj currently serves as the general manager of the legal department at CG Corporation. He is also a Ph.D. candidate in the Technology Management and Innopreneurship Program at Chulalongkorn University. His research focuses on knowledge-sharing innovation systems for legal consultants and lawyers in Intellectual Property Law firms in Thailand.

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

CG Corporation is a joint venture established in 2018 between C.P. LAND, a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Group, and Guangxi Construction Engineering Group. Our company invests in and develops the CPGC Industrial Estate. In 2023, our team faced significant challenges. Our company secured its first foreign client, who invested in Thailand and purchased land in our industrial estate. Subsequently, many foreign clients, primarily from China, signed MOUs and agreements to sell and buy land in the industrial estate. 

The most significant transaction I was involved in was with one of the world’s leading technology groups in the consumer appliance sector, which chose to invest in Thailand and purchase land in our industrial estate. This transaction marked a major milestone for our company. To ensure its success, I closely collaborated with and supported all related departments, including business and marketing, engineering, finance, and accounting, to respond to the client’s demands. Negotiating the terms and conditions with the client was particularly challenging, as we needed to find mutually agreeable terms until the agreement was executed.

Moreover, I provided essential legal advice on foreign investment, business operations, required registrations, permissions, and land ownership for foreign companies in Thailand. This support extended not only to this client but also to others, many of whom were investing in Thailand for the first time. Our efforts facilitated a smoother entry into the Thai market for these companies, enhancing their investment experience and fostering long-term partnerships.

How do you motivate and manage your legal team well? 

Given the core business of our company in developing industrial estates and selling land to investors entering Thailand, the legal department plays a crucial role in our transactions with clients. I motivate my team by reminding them of their significance to the company. On an individual level, I provide opportunities for team members to express their ideas and showcase their strengths. This approach allows me to manage the team’s work effectively by assigning roles and responsibilities that align with each member’s expertise.

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

Ultimately, the impact of AI on the legal world lies somewhere between the overplayed and underplayed extremes. AI is an innovative tool that can augment the capabilities of legal professionals, making their work more efficient and effective. However, it is unlikely to completely replace human lawyers. The legal profession is built on nuanced understanding, ethical considerations, and human judgment, which AI cannot fully replicate.   

In my personal opinion, while AI may be disruptive, we should prepare and improve our understanding to adapt to its effects on the legal world. By staying informed and adaptable, we can leverage AI to improve our practice rather than fear its impact.