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

As a market leader in Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence software, SAS remains committed to its mission: transforming a world of data into a world of intelligence. In 2023, we continued our strategic innovation efforts, enhancing our product offerings. This included significant advancements in the SAS Viya cloud-native and cloud-agnostic data and AI platform, as well as the development of tailored solutions addressing industry-specific needs and cross-functional domains.  

As a legal counsel specialising in the software industry, my role involves providing legal guidance on software and professional services agreements. I manage legal matters for the company, serving multiple in-house clients with integrity and ethical diligence while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Notably, our successes in Thailand extend beyond the software analytics foundational tools. We also deliver software solutions that help our customers align with compliance and regulatory requirements, particularly in areas such as fraud intelligence, risk management, and customer intelligence. Additionally, I am progressing towards cloud integration and embracing AI technologies. By leveraging my expertise in software licensing, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance, I streamline the sales process and foster trust between parties, ultimately contributing to successful outcomes. 

Furthermore, I actively collaborate with cross-functional teams to align legal strategies with business objectives and market demands. Staying informed about industry trends and emerging legal developments, I provide strategic guidance to capitalise on new opportunities and navigate evolving regulatory landscapes. Through effective communication and collaboration, I help optimise sales strategies, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth. 

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?  

Over the past year, our legal team has continued to prioritise efficiency and cost-effectiveness in contract management. Building upon the foundation laid last year, we expanded our efforts by establishing a comprehensive library of standardised legal document templates and clauses. These resources cover common scenarios such as licensing agreements, service contracts, and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). By leveraging these templates, we were able to expedite contract creation processes, reducing the time and effort required to generate agreements while maintaining consistency and accuracy. This initiative has resulted in significant time savings and heightened productivity for our legal team. 

Furthermore, our integration of technology, exemplified by the Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system introduced last year utilising the DocuSign application, has continued to enhance our contracting processes. By offering clients shorter, more concise contracts with a click licensing mechanism, the technology automates and streamlines customer contracting, leading to quicker deal closures. We’ve also consolidated all client contracts, subscription agreements, and other paperwork in one accessible location, facilitating efficient management and retrieval of documents. This approach has proven to be highly effective and cost-efficient, enabling us to complete transactions more rapidly and with fewer negotiations. Utilising tools like DocuSign for sending Universal Terms Order Forms (UTOFs) has become standard practice at our organisation, ensuring swift and hassle-free contract signings by our clients. 

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

A harmonious coexistence is essential in the dynamic interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and legal practice. The effects of AI on the legal world lie at the intersection of promise and caution. AI can enhance legal research, streamline processes, and improve decision-making. However, ethical considerations remain paramount. As AI assists, legal practitioners must ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness, ensuring that technology serves justice rather than supplant it.