Team size: five  
 

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

SHERA, one of ASEAN’s leading manufacturers of fiber cement construction materials, not only pursues the global export of its products but also collaborates with leading companies in Indonesia to enhance sales potential through joint ventures. Furthermore, the company is expanding its production capacity by establishing factories in India and the Philippines. 

In relation to the joint venture in Indonesia, I was involved in the due diligence process, which encompassed drafting and negotiating the Non-Disclosure Agreement and Shareholder Agreement. My responsibilities also included participating in the establishment of the joint venture company in Indonesia and designing its organisational structure in accordance with Indonesian laws and regulations. 

For the factory establishments in India and the Philippines, I was engaged from the land acquisition phase, which involved negotiating and executing land purchase agreements and coordinating with government agencies to secure land ownership for the company. This process also required drafting and obtaining the necessary construction permits to ensure compliance with the respective countries’ laws and regulations. 

These initiatives required financial evaluations, thereby requiring the drafting of related financial agreements as well. 

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?  

One notable innovation I initiated concerned the development and implementation of a legal and compliance system in said department. Our department faced considerable challenges in managing and accessing the vast volume of documents and files from our company and its affiliates. These documents were dispersed across various locations, both digital and physical, leading to disorganisation, inefficiencies, wasted time in searching for documents, and difficulties in ensuring that all team members had access to the latest versions. 

To address this issue, this system streamlines the entire process from when a user submits any legal work to the department until the work is completed, including the request for signatory, scanning, and final closure by the legal and compliance department. Furthermore, this system centralises and manages contracts and documents currently in effect, providing a comprehensive history and robust search functionality within a secure digital repository. 

This innovation not only optimised our workflow but also ensured a high level of document security and accessibility, thereby significantly improving the overall efficiency of the department. 

How do you motivate and manage your legal team well? 

My objective is to elevate the legal and compliance department to a strategic level that not only supports all business units but also proactively provides recommendations to mitigate legal and business risks. To achieve this, I employ effective leadership, communication and professional development strategies as follows: (i) articulate the company’s vision and goals — clearly explain the company’s vision and goals to ensure each team member understands how their role contributes to these objectives. This alignment helps in achieving cohesive and attainable goals; (ii) foster a collaborative environment —old regular meetings to discuss ongoing tasks, upcoming deadlines, and challenges. Provide one-on-one feedback to keep everyone on track and motivated. Create an atmosphere where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns; (iii) provide opportunities for professional development and career path — offer opportunities for expanding job scopes and further training in both soft and hard skills. This includes seminars, workshops, on-the-job training, and relevant courses to enhance their expertise; (iv) ensure work-life balance — offer flexible working hours to help team members balance their professional and personal lives. 

By implementing these strategies, I believe I can create a motivated, efficient, and harmonious legal and compliance team capable of achieving high levels of performance and job satisfaction.