Could you share with us the story of your path to becoming an in-house counsel? What motivated you to choose this career path?

During my internship and the first years of my career in the legal industry, I had the opportunity to gain experience in many different disciplines of law in various law firms. Through these experiences, I realised that I would like to work actively in many areas of law, rather than specialising narrowly in one. Consequently, I have decided to become an in-house counsel and cultivate a comprehensive skill set within a company to respond to all its legal needs.

I have a strategic point of view and ability to detect risk beforehand, these aspects of me have led me to provide preventive legal services within a company. I believe that mitigating risks through preventive legal services is of great importance when managing a company or business.

In your role as an in-house counsel, what are the main responsibilities and tasks you handle on a day-to-day basis?

The bulk of my daily tasks revolve around the meticulous review and revision of contracts. While my primary focus pertains to B2B sales contracts, service agreements, collaboration agreements, and influencer agreements, I also undertake the scrutiny of numerous confidentiality agreements and personal data protection protocols. Moreover, I evaluate ethical codes, supplier regulations, and compliance commitments, all of which hold significant importance for globally operating enterprises.

I maintain close collaboration with the human resources team, offering legal counselling in the field of labour law. Additionally, I extend legal support to our service department in addressing customer requests and complaints.

Furthermore, I spearhead the company’s compliance project on personal data protection. Concurrently, I collaborate closely with the marketing team, aiding in the establishment of the legal framework underpinning campaigns and collaborative endeavors.

What are some of the key challenges you have faced as a rising star in-house counsel, and how have you overcome them?

Legal teams that engage in constant collaboration with sales teams often encounter challenges in keeping pace with the rapidity of sales operations. As a legal advisor for Open English, an organisation headquartered in Florida with extensive global operations, I have confronted the challenge in synchronising legal processes with the expansive scope of sales activities. However, drawing upon my prior experience collaborating with sales teams and recognising the paramount importance of effective communication, I swiftly adapted to these challenges. I firmly believe that in-house counsel can enhance their effectiveness by mastering the language specific to the teams they collaborate with, thereby facilitating clearer communication and enabling the provision of innovative solutions.