Team size: Eight

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Over the past year, our legal team has contributed to several strategic initiatives that reflect the expanding role of in-house counsel. One key project was leading the legal structuring of a high-value joint venture with a regional partner to support our market expansion worldwide. This required navigating complex cross-border regulations and aligning closely with internal strategic and financial teams to ensure long-term success.

In addition, we played an important role in supporting a major M&A transaction involving the acquisition of a key strategic asset. Our team was responsible and assisted other business units in conducting due diligence, transaction structuring, and negotiating critical terms while balancing commercial priorities with regulatory constraints. By working hand-in-hand with business development and external advisors, we ensured the deal was executed efficiently and with minimal risk exposure.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to enabling business growth, managing complexity, and reinforcing legal as a core driver of strategic execution.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

During periods of instability, I focus on preparedness, clarity, and collaboration. We view crisis management as part of ongoing business continuity, proactively identifying potential legal risks – whether from regulatory change, cyber threats, or supply chain disruptions.

In a crisis, our legal team acts quickly and decisively, providing leadership with practical, legally sound guidance. We emphasise legally compliant yet empathetic communication to maintain trust with stakeholders and minimise reputational risk.

We also empower business units with clear legal protocols and training, enabling agile response within safe legal boundaries. Our aim is not just to manage legal exposure, but to help the organisation navigate uncertainty with confidence and integrity.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel must go beyond legal expertise – combining agility, business acumen, and strategic thinking. Acting as a trusted advisor who contributes to key decisions is now essential. Strong communication skills are vital to translate legal complexity into actionable guidance. Integrity, resilience, and ethical judgment remain core, while staying informed on technology and embracing innovation enables proactive risk management and supports business growth. Striking the right balance between legal precision and practical solutions defines success in today’s role.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?

Key trends from the past year include the rapid rise of ESG-related regulations, especially in supply chain due diligence and environmental disclosures, which are becoming legal mandates rather than voluntary initiatives. Data governance and cross-border data transfers are also under growing scrutiny, requiring constant attention to evolving global privacy laws.

Additionally, the integration of AI into legal operations is transforming how legal teams work—from contract analysis to risk forecasting. While these tools offer efficiency, they raise complex issues around ethics, confidentiality, and compliance. Staying ahead of these trends is vital for in-house lawyers to lead with insight and integrity.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Successful digital transformation starts with mindset and ends with execution. We align legal initiatives with the company’s broader digital strategy while ensuring full compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). A core strategy is adopting legal tech platforms with built-in privacy features—such as encryption, audit trails, and access controls. We are also considering the possibility of adopting Robotic Process Management (RPM) for our legal department as you can automate repetitive legal tasks such as contract review, compliance checks, and document management. RPM can streamline workflows, reduce human error, and integrate AI tools for legal research and risk analysis, allowing lawyers to focus on strategic, high-value activities.

We conduct regular privacy impact assessments and collaborate closely with our data protection officers and IT teams to ensure data minimisation and consent protocols are in place. Education is equally key, ensuring our team understands both the capabilities and risks of each tool. By embedding compliance from the start, we enable a smarter, faster legal function without compromising trust or data integrity.