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

We are a dedicated team operating under a regional setup to manage all legal matters related to the wind power business across the Asia-Pacific region.

Our responsibilities encompass corporate affairs, contract negotiations, and customer interactions whenever legal inquiries arise. As we navigate the renewable energy sector, an emerging industry characterised by technologies that are not yet fully mature compared to other energy sources, there exist unique challenges. They range from the necessity to continuously identify and mitigate risks inherent in the rapid development of the industry, to addressing external uncertainties in the global landscape. Our goal is to ensure customer satisfaction while aligning with the company’s vision.

In the context of Vietnam, the past year was relatively subdued for renewable energy, as policy developments not progressing as expected. Despite this, we achieved notable milestones by effectively assisting our customers in navigating local market challenges. These included amongst other things addressing financial difficulties faced by projects unable to meet deadlines required for incentivised feed-in tariffs and managing extraordinary circumstances arising from nearshore wind farm projects (a unique type of wind power development in Vietnam, distinct not only in the region but also globally). Through these efforts, we have enhanced product integrity and reliability while securing the interests of all stakeholders within the established contractual framework.

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

At Siemens Energy, our team is fortunate to be part of a global legal community, which enables us to stay promptly and accurately informed about global trends and emerging risks.

We regularly conduct team meetings of varying scales and expertise to facilitate the robust exchange of information, ensuring that every member is equipped with the knowledge necessary to navigate uncertain factors effectively.

In this regard, I do believe that lifelong learning is essential for securing the resilience of an organisation, both at the individual and any organisational levels. Learning should not be confined to acquiring new skills or completing courses. It should also encompass any type of information that aids in making informed decisions or taking decisive actions.

In a fast-paced world filled with uncertainties, failing to keep ourselves adequately informed may place the company at risk of responding to specific situations with insufficient insight.

This is particularly pertinent for those working as in-house legal professionals, who may not have the same exposure or convenient position to observe the in-the-field problems as their business colleague. In-house counsel might also not have access to the extensive legal resources that their counterparts in law firms enjoy. However, in-house legal professionals have the unique advantage of understanding business demands from an insider’s perspective. It would be a missed opportunity not to leverage this insight, by means of learning, to develop tailored, business-driven legal opinions that contribute significantly to the organisation’s resilience.

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

Think of a modern lawyer as a sponge, always soaking up new information, but hopefully not getting too soggy. In the world of in-house counsel, especially in Asia, I think there are a bunch of traits that make you a top-notch sponge.

First up, you have got to be a learning machine. The legal world is like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, with new rules popping up all the time. Being adaptable is key. In this regard, self-awareness is your best friend. Know what you’re good at and what needs a little polish.

Business acumen is not an old story. To provide meaningful advice, you must have a deep understanding of your company’s intricacies. However, it’s equally important to be assertive and refuse requests that don’t align with your goals. Avoid becoming a mere puppet within the company. To strike a balance, effective communication is your superpower. In Asia, where people often read between the lines, clarity is your secret weapon. Listen up! Truly listen. Understanding your clients and colleagues’ needs is akin to finding the perfect pair of shoes, comfortable and just right.

So, to develop towards a top-notch in-house counsel, you need to be a lifelong learner, self-aware, business-savvy, brave, and a true listener. These traits not only boost your legal skills but also fit right in with the cultural vibes and business scene around here.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this? 

Although this may sound biased, renewable energy is a cause that I am deeply passionate about.

Renewable energy, with its modern yet beautiful technologies, has the potential to make our world greener and more sustainable. I recall the first time I stood atop the wind turbine, over 100 meters tall, gazing through the entire wind farm until the horizon. It was a humbling experience to realise how small I was in comparison to the world, the size of the wind turbines, and how human-made technology can transform the natural force into the most sought-after resource of the world.

Working in the renewable energy sector also presents a tremendous learning curve, with constantly challenging yet intriguing topics that arise on your desk. It is not uncommon to encounter unique questions that require extensive brainstorming.

Furthermore, I believe that many of us, at some point in our lives, have aspired for our work to make a meaningful impact on the world we live in. As a father, I want to be able to share the remarkable contributions I have made with my child.

Being a lawyer is certainly not a boring career, but with the many confidentiality obligations and professional ethics we must adhere to, it is not always easy to proudly share our accomplishments. It can be quite tricky to explain how a few sentences in a contract can help our clients earn or save millions of dollars, and how this translates into a positive impact on the world.

When I tell my children about the work I do in the renewable energy sector, I can see the pride in his eyes. It is a field that is not only fun and innovative but also aligns with my values and aspirations for a better world.