Team size: 14 at immediate level, 170+ in total at the group company level 

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

We have been involved in and worked on several cross-border, multi-jurisdictional legal disputes, including matters arising from long-term joint venture failures and product licensing transactions. As the in-house legal team, our primary goal is to assist the business team in developing an overall dispute resolution strategy that aligns with actual needs and is in the best interests of the company, and to implement that strategy decisively. In practice, due to the complexity of these cases, we operate in the manner of project managers, coordinating with multiple internal and external parties to ensure that each case is properly managed. This is particularly critical for multi-jurisdictional cases, where we must determine how the matter will proceed under different jurisdictions and how any resulting judgments may interact, if at all.

Moreover, as dispute resolution often involves significant evidence gathering, it is essential for us to understand the technical background of each case so that we can ask the right questions, obtain the necessary evidence, and identify potential legal arguments embedded in the facts and evidence. For example, one dispute concerned the importation and distribution of a pharmaceutical product, where a key issue was whether there had been an infringement of the counterparty’s know-how and confidential information. To analyse this question, we needed to understand the fundamentals of how the product was manufactured and the different technical routes available, in order to identify distinctions between the various methods.

Because these cross-border disputes span multiple jurisdictions, we must also assess how each case under different laws may affect the others, determine the most appropriate forum, and execute the case in the most cost-efficient manner. This requires the team to have a clear understanding of both substantive and procedural requirements in each jurisdiction and to select the strategy most suitable for the case. For instance, in one matter involving a Singapore-governed contract with a North Asian counterparty, we had to analyse both Singapore law and the law of the target country to determine the optimal approach to secure a preliminary injunction on the counterparty’s assets, thereby ensuring that the company could enforce the judgment if successful in the substantive proceedings.

We also coordinate with external law firm teams in each jurisdiction, providing them with updates and legal arguments from other cases to ensure alignment and successful implementation of our overall strategy. Failure to manage these firms properly could result in them lacking the support and evidence necessary to develop their legal arguments, potentially leading to substantial and unnecessary legal fees that could accumulate rapidly.

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

In the current period of instability, I believe it is critical for the legal team to adopt a proactive, rather than reactive, approach when facing changes and addressing legal challenges. Given the geopolitical instability and rapid regulatory and legislative developments worldwide, the legal team must actively identify potential changes that could impact the company’s business, rather than wait until such changes have already occurred. For example, we have established a dedicated regulatory monitoring task force, and the team routinely researches and follows up on draft regulations that could have substantial effects on our operations. By tracking these developments, we gain a clearer understanding of how potential regulations may affect us, enabling us to formulate risk management plans and take precautionary measures to mitigate these risks.

Moreover, as the business environment evolves rapidly due to technological innovation and competitive pressures, the legal team must possess a deep understanding of the business and anticipate challenges in advance. This allows us to help the business prevent risks before they materialise. For instance, if business leaders plan to enter a new industry or expand the existing product portfolio into a new territory, the legal team must conduct thorough legal research and develop a risk mitigation plan beforehand, ensuring that the new venture commences smoothly and operates in full compliance. This proactive approach is particularly important in the current volatile climate, as business leaders often require rapid execution plans to test opportunities and grow the business. By planning ahead, the legal team supports the business efficiently, rather than impeding its development speed.

Given the current geopolitical shifts and growing uncertainties around international free trade, has your company’s risk profile evolved, and are you taking measures to address these challenges?

Yes, I believe the company is facing heightened risks in the current volatile period, arising from multiple sources, including but not limited to project implementation instability, counterparty breach, and regulatory uncertainties. We have implemented several measures to address these challenges.

First, we conduct full-scale risk assessments of our counterparties. We perform more in-depth evaluations of potential partners, extending beyond the usual background checks, and have developed a counterparty database to track their actual performance. Periodic reviews are conducted for key parties to ensure they remain capable of fulfilling their obligations.

Second, we have established a full life-cycle contract management system. Signing a contract marks only the beginning; we receive periodic reports to monitor whether the terms and conditions are being adhered to. Where deviations are identified, an internal assessment determines whether corrective action is required. Our aim is to address minor deviations promptly, preventing them from escalating into significant issues that could compromise the overall arrangement.

Third, we operate a regulation and legislation outwatch programme. To monitor developments that may affect our industry, we track draft laws and regulations and analyse their potential impact on the business should they come into force. This proactive approach allows us to advise business leaders of emerging risks and integrate mitigation plans into the business strategy in advance.

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?

I believe one trend we have observed is that companies are increasingly focused on short-term interests and benefits rather than long-term cooperation, which is particularly evident in the current business environment. Consequently, it is crucial for us to establish a comprehensive risk mitigation and monitoring system to manage the company’s exposure, rather than relying solely on a single line of protection—for example, contract terms alone may no longer be sufficient. Moreover, we must anticipate potential issues and risks across the entire partnership in advance, ensuring that the legal agreements adequately address these contingencies. Given the present environment, the parties may lack the appetite or incentive to renegotiate the overall transaction, making it essential that we have carefully considered the entire arrangement before entering into any agreement.

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

I am passionate about using my legal skills to contribute to the greater good of society, which is also why I am drawn to working in the pharmaceutical industry. This sector can have a tangible impact, helping to address previously untreatable conditions. I feel a sense of reward when I am able to assist the company in closing a transaction or reaching an agreement related to a potential product that can make a meaningful difference for patients.