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

Boardroom Limited and its group of companies (“the Group”) is a leading provider of corporate services with over 50 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region, offering solutions in corporate secretarial, accounting, tax, payroll, and share registry with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, Hong Kong and the latest addition in Vietnam.

Our Group legal team supports the businesses across the countries which the Group operates as well as the regional expansion of the Group. The works carried out by the team include providing legal support on product, services and business development, conducting due diligence, providing legal advice, preparing and/or reviewing term sheets, agreements and documents to support regional expansion as well as advising on employment, trademark, licensing and litigation matters.

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

There are a number of key steps to be taken during periods of instability or crisis to ensure resilience.  

Firstly, reviewing relevant contracts, laws and regulations related thereto, identifying legal issues such as potential legal liabilities, regulatory penalties, financial and reputational risks and drawing up proposed action plans to address and/or mitigate them. Secondly, keeping the Board of Directors and senior management apprised of the progress and presenting report and action plans to them for decision. Thirdly, engaging internal stakeholders to cascade the top management’s decision, providing guidance for implementation and preparing communication material, communicating and/or co-ordinating with relevant personnel to communicate with authority (if applicable) and other external stakeholders. Finally, reflecting on the issues and working with business units on improvement plan from the operational processes to legal documentation.  

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

A modern in-house counsel must possess an inquisitive mind, strong analytical skill and ability to embrace changes swiftly to be ready for the ever-changing landscape be it technology disruption, rising geopolitical tension or political instability.

To support company’s goals and business growth, the in-house counsel must also possess good interpersonal skills to work seamlessly with business units, have sound business and financial astuteness to provide pragmatic and commercial viable solutions, and have the ability to cover vast spectrum of work in a fast-paced environment.  

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

I am passionate about giving opportunities to my team members, developing their skills in the process.  

It is important for my team members to learn how to approach and solve problems, master the ability to learn and develop new areas and skills to be prepared for the ever-changing business environment, legal landscape and regulatory requirements; and not wait to be trained and follow what has been done before. My role is more as a mentor, providing them with support and guidance. They must not be afraid of making decision as long as the decision is well thought through and supported with rationales.

I was once asked by an officer from the State Bank of Vietnam why I took in many fresh graduates and not more experienced staff to join the legal team as it would be easier for me. Today, I am glad to see all of them excel in their respective fields.