Southeast Asia 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Director of corporate services and general counsel | Eastern Pacific Shipping
Head of legal, Singapore & South East Asia | Cushman & Wakefield
General counsel Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan and India (legal and regulatory) | EssilorLuxottica
General counsel and vice president corporate development | Campana Group
General counsel (Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei) | Coca-Cola Beverages Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei
Country general counsel and GAM Lead | 3M Philippines
General counsel, APAC and interim global general counsel of JLL Technologies | Jones Lang LaSalle
Executive vice president, legal and international projects | Thoresen Thai Agencies (TTA)
Legal director Indonesia | KPMG Siddharta Advisory
Group general counsel and chief sustainability officer | Jardine Cycle & Carriage
Regional legal director – ASEAN, Global Business Solutions, Global Expansion Markets | Reckitt
Head of legal compliance and risk management (APAC) | LIMAGRAIN Thailand
General counsel Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific | Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific
COO and general counsel, Asia Pacific | Aquila Clean Energy APAC
Chief compliance officer, SVP legal and compliance | Globe Telecom
Director of legal services, ethics, regulatory and compliance operations | Accenture
Director – group general counsel and group chief corporate officer | GoTo
Managing director, Southeast Asia and North Pacific legal | Fedex Express
Vice president and head of legal | DKSH
Head of legal affairs, Michelin E2A region (East Asia and Australia) | Michelin Asia Pacific
Global chief legal, ethics, and compliance officer | Jollibee Foods Corporation
Vice president legal, Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa | KONE
Vice president - legal, ethics and compliance; corporate secretary and DPO | Republic Cement
General counsel and chief compliance officer, APAC | CBRE Investment Management
Chief legal and compliance officer, Aboitiz Group general counsel | Aboitiz Equity Ventures
Group general counsel and chief legal officer | NWP Property
Senior vice president - legal services head and data privacy officer | Asia United Bank Corporation
First senior vice president, corporate secretary, general counsel | Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
Vice president, corporate and operations, legal division | PTTEPP
Group senior vice president, legal and compliance; company secretary | Changi Airport Group
General counsel and head of legal and compliance | GUESS Group
Corporate secretary, chief compliance officer, senior vice president, chief legal officer | Aboitiz Power
Vice president legal and compliance | Singapore Airlines
General counsel and executive vice president corporate services | BW Group
General manager, legal services | Malaysia Airports Holdings
Head, group legal, compliance and risk management | Warisan TC Holdings
The Southeast Asia GC Powerlist is undoubtedly one of the very best editions we produce across all the Legal 500’s publications focused on the global in-house legal community. As well as the huge range of legal talent in the business powerhouse of Singapore, with its large domestic companies and well-funded regional legal teams at the major multinationals, we are able to consider the cream of the crop that the dynamic emerging markets of Southeast Asia have to offer as well. This gives us a huge number of talented general counsel, chief legal officers and legal heads to choose from, and deciding who should appear in the final edition gets harder each year as the number of quality nominations increases.
Thank you to everyone who provided such excellent interviews to us, and there are a number of highlights I’d like to point out in my introduction that are well worth reading – though it should go without saying that all the profiles here provide a rich bounty of insight to any legal professionals looking to see what makes the modern GC tick.
On the deals side, Chia Kangyu was kind enough to give some insight into the largest take-private deal in the offshore wind energy services industry in the Asia-Pacific region, valued at US$702m.
In her interview, Audra Balasingam spoke eloquently about team management, emphasising the importance of creating a collaborative and supportive work environment with regular feedback and recognition of achievements.
Matthew Teismann’s activities to support children with neurological and learning differences was inspiring to read about, and reminds us that the work that we do, however important, is just a small part of the lives we lead and the mark we can leave on the world.
Especially in the wake of the recent US election results and the potential tariffs that are now in the pipeline to affect global trade, Dr Tir Srinopnikom’s thoughts on futureproofing your business in an uncertain and increasingly chaotic world now seem particularly prescient.
And finally, I had a chuckle reading Carl Dunton’s answer to a question on how best to collaborate with business partners. It is brief enough to quote in full:
“It is the same as being on a first date. Listen. Make it all about them. Saying no is fine, but make sure you have a good reason”.
Alongside those who are impressive enough to have been profiled on previous occasions, we are happy to be including some excellent GCs for the first time this year. Huge congratulations from everyone in the Legal 500’s in-house legal research team for making it onto this bumper 2024 Southeast Asia Powerlist.
Joe Boswell
Global Editor – GC Powerlist Series
Legal 500
On behalf of Jones Day, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of the counsel recognized in the GC Powerlist: Southeast Asia 2024. We are honored to have worked alongside many of you and witness firsthand the critical role in-house counsel play in driving successful transactions and navigating the complexities of the Southeast Asian business landscape.
Your inclusion in this prestigious powerlist is a testament to your unwavering commitment, exceptional legal expertise, and dedication to innovation. We are delighted to see your achievements acknowledged among the most influential and impactful legal minds in the region.
The Southeast Asian business environment is undeniably dynamic and challenging, marked by evolving legal frameworks, diverse jurisdictions, and the impact of global trends like technological advancements and increasing regulatory scrutiny. General counsel are at the forefront of navigating these complexities, providing invaluable strategic counsel and ensuring compliance across their organizations.
At Jones Day, we understand the unique challenges and cultural nuances of operating in Southeast Asia. Our Singapore office, established in 2001, serves as a strategic hub for our multilingual team, supporting clients across the region. Many of our partners have deep roots here, having lived and worked in the region for most of their careers. Our QFLP license further strengthens our commitment to Southeast Asia, enabling us to practice Singapore law in key areas such as commercial, corporate, and finance, and distinguishing us as one of the select firms with this privilege.
Beyond our regional expertise, Jones Day is a globally integrated law firm, operating as One Firm Worldwide. We have a network of more than 2,400 lawyers across 40 offices on five continents. This unified approach allows us to create inter-office and cross-practice teams, ensuring that all of our firm’s resources are dedicated to achieving our clients’ objectives.
Jones Day values the partnership we share with our clients and acknowledges the dedication and achievements of their in-house counsel. We are proud to support the GC Powerlist: Southeast Asia 2024 and look forward to continued success and collaboration with our clients in the years to come.
LOD are thrilled to sponsor the GC Powerlist Southeast Asia 2024, an event dedicated to celebrating the outstanding contributions of the region’s top General Counsel, Heads of Legal, and the rising stars shaping the future of the in-house legal community. After months of rigorous research, we are excited to see the results unveiled on November 14th at the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
The role of the General Counsel has evolved significantly in recent years, becoming a critical pillar of strategic leadership within their respective companies. Moving beyond providing legal advice, GCs now serve as trusted advisors to executive teams, helping navigate complex regulatory landscapes, mitigate risks, and drive business growth. They play a crucial role in shaping corporate governance, influencing company culture, and ensuring ethical standards are upheld.
We are in an incredibly exciting time for legal counsel in the region, as Southeast Asia emerges as a dynamic hub of economic growth and innovation. With rapid advancements in technology, evolving regulatory landscapes, and an increasingly complex global business environment, legal professionals in the region are at the forefront of shaping and navigating these changes.
This evolving landscape presents a wealth of opportunities for legal counsel to redefine their roles, expand their influence, and become pivotal figures in their organizations’ growth and success stories.
It’s a time of transformation, and legal counsel in Southeast Asia have the chance to lead, innovate, and set new standards for the in-house community.
We look forward to raising a glass and sharing in the success of this remarkable community over drinks and canapés. See you there!
It has been an absolute pleasure for Legal 500 to host the launch of the GC Powerlist Switzerland 2025 at the iconic Baur au Lac in Zürich, honouring Switzerland’s most accomplished general counsel and senior in-house legal professionals across industries.
Taking place in one of Europe’s leading financial and innovation hubs, the reception convened the nation’s foremost corporate legal minds for an evening of reflection and celebration. It spotlighted the growing influence of in-house counsel as strategic partners who balance innovation with integrity, and who drive sustainable transformation within Swiss and international organisations alike.
Opening the event, Carmen Godoy, lead editor of the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Switzerland 2025, welcomed the guests and reflected on the strength and forward-thinking nature of the Swiss in-house community. She highlighted that the research behind this year’s edition revealed a profession characterised by integrity, innovation, and a strong sense of responsibility: one that continues to evolve with agility, foresight, and humanity.
According to Godoy, three core themes stood out during this year’s research. Firstly, resilience and governance, as Swiss legal teams continue to act as stabilising forces within their organisations. Secondly, digital transformation, with legal departments embracing technology, data analytics, and AI to become more proactive and future-ready. And, finally, sustainability and inclusion, as in-house counsel increasingly embed ESG principles and
diversity into corporate culture, leading with both purpose and empathy.
The evening also featured insightful remarks from Daniel Hayter, vice president Europe at Axiom Law, and Alexander Wyss, managing partner at Baker McKenzie Switzerland. Both shared their views on the evolving role of general counsel as strategic partners and innovators within their organisations. They highlighted the critical importance of in-house
legal teams learning to integrate and work alongside AI, an ally that enhances, rather than replaces, the strategic and human leadership of general counsel. Their reflections reinforced the essential role of collaboration between firms and in-house teams in fostering a resilient and forward-looking legal ecosystem.
This year’s GC Powerlist Switzerland 2025 honourees had the opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives with the Legal 500 team and their peers, engaging in energizing conversations that highlighted the strength, ethics, and forward-looking approach of the Swiss legal community.
On behalf of the entire team at Legal 500, we extend our warmest congratulations to all those included in the 2025 edition of the GC Powerlist: Switzerland. Your leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence continue to set the benchmark for the profession both within the country and internationally.
We also wish to express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, Axiom Law and Baker McKenzie Switzerland, for their continuous support in helping us celebrate the remarkable in-house legal talent driving progress across Switzerland.
