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

As the associate general counsel for Thailand, Philippines, and Myanmar, I have been involved in several notable cases, projects, and transactions over the past year. While some of these matters are confidential, I can provide a general overview of the types of work I have been engaged with. We have been working closely with local regulators to advocate, shape and ensure compliance with evolving laws and regulations in Southeast Asia.

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

To maintain resilience during times of instability or crisis, I focus on several key legal strategies. I begin with thorough risk assessments to identify and address potential legal vulnerabilities. I also ensure that our crisis management plans are both comprehensive and regularly updated to support rapid and effective responses when needed. Strong relationships with regulators, law enforcement, and industry partners are essential, so I prioritize stakeholder engagement to enable smooth collaboration and information-sharing in critical moments.

Ongoing compliance monitoring is another important element, helping us stay aligned with evolving laws and regulations. Communication plays a vital role as well, so I establish clear channels to keep stakeholders informed of legal responses and developments. Throughout this process, I remain adaptable and ready to adjust our legal strategy as circumstances shift.

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

In my view, successful in-house counsel must possess a combination of business insight and legal expertise. Understanding the organization’s goals and operations allows for strategic legal guidance, while commercial awareness helps balance legal risk with business needs. Clear and effective communication is critical for translating complex legal concepts into practical advice for stakeholders. Building trusted relationships and collaborating across teams is equally important, as is being adaptable and proactive in responding to change. Finally, keeping current with legal and regulatory developments is essential for maintaining technical competence.

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?

Several emerging trends warrant attention. The growing role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is reshaping industries, including the legal sector. In-house lawyers need to be mindful of the benefits and risks, such as concerns around confidentiality, data privacy, and algorithmic bias. Additionally, digital transformation is accelerating across industries, and it’s important for legal teams to understand new technologies and assess their potential impact on business operations and legal compliance.