ALB CONVERSATIONS: John McLean, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Vistra

by Mari Iwata |

 

John McLean is general counsel and chief legal officer of Vistra, a corporate business service provider that operates in more than 50 markets globally. Having started…

ALB Conversations: Ryan Chung, Head of Legal for Southeast Asia, Klook

by Mari Iwata |

Ryan Chung, head of legal for Southeast Asia at online travel agency Klook, talks about why the one lesson that’s stuck with him through his career is the value of empathy; how he greatly values external lawyers who have a genuine interest in the company and are invested in its success; and why people don’t quit bad jobs, only bad managers.

ALB CONVERSATIONS: Penny Koo, general counsel and company secretary, AIA Singapore 

by Mari Iwata |

Penny Koo, general counsel and company secretary of AIA Singapore, talks about why having a team with diverse talent is a strategy she espouses, how she uses the rock-pebble-sand approach to ascertain her priorities, and why all advice—no matter how sound and accurate it is—needs to be concise and compelling. 

ALB Conversations: Richard Kurniadi, General Counsel, Kimberly-Clark Softex

by Mari Iwata |

Richard Kurniadi, general counsel of Indonesia’s Kimberly-Clark Softex, talks about why sometimes the legal function needs to push the boundaries without breaking the limit, how he wants his team to “play to win” instead of just "playing not to lose,” and why he’s a big fan of external lawyers who also have experience as in-house counsel. 

ALB CONVERSATIONS: Audrey Shum, Managing Director and General Counsel, Christie’s Asia Pacific

by Mari Iwata |

Audrey Shum, managing director and general counsel of Christie’s Asia Pacific, talks about why the in-house legal team is particularly important as a business enters unknown territory, how having a culture of mutual respect and inclusiveness is particularly important to her, and why it is critical that colleagues feel they are learning and growing and are part of a collaborative team.

ALB Conversations: Michael Ting, General Counsel (Legal & Compliance), Manulife (International)

by Mari Iwata |

Michael Ting, General Counsel (Legal & Compliance) of Manulife (International) Limited, talks about why heads of legal must continue to evolve and stay ahead of the curve, how external counsel provide meaningful comparative analysis to enrich his understanding of issues and cover blind spots, and why he encourages his team to always think of themselves as part of a bigger team.

ALB Conversations: Shuhei Fujimura, Senior Ethics and Compliance Manager, Japan, Oxford University Press

by Mari Iwata |

Shuhei Fujimura, senior ethics and compliance manager, Japan at Oxford University Press (OUP), talks about why the fundamental element of best practice in corporate governance is the establishment of an ethical culture, how risks are not always visible or exposed from the beginning, and why there is no perfect compliance system.

ALB Conversations: Gerry Amann, General Counsel - Growth Markets, Accenture

by Mari Iwata |

Gerry Amann, General Counsel - Growth Markets at Accenture, talks about how he builds teams  on integrity, courage, empowerment, and resilience; how the best relationships are based in two-way dialogue and intensive listening; and why there are no bad teams, only bad leaders.

ALB Conversations: Ramya Mohan, Vice President and Asia-Pacific General Counsel, Huhtamaki

by Mari Iwata |

Ramya Mohan, Vice President and Asia-Pacific General Counsel at Finnish food packaging company Huhtamaki, champions a lean, adaptable legal team, emphasizing curiosity and ethical values. Mohan values external lawyers who offer clear advice and understand business context. Her guiding principle? Clear intentions and responsible choices. Mohan's leadership integrates legal expertise with business acumen, driving sustainable growth in packaging.

ALB CONVERSATIONS: Emi Takeda and Takamasa Makita, Managing Directors, Legal, Accenture Japan

by Mari Iwata |

Takeda and Makita Takamasa, managing directors in the legal department at Accenture Japan, discuss the leadership lessons they have learnt, the importance of company culture, and the best advice they have received.