13 Asian Legal Business | December 2024 Cover Story the dual-platform strategy by supporting projects like the China Electronics equity investment and the fundraising of the third-phase National Integrated Circuit Industry Fund. In the ESG space, the team enabled the investment platform to secure bilateral loans totaling £280 million under a green and sustainable financing framework. Amid rapid business changes, the La Prairie team has moved beyond traditional legal functions, taking a proactive role in driving commercial value. With support from both headquarters and local leadership, they led the application for Shanghai’s foreigninvestment incentives and funding. The team helped La Prairie and its new brand, Chantecaille, expand in China by launching pop-up stores, flagship outlets, and partnering with major e-commerce platforms, boosting channels and sales. They also managed local compliance issues, preventing escalation and recovering nearly 200,000 yuan ($27,500) in potential losses. Meanwhile, SUNMI Group’s Ma notes that the IoT and smart device sectors are undergoing rapid evolution, and the legal team is adapting in stride. Over the past year, the team played a pivotal role in achieving the group’s supply chain integration goals by forging partnerships with leading manufacturers. They also successfully defended the company against malicious IP litigation, safeguarding its rights and driving business growth across multiple dimensions. Growing together with the team Beyond supporting business growth, in-house teams are deeply invested in their own development and influence. In today’s market, limited resources pose challenges for many legal teams. La Prairie’s lean yet highly efficient legal team has honed its ability to maximize internal resources. “Despite constraints, we achieve synergy, making 1+1 greater than 2,” says Li. “Small but high-quality, our team focuses on strengthening core competencies to tackle challenges with agility.” As the youngest team on this year’s list, it has gained widespread internal recognition. Li highlights the team’s innovative approach: “We don’t just react to problems; we create solutions that exceed expectations.” She also values individual growth: “I ensure every member has opportunities to shine, knowing that we grow stronger by supporting each other.” At SUNMI Group, Ma highlights the role of structured team management in achieving excellence. “I clearly define each team member’s role and responsibilities based on their expertise, experience, and personal strengths. This ensures everyone can excel in their areas of expertise.” Ma also fosters trust and collaboration through regular team-building activities and offers diverse training opportunities, such as internal courses, external seminars, and industry workshops. To enhance knowledge sharing, the SUNMI team established platforms like weekly reports and a centralized knowledge base, enabling team members to learn from one another. Ma emphasizes creating an inclusive work environment that values diversity, encourages open dialogue, and supports members’ psychological well-being and career aspirations. The team regularly adjusts workflows based on feedback to optimize efficiency and satisfaction. Midea Group’s in-house team, established in 1984, has grown into a global powerhouse of 380 professionals, organized into a new structure comprising the Group Headquarters’ Centers of Expertise (COE), Business Partner (BP) teams in business units, and Shared Service Centers (SSC) for overseas operations. Kang shares her approach to managing this large team: “We adopt a business-driven approach, forming flexible project teams based on expertise and experience to maximize individual initiative. Through projectbased practice, internal training, and case-sharing sessions, we encourage collaboration, skill updates, and innovation to tackle complex global legal challenges.” Looking ahead, Ma emphasizes the importance of continuous learning to adapt to evolving market dynamics and meet enterprise demands with professional, efficient legal services. Li echoes this sentiment, saying, “It’s often said that a leader sets the ceiling for their team. That’s why I strive not to be a limitation, and always work to enhance my own perception and skills. My goal is to foster an environment where every team member can grow without limits.” “We don’t just react to problems; we create solutions that exceed expectations. I ensure every member has opportunities to shine, knowing that we grow stronger by supporting each other.” — Linda Li, La Prairie “我们的法务团队不满足于就事论事、被动解决问 题，也不机械应对，而是带着创造力、寻找创新的解 决路径，实现超出预期的工作成果。” — 李慧君，莱珀妮
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