9 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS CHINA • 亚洲法律杂志-中国版 WWW.LEGALBUSINESSONLINE.COM/CHINA COVER STORY In many companies, in-house legal teams typically fall within the realm of back-office operations, often seen as the unsung heroes behind the scenes. While these teams play a crucial role in supporting the organization’s development, they are often labeled as a “cost centre,” seemingly disconnected from financial performance and commercial value. However, in today’s landscape of expanding businesses, heightened market competition, and evolving business models, the role and significance of internal teams are undergoing a transformation, with their value extending beyond traditional boundaries. Specifically, these teams are actively involved in major deals, leveraging their negotiation skills to enhance their organizations’ growth and profitability. They handle potential and existing legal disputes and arbitrations, safeguarding companies against financial and reputational risks. They engage in corporate operations, instilling compliance principles and elevating compliance standards. Moreover, they possess a deep understanding of business dynamics, innovating work methodologies to integrate legal expertise with business strategies, thereby directly contributing to revenue generation and even evolving into a “profit centre.” In light of these developments, ALB recently conducted a specialized survey on the commercial impact of internal teams. By evaluating market and peer feedback and meticulously scrutinizing the teams’ involvement in significant deals or projects, successful legal proceedings, innovative contributions to corporate operations, direct revenue generation, as well as the diversity and complexity of their work, ALB presents the inaugural ALB China Top 15 Business Support In-House Teams. These top 15 teams operate across various industries, including semiconductors, renewable energy, life sciences, electronics, real estate, agriculture, automotive, finance, investment, e-commerce, and manufacturing materials, among others. Geographically, three teams are headquartered in Beijing, three in Shanghai, with one each in Harbin, Qingdao, and Wuxi. The remaining six teams have members distributed across different locations, including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiaxing, Xuzhou, Changzhou, Changji, as well as members working in Europe and the United States. Regarding team size, one team comprises over 100 members, five teams have between ten to 100 employees, while the rest have between five to ten members. Fourteen teams have been established for more than five years, with five of them operating for over a decade. LEGAL DUTIES VERSUS COMMERCIAL VALUE “In the traditional sense, the role of an in-house team has primarily been that of a ‘gatekeeper’ and a ‘catalyst’: while ensuring high-quality business growth, the in-house team must also maintain the bottom line and manage risks. Moreover, it’s crucial for the team to elevate the company’s strategic assets while ensuring compliance,” says Gu Yi, Legal Director of Xinfengming Group Co., Ltd.’s Legal Department. He believes that the in-house team should adopt a more proactive stance within the company. “We can leverage our professional expertise and influence to take the lead in developing relevant strategies within the company. Simultaneously, we should harness both internal and external resources to showcase our ability for horizontal leadership and coordination, thereby enhancing the organization’s commercial value.” Gu asserts that while the in-house team may not directly generate commercial value, it unquestionably safeguards and enhances it, and can even emerge as a key contributor to corporate value in certain domains. “The responsibilities of the in-house team and its commercial contributions are mutually reinforcing. Making a commercial contribution doesn’t entail mimicking the actions of business units. Rather, it involves enhancing value based on our LEGAL & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, ADVANCED MICRO-FABRICATION EQUIPMENT INC. CHINA 中微半导体设备（上海）股份 有限公司法务与知识产权部 LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT, AUSTAR LIFESCIENCES LIMITED 奥星集团法律合规部 LEGAL & COMMERCIAL DEPT. BUHLER GCR 布勒大中华区法务商务部 LEGAL DEPARTMENT, HARBIN ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD. 哈尔滨电气国际工程有 限责任公司法律合规部 LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF HISENSE REAL ESTATE 青岛海信房地产股份 有限公司法务团队 LEGAL TEAM, HYLINK DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CO., LTD. 华扬联众数字技术股 份有限公司法务团队
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA0NzE4Mw==