25 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS – MAY 2024 WWW.LEGALBUSINESSONLINE.COM At the Bank of Singapore, Huen is convinced that the era of in-house lawyers being generalists is gone, as he expects corporate legal professionals to be much more sophisticated by, for example, harnessing the power of technology to complete tasks better. “Today’s general counsel would need to help create a culture where lawyers unlearn certain practices and adapt to new styles of working with a focus on high-end and complex work. Providing upskilling opportunities to better understand the business will be equally important as well,” says Huen. In-house lawyers also need to be “horizon scanners” in times of heightened geopolitical risks and market turbulence, he says. “What this means is the need to be knowledgeable in many key areas such as sustainability issues, geopolitics, technology advancements, social issues and regulatory trends,” says Huen. “A lot of issues would also require understanding of laws, risks, and business practices beyond the jurisdiction of one’s workplace as businesses become increasingly globalised. Therefore, our advice must take into consideration a wider spectrum of factors, including cross-border issues.” Strategic thinking and adaptability, meanwhile, are prized by the Dong-A ST team. This entails adeptly navigating regulatory hurdles, embracing novel approaches, and comprehensively grasping the company’s business strategies and priorities to deliver legal support that enhances value and aligns with business objectives. In addition to heightened sophistication, Guyala of Nestle Philippines believes in-house legal teams also need to be agile in order to be effective. Kumar at Larsen & Toubro agrees. “Adaptability and agility are essential attributes of a resilient legal department. These qualities ensure that the department can swiftly respond to changing legal landscapes and organisational demands, effectively managing risks and seizing opportunities,” he says. “By embracing flexibility in their strategies and operations, legal teams can adjust their approaches as necessary, navigating complex regulatory environments and aligning with shifting business goals. This adaptability not only mitigates disruptions but also positions the legal department as a proactive, strategic partner within the organisation,” he adds. To add an interpersonal touch to business dealings, Kato of INPEX underscores the importance of a deep understanding of the industry regulatory framework and having strong working relationships with regulators. “A genuine appreciation for cultural differences and mutual respect for each other’s cultures and business styles, which is demonstrated through our communications and actions, is fundamental,” says Kato. ASIA TOP 15 IN-HOUSE TEAMS 2024 METHODOLOGY • In-house teams’ significant achievement in aspects of: - Legal expertise - Efficiency/creativity - Team depth and strength - Breadth of jurisdiction/practice areas/industries - Use of technology - Support for the overall business goals and strategies - Impact and significance • Lawyers and law firms that have represented the team and feedback • Market recognition Nestle Philippines Dong-A ST
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