Heart Of The Matter - A Podcast On Legal Developments From Around The World

Episode Summary: Angela Wang – 30 Years in Hong Kong LawThis episode features Angela Wang, a Singapore-trained lawyer who made the bold decision to establish her own boutique law firm in Hong Kong back in 1995. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, her firm stands as a testament to her vision for independence and her sharp understanding of Hong Kong's dynamic legal landscape.Angela shares how she skillfully navigated through multiple global financial crises while building a thriving cross-border practice, particularly benefiting from China's market opening. She offers unique insights by contrasting Hong Kong's entrepreneurial spirit with Singapore's more structured environment, shedding light on what truly sets Hong Kong's legal market apart.The episode delves into how her firm focused on mid-sized transactions, her strategies for adapting to Hong Kong's challenging business culture, and her resilience in surviving various economic downturns since 1995. She also touches on leveraging opportunities within China's evolving market and her thoughtful approach to balancing AI integration with traditional legal practice. It's an inspiring story of determination, adaptability, and a genuine passion for law, leading to three decades of remarkable success in one of Asia's most vibrant legal hubs.Our GuestAngela WangAngela is a graduate from the National University of Singapore and has practised with major international law firms in Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. Angela regularly advises major international clients including Fortune 500 companies on a wide range of corporate matters including the takeover of listed companies, IPOs, substantial asset restructuring, capital fund raising, cross border private equity transactions and structured financing in Hong Kong China and South East Asia. She also acts for China state owned enterprises and Chinese domestic companies and entrepreneurs in their various investments overseas.Angela is a regular speaker at legal conferences for corporate counsel and business chambers in Hong Kong, Singapore and China.Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

Are legal costs a burden or a strategic investment for your venture capital-backed company? In this episode of "Heart of the Matter," we chat with David Cameron of David Cameron Law Office about fundamentally transforming your view of legal representation. David explains why lawyers are now essential for VC-backed firms scaling rapidly and navigating complex capital tables. We discuss why innovative boutique law firms with fixed-fee models are often the perfect fit for their unique needs. You'll also learn how legal compliance can be a powerful strategic advantage that builds trust, especially in fast-moving sectors like fintech and AI. This conversation will challenge you to see legal spending as a genuine strategic investment that boosts growth and relationships. Ultimately, it's about seeing your legal counsel as true strategic partners in your VC-backed business's future.Our GuestDavid CameronDavid is a dual-qualified Hong Kong solicitor and New York attorney who has been advising on corporate matters and financial transactions across Asia, based out of Hong Kong, for over 16 years. David has worked for Linklaters and Allen & Overy in addition to, most recently, being a Partner at Dorsey & Whitney. ​​​David has a proven track-record of helping clients with enthusiasm and an entrepreneurial approach. This has resulted in multiple first-ever transactions and initiatives that have led to first-ever national rankings and various international awards. David is consistently ranked globally by institutions such as IFLR1000 and also ranked regionally by institutions such as IBLJ's Top 100 International A-List. ​David holds three graduate degrees, a JD, an MBA and an MA, from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Georgetown University.​Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

Discover why the U.S. securities laws, despite being considered the global "gold standard," have significant flaws in their insider trading framework. Professor Marc Steinberg reveals how the current system, based on vague fiduciary duty concepts, creates unfair outcomes and legal uncertainties.Drawing from his book "Rethinking Securities Law," Steinberg highlights the stark contrast between U.S. regulations and other developed markets. While other jurisdictions clearly prohibit trading on material non-public information, the U.S. approach leaves concerning loopholes, particularly in M&A situations.Key insights include:The need for a comprehensive "access" approach to insider trading rulesProblems with SEC's extraterritorial enforcementTensions between SEC regulations and Supreme Court decisionsComparison with more effective EU and Singapore modelsReady to dive deep into the complexities of securities law and understand why reform is crucial? Listen to this eye-opening episode that challenges everything you thought you knew about U.S. insider trading regulations.Our GuestMarc I. SteinbergMarc I. Steinberg is the Radford Professor of Law at the SMU School of Law. He has served as a Professor, Fellow, or has lectured at several other prominent universities, including the University of Cambridge, Oxford University, King's College London, University of Hong Kong, and University of Pennsylvania.  Professor Steinberg was an attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He also has been retained as an expert witness in several high profile cases.  Professor Steinberg is the most prolific author of securities law scholarship in the United States, having authored more than 150 law review articles as well as approximately 50 books. He is editor-in-chief of The International Lawyer and The Securities Regulation Law Journal.  Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

The episode covers key aspects of competition law in India, focusing on the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) approach to mergers and anti-competitive practices. The CCI scrutinizes deals where combined market shares exceed 30-40%, particularly among competitors, but has never blocked a transaction since the merger control regime began in 2011. Indian law generally treats companies and their subsidiaries as a single economic entity, except in bidding markets where group companies must avoid sharing sensitive information. The conversation highlights India's evolving competition law, drawing from mature jurisdictions while tailoring rules for the local market. Foreign investors are typically well-informed about Indian competition laws, aligning with approval processes and rules. The evolving legal landscape is seen as an exciting time for competition law practitioners in India.Our GuestVaibhav ChoukseVaibhav is a Partner in the Firm's Competition Law Practice with over 16 years of experience. He has been practicing competition law since its inception in India, specializing in complex litigation, and merger control, advising clients across diverse industries. His expertise spans complex competition matters before the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and appellate courts.In litigation, Vaibhav routinely advises multinational corporations and industry associations on cartel investigations and leniency, dawn raids, vertical agreements, abuse of dominance, and competition compliance. He has successfully defended global auto-component manufacturers, a multiplex operator, and a leading paper manufacturer in cartel cases. He currently advises major players in the seed, pharmaceutical, cement, and financial sectors in ongoing cartel and vertical restraint investigations. In abuse of dominance matters, he represents Hyundai and Ford in India's first auto-parts aftermarket abuse case and FabHotels in India's first MFN case against MakeMyTrip and OYO. He also represented Nuziveedu Seeds in its abuse of dominance case against Monsanto before the CCI and Delhi High Court. He is also involved in constitutional and procedural challenges to CCI investigations before various High Courts. Recently, he secured a stay on the CCI's investigation against sellers on a leading e-commerce platform from various High Courts.In merger control, he has secured approvals for complex transactions, including ONGC/ NTPC/ Ayana Renewable, Del Monte/ Agro Tech Foods, Coforge/Cigniti, BPEA EQT/Indira/ HDFC Credila, Temasek/Manipal Hospitals, KKR/Hero Future Energies, IBM/Kyndryl, TVS Group restructuring, Ford/Mahindra, Goldman Sachs/ReNew Power (SPAC), and Trafigura/Essar Oil.A prolific author and speaker, Vaibhav contributes to leading competition law journals and newspapers and frequently speaks at industry forums. He is recognized among India's top competition lawyers by Chambers & Partners, Who's Who Legal, Legal500, Forbes Powelist, AsiaLaw, and Global Competition Review.  Vaibhav was recently recognized in Asian Legal Business (ALB) Asia 40 Under 40, 2024 as one of Asia's top 40 legal talents under 40, distinguished as the only competition lawyer on the list.He holds a master's degree in Competition Law from King's College London, where he had the privilege of studying under Prof. Richard Whish KC (Hon) in EU Competition Law. Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

In this episode, we'll explore the transformation of finance in one of the world's most dynamic regions. From cutting-edge fintech innovations to the shifting role of traditional banking systems, we'll uncover how digital finance is reshaping economies across Asia-Pacific. We'll also spotlight Hong Kong—a global financial hub and a driving force behind this revolution—as it positions itself at the forefront of digital finance. Our GuestBen HammondBen is the managing partner of Ashurst's Hong Kong office and a partner in the firm's financial services regulatory group. He leads its non-contentious regulatory practice in the territory, where he is currently based, and advises clients in a broad range of transactional and non-transactional regulatory areas.With his extensive expertise in digital economy matters, Ben has advised clients across a broad range of regulatory areas. Most notably, in February 2023, he advised Goldman Sachs on the use of its tokenisation platform, GS DAPTM, for the issuance of an HK$800 million tokenised green bond for the Hong Kong government – it was the first tokenised green bond issued by a government globally.A year later, this past February, Ben led a team supporting HSBC as the platform provider to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority – the city's banking regulator and de facto central bank – on the world's first multi-currency “digitally native” bond offering.Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

In this episode, we delve into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in the legal field. As AI tools become increasingly integrated into legal practices, they bring both groundbreaking efficiencies and unexpected hurdles. Join us as we explore the dual-edged nature of AI: its potential to revolutionize legal tasks and the pitfalls that could lead to costly mistakes. Discover how legal professionals can adeptly navigate this new landscape, leveraging AI's strengths while safeguarding against its shortcomings. Tune in to understand the implications of AI's rise and how to stay ahead in this transformative era.Our GuestsDr. Douglas ArnerDr Arner is Hong Kong's most influential professor of financial law and regulation – to say nothing of his renown and esteem in this region and globally. He is also one of the most cited people in academia.Beyond that, he is the Kerry Holdings Professor of Law at the University of Hong Kong, where he also serves as the Faculty of Law's associate dean for taught postgraduate programs. Additionally, Prof. Arner is the associate director of the HKU-Standard Chartered FinTech Academy, which is based on the University's main campus in Pokfulam.Dr. Arner's latest book, which he co-authored with Prof. Ross P. Buckley of the University of New South Wales and Prof. Dirk Zetzsche of the University of Luxembourg, was officially released in late-November. The title is FinTech: Finance Technology and Regulation. It was published by Cambridge University Press.Michael BorelliLondon-based Michael Borrelli is director at AI & Partners, Europe's leading professional services firm for firms subject to the EU AI Act. Leveraging his 10+ years of experience in financial services, compliance, and technology, he helps clients navigate the complex and evolving regulatory landscape of AI. This includes a strong passion for responsible AI and its potential to create positive social impact, while minimizing its risks and challenges.In addition to this role at AI & Partners, responsibilities include serving as a FinTech Ambassador and an AI 2030 Chapter Advisor, where he has made contributions to the development and dissemination of knowledge, best practices, and policy recommendations on AI and FinTech.He is also a prolific writer and speaker on topics related to AI, FinTech, and compliance, having published multiple articles and delivered several presentations at various events and platforms.Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

Little KEMPies, an initiative by HK-based law firm M.B. KEMP LLP, offers courses for kids interested in law careers. Currently, they run a Mini Law Degree programme for bright minds aged 12-15. Led by experienced M.B. Kemp LLP lead partner Yeelign Wan, the 9-week course covers key subjects like contract law, tort law, and criminal law, along with soft skills like critical thinking and public speaking.In this episode, we spoke with Yeeling to find out more this course.Our GuestYeeling WanA twenty-year veteran commercial litigator, Yeeling is KEMP's pragmatist-in-chief. She approaches each case with her focus squarely on her clients' business objectives and the real value her expertise can add. Clients value her straight-shooting guidance and trust her to fight determinedly for the right resolution. Commercial litigation chose Yeeling, rather than the other way around: it was a fit for her assertive, tenacious style, and propelled her to partnership in a Big Law environment at a young age. That fast-track success gave her a thorough technical grounding – and also a desire to practise in the setting most conducive to doing her best work. Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay Shamdasani is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

In this episode, we shed light on the pivotal Department Order No. 238-23, a comprehensive directive detailing regulations for enforcing labor standards as outlined in Article 128 of the Labour Code of the Philippines and enhanced by the provisions of Republic Act No. 11058. This order represents a significant step forward in fortifying labor rights and ensuring workplace safety and health standards across the nation. Understanding its nuances is crucial for both employers and employees, as it not only underscores the government's commitment to labor rights but also sets a new benchmark for compliance and protection in the workplace. Join us as we explore the importance of this order and what it means for the future of labor standards in the Philippines.Our GuestNeptali B. SalvaneraMr. Salvanera specializes in labor law litigation, illegal dismissal, unfair labor practice, labor audits, strikes, union organization and representation issues, the labor aspect of mergers and acquisitions, and the planning and implementation of manpower reduction programs. He has also handled cases involving data privacy and data protection in the workplace and has rendered opinions on the matter for several clients. He has argued before the labor courts and all appellate courts including the Court of Appeals. He is extensively involved in the conduct of legal audit on the practices and contracting arrangements of companies. He is a part of a team in the firm that institutionalized the conduct of legal audit.Among his significant cases/projects are:the merger of two pharmaceutical companies and the consolidation of their operations and employees; andthe implementation of manpower reduction programs in several multinational and local companies.Mr. Salvanera has co-authored several articles on labor, including the Philippine chapters of:“International Guide on Labor and Employment” (2010), published by Littler Mendelson, LLP;“International Law Guide on Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets in Employment” (2010), published by the American Bar Association; and,“Doing Business” (various years), published by the World Bank.He is also a contributor to the Asian Mena Magazine, Business World, and Asia Business Law Journal.He speaks on a variety of topics from data privacy, employee discipline, labor relations, and outsourcing. Among her significant speaking engagements are:Contractualization: Concept and Updates, National HR Summit, 24 April 2018, SMX Convention Centre Manila;Labor-Related Issues When Investing in the Philippines, 2018 In-House Congress, 19 September 2018, Marina Mandarin, Singapore;Data Privacy: What Employers Should Know, ALB Summit, April 2017, Marina Mandarin SingaporeEnding the Endo, 13th Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE), 15 June 2016, SMX Convention Centre ManilaIn 2010, Mr. Salvanera was recognized by Key Media as one of the experts in the field of labor and employment in the region.Mr. Salvanera was identified in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 Editorial as a recommended lawyer in the practice area of Labor and Employment.Mr. Salvanera is a professional lecturer at the De La Salle University, where he teaches courses in Labor Standards, Labor Relations, International Labor Law, and Sales, Agency & Bailments.Mr. Salvanera ranked third among the students of his graduating law class and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in May 1999. He is a member of the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society and the Cagayan Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.Please visit www.accralaw.com for more information.

In the battle against climate change, litigation has emerged as a potent tool, compelling governments and corporations to confront their environmental responsibilities head-on. "Why Climate Change Litigation Matters?" explores the rising trend of legal actions being taken to address the urgent crisis of our warming planet. Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.Our GuestJohn B. QuinnJohn B. Quinn has been named by Bloomberg the “most famous practicing lawyer in the world” at large law firms and described by American Lawyer as a “master strategist.” He was identified as a “Legal Legend” in the 10th Anniversary edition of the Lawdragon: The 500 Leading Lawyers in America.  Some of the victories in Mr. Quinn's storied career include: winning $176 million as lead trial counsel for Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and his companies in an arbitration against Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. and its CEO Dr. Henry Ji; obtaining a $295 million jury verdict for two former Bertelsmann AG executives against Bertelsmann AG; defending Samsung Electronics Company in Apple Inc.'s “holy war” against the Android smartphone operating system where, after a trial held in Apple's backyard, the jury awarded less than 5.5% of the amount Apple sought and decided that Apple itself infringed one of Samsung's counterclaim patents; and obtaining a $2.1 billion settlement for two dozen hedge fund plaintiffs—including Elliott, Davidson-Kempner, Appalloosa, and Angelo Gordon—as holders of Yosemite and Enron Credit-Linked (ECLN) Notes in the Yosemite v. Citibank action in the Enron MDL.

Renewable energy is reshaping the global energy landscape, and Vietnam is no exception. With its significant strides in wind and solar power investment, Vietnam is emerging as a compelling case study in the shift towards sustainable energy production. Stakeholders in international energy markets, project financing, or environmental legislation will find the burgeoning Vietnamese renewable energy sector both intriguing and rich with opportunity. This episode looks at the complexities and legal intricacies as Vietnam embraces the winds of change and the sun's bountiful rays. Our GuestsSesto VecchiSesto has over 35 years of experience practicing law in Vietnam. His expertise includes corporate and commercial law with particular emphasis on foreign investment.He acts for numerous multinational and mid-size investors, both foreign and Vietnamese. He has written and spoken extensively on Vietnamese legal issues.He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was an arbitrator for the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and a former active duty lieutenant in the US Navy.Lâm Nguyễn Hoàng ThảoPrior to pursuing a law degree, and for nearly 12 years, Thao worked in the Energy Sector with SCHLUMBERGER, one of the world's largest upstream oil and gas service companies.Thao completed her Bachelor's Degree in Law and Practical Legal Training in Australia.Thao has both Vietnamese and Australian citizenship. Thao returned to Vietnam in 2022 and started engaging in the Vietnamese legal market. Thao joined RUSSIN & VECCHI in 2023 and specializes in Energy Matters.

In this episode, we explore how law firms can benefit significantly from integrating fixed-fee arrangements into their practice. Whether you're an independent attorney or part of a larger firm, this model promises transparency, predictability, and a renewed focus on efficiency—not to mention the strategic leverage it provides in a competitive market.Our HostAjay ShamdasaniAjay is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters' subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.Our GuestKevin BowersKevin is a dual-qualified lawyer in England + Wales and Hong Kong and has practiced as a commercial disputes lawyer and partner with three leading independent Hong Kong law firms over the last twenty years.Kevin specialises in commercial, insurance and employment litigation and dispute resolution both in Hong Kong and internationally. He handles complex multi-jurisdictional commercial cases involving debt recovery, sale of goods, trade finance, media law, fraud, shareholder, joint venture, employment, property (including land rights disputes and building management / tenancy issues) and franchise disputes, contentious family/probate/trusts, asset tracing, injunction proceedings, jurisdictional challenges, public inquiries and judicial reviews.Kevin is a Solicitor Advocate in Hong Kong, and an Accredited Mediator with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and The Law Society of Hong Kong. He has appeared as an expert witness (on Hong Kong corporate law) in the BVI High Court.

In this episode, we delve into the crucial information about obtaining the Long-Term Resident Visa in Thailand. From understanding the eligibility criteria to navigating the application process, we aim to equip you with the essential knowledge to turn your plans with Thailand into a reality. Whether you are a retiree seeking tranquility amidst breathtaking landscapes, a digital nomad in pursuit of high-speed internet on stunning shores, or an investor exploring a world of vibrant opportunities, we hope will be able to help you with your research.Our guest.Dhinapa Apaivongse - Senior Investment Promotion Officer - Thailand Board of InvestmentFor more information, please visit https://www.ilct.co.th/

It is essential to foster positive relationships with your local workforce and stay compliant with state regulations. One way to do both is through employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) – an incentive that can potentially have tremendous benefits for corporations operating within Vietnam. In this episode, we explore ESOPs specifically in the context of Vietnam and explain their advantages in maintaining strong corporate relations while carving out financial gains.Our GuestsSesto VecchiSesto has over 35 years of experience practicing law in Vietnam. His expertise includes corporate and commercial law with particular emphasis on foreign investment.He acts for numerous multinational and mid-size investors, both foreign and Vietnamese. He has written and spoken extensively on Vietnamese legal issues.He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was an arbitrator for the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and a former active duty lieutenant in the US Navy.Dao Hong DiuDiu joined Russin & Vecchi in 2008 upon graduation from law school.Her core areas of practice are corporate and foreign investment.She specializes in foreign based, long-term employee incentive plans sometimes called employee stock option plans ("ESOPs"), offered to employees in Vietnam.She has an interest in the regulation of anti-money laundering as it impacts corporate compliance responsibility in both the financial and non-financial sectors.For more information about labour laws in Vietnam, please visit https://www.russinvecchi.com.vn/

Vietnam is becoming an increasingly attractive proposition for doing business. Not only is it a flourishing and vibrant economy, but the labour force also offers some unique advantages for those wishing to invest in Vietnam's future. For businesses interested in keeping abreast of the latest developments in this dynamic labour and employment landscape, it pays to stay informed as laws and guidelines are ever-evolving in this country. In this podcast, we explore how businesses can navigate through Vietnam's legal landscape while staying compliant with current regulations.Our GuestsSesto VecchiSesto has over 35 years of experience practicing law in Vietnam. His expertise includes corporate and commercial law with particular emphasis on foreign investment.He acts for numerous multinational and mid-size investors, both foreign and Vietnamese. He has written and spoken extensively on Vietnamese legal issues.He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was an arbitrator for the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and a former active duty lieutenant in the US Navy.Dao Thi AiAi's practice focuses almost entirely on employment issues. This includes compensation and benefits, transfer of employment, foreign employees, labor discipline, termination, restructuring and more.The task is always to combine legal knowledge with a commercial awareness to help the client achieve the best outcome.For more information about labour laws in Vietnam, please visit https://www.russinvecchi.com.vn/

Data protection is a hot topic in many countries, and it's especially important for businesses to be aware of current laws when it comes to protecting their customers' information. Nowhere is this truer than in Vietnam, where the recent implementation of Decree 13 has spurred an unprecedented level of regulation related to data collection and storage. This new law intends to protect user privacy while providing guidance on how companies should safely manage data. This episode will provide an overview of the requirements outlined in Decree 13 so that organizations can make educated decisions about what measures they need to take in order to comply with all applicable regulations.Please visit Russin & Vecchi for more informationOur GuestsLe Ton VietViet is a member of the Asia Data Protection & Security Practice Group of Meritas.He has a particular focus on data security, marketing and advertising practices, international data transfer and other privacy and cybersecurity matters.He counsels a broad range of clients on data privacy regulation and breach response.Additionally, he represents clients in various transactions in the field of hotel management, real estate and insurance.Philip ZiterPrior to joining Russin & Vecchi, Philip worked in Vietnam as an attorney at a top tier regional law firm and later with a commercial firm involved in blockchain.Philip advises on corporate and transactional matters, and on financing arrangements.Philip has been legal advisor to a handful of startup companies. He is knowledgeable in the fintech, blockchain, and e-commerce industries in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US.Philip has also worked with manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and many entities in cross-border transactions.He advises on inbound investments involving corporate finance, manufacturing, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions.

As the legal industry in Asia explodes with commercial growth opportunities, so too does the demand for innovative financing solutions to help lawyers and their clients better manage litigation risk. In particular, one increasingly popular form of alternative finance – litigation funding – has been gaining traction in numerous countries across the continent, as savvy legal professionals are turning to this novel approach to improve their competitive edge. By providing access to capital without adversely affecting a firm's borrowing capacity or requiring high-interest rates for repayment, this emerging financing trend is allowing lawyers and firms throughout Asia to get involved with more complex cases than ever before. In this blog post we'll explore how litigations funding can be used in Asia and its implications for both law firms and individual practitioners alike.Our GuestEmily Tillett - Vice President - BurfordEmily is responsible for leading its investment activity and operations in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong, Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyer, Ms. Tillett has multijurisdictional expertise in complex commercial disputes. Prior to joining Burford, Ms. Tillett was Of Counsel at Allen & Overy in Hong Kong, where she focused on representing clients in litigation, regulatory investigations and arbitration, including contentious insolvency and fraud matters. She began her career with Minter Ellison lawyers and has since advised and acted for corporate and individual clients, including corporations, investment banks, financial services and brokerage firms and professional service providers, on high value, complex disputes in a variety of sectors. Ms. Tillett earned her law degree with first class honours together with her degree in Arts (Psychology) from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

The world of third-party funding is growing in Asia, and it could have a profound effect on the legal marketplace. Historically undervalued and overlooked, this type of funding can be used to provide lawyers with access to resources that might otherwise be out of reach. With the right approach, funding may be available for matters ranging from small individual disputes to large-scale corporate actions. This episode will explore the ins-and-outs and opportunities presented by Third Party Funding in Asia.Our GuestEmily Tillett - Vice President - BurfordEmily is responsible for leading its investment activity and operations in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong, Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyer, Ms. Tillett has multijurisdictional expertise in complex commercial disputes. Prior to joining Burford, Ms. Tillett was Of Counsel at Allen & Overy in Hong Kong, where she focused on representing clients in litigation, regulatory investigations and arbitration, including contentious insolvency and fraud matters. She began her career with Minter Ellison lawyers and has since advised and acted for corporate and individual clients, including corporations, investment banks, financial services and brokerage firms and professional service providers, on high value, complex disputes in a variety of sectors. Ms. Tillett earned her law degree with first class honours together with her degree in Arts (Psychology) from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

The renewable energy market in the Philippines is a rapidly growing sector, with tremendous potential for growth and development. As part of this expansion, it is essential to stay informed on the legal and regulatory dynamics that come along with investing in renewables. From new standards coming into effect to policy updates from national authorities, understanding these key aspects of working in the Filipino renewable industry can open up doors for success across sectors. In this episode, we'll be exploring some recent developments around legal and regulatory changes occurring within the Philippine renewable energy market. We'll look at incentives and key points of consideration when entering into partnerships or conducting investments related to sustainable sources of electricity generation here in The Philippines.For more information, please visit www.divinalaw.comOur GuestJose M. Layug, Jr., Senior Partner - DivinaLaw

Investing in sustainable energy sources is becoming increasingly popular all around the world as businesses and individuals alike begin to recognize the importance of reducing their carbon footprints. The renewable energy market has also been booming in some countries, including the Philippines. Foreign investors have recently begun to take advantage of this investment opportunity; however, it pays for potential investors to be well-informed before taking that plunge into a new industry. This episode will provide an overview of what international buyers should know about investing in renewable energy projects located within the Philippine's borders – from recent developments in sustainability legislation, to key opportunities involving wind, solar and other renewables.For more information, please visit www.divinalaw.comOur GuestJose M. Layug, Jr., Senior Partner - DivinaLaw

As more countries in the world turn towards renewable energy sources to reduce their dependency on traditional, non-renewable resources, the Philippines' focus on investing in renewables has become increasingly prominent. Despite permitting challenges and an expensive up-front cost for developers, the renewable energy market in the Philippines is diversifying rapidly as more projects come online across different regions of the country. In this episode, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of how the Philippine renewable energy sector is developing and evaluate its long-term potential from both economic and environmental perspectives.For more information, please visit www.divinalaw.comOur GuestJose M. Layug, Jr., Senior Partner - DivinaLaw

For entrepreneurs and investors looking for a place to establish their businesses, Indonesia offers an intriguing range of incentives. From infrastructure projects that can help create a dynamic local workforce to financial advantages that boost profit margins, this Southeast Asian nation is a prime spot for investment opportunities. In this episode, we take a closer look at the many benefits of investing in Indonesia - from the types of investments needed and what they can bring you to tax considerations and more. For more information, please visit www.ssek.comOur GuestNico Angelo Putra Mooduto, Partner SSEK Nico Angelo Putra Mooduto joined SSEK in 2011 and his practice covers a wide array of commercial legal matters and both inbound and outbound work.Nico has advised and represented multinational corporations, including Microsoft, PepsiCo, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, General Motors, Nissan, Boeing and FedEx. Nico also has assisted various funds in greenfield and brownfield investments in Indonesia.He is named by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer in Indonesia for real estate. Nico graduated from the University of Indonesia Faculty of Law in 2012.

Indonesia is a country filled with potential, and its commercial real estate market is no exception. With strong economic growth and an increasing number of international investors entering the market, opportunities abound for those looking to capitalize on the booming demand for quality office spaces in some of Indonesia's largest urban centers. In this blog post, we will explore how these changes have impacted the Indonesian real estate industry and provide an overview of some of the key trends that should be noted when investing in commercial property within Indonesia. Listen to this episode on to learn more about one of Asia's most attractive investment markets!For more information, please visit www.ssek.comOur GuestNico Angelo Putra Mooduto, Partner SSEK Nico Angelo Putra Mooduto joined SSEK in 2011 and his practice covers a wide array of commercial legal matters and both inbound and outbound work.Nico has advised and represented multinational corporations, including Microsoft, PepsiCo, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, General Motors, Nissan, Boeing and FedEx. Nico also has assisted various funds in greenfield and brownfield investments in Indonesia.He is named by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer in Indonesia for real estate. Nico graduated from the University of Indonesia Faculty of Law in 2012.

Are you a foreign investor looking to make an impact in Indonesia? Investing international capital in the country can be extremely rewarding, but understanding its rules and requiring restrictions is essential. This episode will provide an overview of the regulations facing foreign investment in Indonesia, so that investors can ensure their operations are compliant with local laws. Whether you're interested in establishing a new business or branching out into existing sectors, this post has everything foreigners need to know about investing in Indonesia. For more information, please visit www.ssek.comOur GuestNico Angelo Putra Mooduto, Partner SSEK Nico Angelo Putra Mooduto joined SSEK in 2011 and his practice covers a wide array of commercial legal matters and both inbound and outbound work.Nico has advised and represented multinational corporations, including Microsoft, PepsiCo, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, General Motors, Nissan, Boeing and FedEx. Nico also has assisted various funds in greenfield and brownfield investments in Indonesia.He is named by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer in Indonesia for real estate. Nico graduated from the University of Indonesia Faculty of Law in 2012.

Indonesia has seen impressive growth in its economy over the last decade, driven mainly by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). FDI plays a significant role in opening up markets and providing needed capital for Indonesian businesses. For companies looking to invest in Indonesia, understanding the current landscape is essential for success. In this episode post, we will explore the key drivers of FDI activity in Indonesia and how investors can capitalize on these trends to maximize their investment opportunities.For more information, please visit www.ssek.comOur GuestNico Angelo Putra Mooduto, Partner SSEK Nico Angelo Putra Mooduto joined SSEK in 2011 and his practice covers a wide array of commercial legal matters and both inbound and outbound work.Nico has advised and represented multinational corporations, including Microsoft, PepsiCo, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, General Motors, Nissan, Boeing and FedEx. Nico also has assisted various funds in greenfield and brownfield investments in Indonesia.He is named by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer in Indonesia for real estate. Nico graduated from the University of Indonesia Faculty of Law in 2012.

Understanding the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution is key to success when investing in international markets. ADR helps investors maintain their competitive edge while mitigating risk through effective dispute resolution between foreign companies and local partners or government officials then providing an out-of-court remedy for disputes beyond arbitration or litigation. In this espisode, we will discuss how ADR plays an important role in ensuring successful investments with Philippine FDI projects.For more information please www.divinalaw.com

Today, arbitration has become a prominent form of alternative dispute resolution worldwide due to the increased prevalence and accessibility of digital tools that make it easier than ever before for parties to resolve disputes out-of-court through a reliable, cost-efficient process. This episode will explore how technology is revolutionising arbitration in the Philippines – from virtual meetings to online filing systems – as well as discuss how these changes are impacting businesses and consumers who are taking advantage of them.For more information please www.divinalaw.com

As businesses become more geographically dispersed, international arbitration has become an economically viable alternative to resolving cross-border disputes. International arbitration awards are legally binding and enforceable in other jurisdictions as prescribed by international conventions and Philippine law. With this recognition of the efficacy of international arbitration, parties involved in disputes must ensure that their award is properly enforced within the territorial limits of the Philippines so as to enjoy its full legal benefit therein. This episode aims to provide a comprehensive overview into the enforcement process for such awards in the country, delving into the governing laws and identifying any potential pitfalls worth avoiding.For more information, please visit https://www.divinalaw.com/

Arbitration is a popular alternative to litigation in the Philippines. The Republic of the Philippines has a strong and categorical government policy of promoting alternative modes of dispute resolution, including arbitration. There is as yet no specialist arbitration court in the Philippines; however, arbitration-related proceedings are ordinarily assigned to trial courts. International and domestic commercial arbitrations in the Philippines are primarily governed by Republic Act (RA) No. 9285 or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004. This act solidifies arbitration as a viable substitute in resolving commercial disputes and provides for the appointment of arbitrators and procedure for their conduct.For more information, please visit DivinaLaw

As M&A activity continues to surge across many sectors, so too have the disputes resulting from post-transaction troubles. These issues often arise when an acquirer and target negotiate earnout clauses as a contingent payment in order to bridge any gaps between the value they each ascribe to the deal's enterprise value. Although these terms are negotiated prior to transaction closure, problems can still occur following completion that negatively affect the financial performance of both parties involved — ultimately leading them down a path of costly and time consuming legal proceedings. To provide much needed insight into this complex area of law, in this episode, we explore how earnout agreements can lead to M&A disputes and some strategies for preventing such differences from forming in the first place.To find out more, visit MDDOur GuestsEddy LeeEddy is a Regional Managing Director and Head of Disputes and Litigation Asia.He specialises in the areas of business valuation, economic loss quantification, cost verification, minority shareholder disputes and solving complex accounting issues.Eddy provides expert financial advice in cases of litigation and international arbitration. He has been appointed both as a valuation and an accounting expert on numerous occasions and has given oral testimony.Eddy is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales who, during his 17‑year career, has led, managed or consulted on a diverse array of issues including identification and quantification of lost profits, the valuation of businesses and financial assets including shareholdings, intellectual property, and of wasted costs.Eddy has also advised clients on regulatory matters, market assessments, and brand valuations and is regularly invited to speak at conferences and deliver training on a variety of economic damage quantification and other financial topics around the region.Jerome has over 10 years of experience in Forensic Accounting. He joined MDD in 2015 and is Director of their Litigation Support Services in Hong Kong.He focuses on matters related to business valuation, business disputes, loss of profits and fraud & investigations. He has extensive experience in litigation support and has acted as an expert witness in Hong Kong and UK court proceedings.In business valuations, Jerome has advised clients and acted as an expert witness in a variety of assignments including shareholder disputes, divorce proceedings, and valuations of start-ups and mature businesses. The assignments relate to parties from various jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Singapore, PRC, Korea, Cayman Islands and United Kingdom.Jerome McDonaghJerome has been involved in numerous damage quantification matters including loss of profits, post-M&A breaches of warranties and aborted contract claims.Jerome's loss of profit experience extends to catastrophe services experience from his involvement in assignments related to the Tianjin explosions in 2015 and Typhoon Hato in 2017.His expertise spans a wide range of industries including financial services, manufacturing, textiles & apparel, IT, property, shipping & freight, telecommunications, casino and gaming.Jerome is the creator of the MDD Duxbury Calculator, an online, subscription-based calculator designed to enable Duxbury calculations to be completed quickly and cost-effectively. He has presented various seminars and workshops on business valuation, financial statement fraud, losses from aborted contracts and Duxbury calculations.Fluent in Cantonese and conversant in Mandarin, Jerome graduated from Manchester University (UK) with a Bachelor of Economic Science degree and the University of London (UK) with a Master of Science degree in Professional Accountancy. He holds various professional qualifications and affiliations

In today's increasingly complex corporate world, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is rising. But with the heightened levels of M&A also comes a rise in fraud risk. In fact, fraud related to mergers and acquisitions has become one of the most significant threats facing companies now– a grave concern that must be addressed effectively in order to protect both the acquiring and target entities. That is why it's essential for all parties involved in an M&A transaction to understand post-acquisition fraud risk—and how best to mitigate this risk where possible—before signing on the dotted line.

When it comes to disputes involving contracts, two aspects come into play - representation and warranties. Representation and warranty clauses are widely used in commercial agreements, as they help protect a contracting party's interests by setting out specific promises made by one party to the other. Through these assurances, parties can be assured that what is being agreed upon will be delivered faithfully or risk repercussions if not fulfilled. In this episode, we'll discuss how representation and warranty clauses work when dealing with contract-related disputes and why they are necessary for successful business transactions.To find out more, visit MDDOur GuestsEddy LeeEddy is a Regional Managing Director and Head of Disputes and Litigation Asia.He specialises in the areas of business valuation, economic loss quantification, cost verification, minority shareholder disputes and solving complex accounting issues.Eddy provides expert financial advice in cases of litigation and international arbitration. He has been appointed both as a valuation and an accounting expert on numerous occasions and has given oral testimony.Eddy is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales who, during his 17‑year career, has led, managed or consulted on a diverse array of issues including identification and quantification of lost profits, the valuation of businesses and financial assets including shareholdings, intellectual property, and of wasted costs.Eddy has also advised clients on regulatory matters, market assessments, and brand valuations and is regularly invited to speak at conferences and deliver training on a variety of economic damage quantification and other financial topics around the region.Jerome has over 10 years of experience in Forensic Accounting. He joined MDD in 2015 and is Director of their Litigation Support Services in Hong Kong.He focuses on matters related to business valuation, business disputes, loss of profits and fraud & investigations. He has extensive experience in litigation support and has acted as an expert witness in Hong Kong and UK court proceedings.In business valuations, Jerome has advised clients and acted as an expert witness in a variety of assignments including shareholder disputes, divorce proceedings, and valuations of start-ups and mature businesses. The assignments relate to parties from various jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Singapore, PRC, Korea, Cayman Islands and United Kingdom.Jerome McDonaghJerome has been involved in numerous damage quantification matters including loss of profits, post-M&A breaches of warranties and aborted contract claims.Jerome's loss of profit experience extends to catastrophe services experience from his involvement in assignments related to the Tianjin explosions in 2015 and Typhoon Hato in 2017.His expertise spans a wide range of industries including financial services, manufacturing, textiles & apparel, IT, property, shipping & freight, telecommunications, casino and gaming.Jerome is the creator of the MDD Duxbury Calculator, an online, subscription-based calculator designed to enable Duxbury calculations to be completed quickly and cost-effectively. He has presented various seminars and workshops on business valuation, financial statement fraud, losses from aborted contracts and Duxbury calculations.Fluent in Cantonese and conversant in Mandarin, Jerome graduated from Manchester University (UK) with a Bachelor of Economic Science degree and the University of London (UK) with a Master of Science degree in Professional Accountancy. He holds various professional qualifications and affiliations

Mergers and acquisitions are a common occurrence in the business world. Although beneficial for many, there are often disputes between firms once an M&A event takes place. These post-M&A disputes can be particularly damaging if not addressed quickly and properly. In this episode, we'll take a closer look at the different kinds of post-M&A disputes that can arise, their causes, and how to resolve them effectively so you can avoid conflicts later on down the line.To find out more, visit MDDOur GuestsEddy LeeEddy is a Regional Managing Director and Head of Disputes and Litigation Asia.He specialises in the areas of business valuation, economic loss quantification, cost verification, minority shareholder disputes and solving complex accounting issues.Eddy provides expert financial advice in cases of litigation and international arbitration. He has been appointed both as a valuation and an accounting expert on numerous occasions and has given oral testimony.Eddy is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales who, during his 17‑year career, has led, managed or consulted on a diverse array of issues including identification and quantification of lost profits, the valuation of businesses and financial assets including shareholdings, intellectual property, and of wasted costs.Eddy has also advised clients on regulatory matters, market assessments, and brand valuations and is regularly invited to speak at conferences and deliver training on a variety of economic damage quantification and other financial topics around the region.Jerome has over 10 years of experience in Forensic Accounting. He joined MDD in 2015 and is Director of their Litigation Support Services in Hong Kong.He focuses on matters related to business valuation, business disputes, loss of profits and fraud & investigations. He has extensive experience in litigation support and has acted as an expert witness in Hong Kong and UK court proceedings.In business valuations, Jerome has advised clients and acted as an expert witness in a variety of assignments including shareholder disputes, divorce proceedings, and valuations of start-ups and mature businesses. The assignments relate to parties from various jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Singapore, PRC, Korea, Cayman Islands and United Kingdom.Jerome McDonaghJerome has been involved in numerous damage quantification matters including loss of profits, post-M&A breaches of warranties and aborted contract claims.Jerome's loss of profit experience extends to catastrophe services experience from his involvement in assignments related to the Tianjin explosions in 2015 and Typhoon Hato in 2017.His expertise spans a wide range of industries including financial services, manufacturing, textiles & apparel, IT, property, shipping & freight, telecommunications, casino and gaming.Jerome is the creator of the MDD Duxbury Calculator, an online, subscription-based calculator designed to enable Duxbury calculations to be completed quickly and cost-effectively. He has presented various seminars and workshops on business valuation, financial statement fraud, losses from aborted contracts and Duxbury calculations.Fluent in Cantonese and conversant in Mandarin, Jerome graduated from Manchester University (UK) with a Bachelor of Economic Science degree and the University of London (UK) with a Master of Science degree in Professional Accountancy. He holds various professional qualifications and affiliations

The recent amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by MEITY has been a topic of discussion among various stakeholders. The amendment aims to regulate online gaming intermediaries and requires them to observe due diligence while discharging their duties.The proposed amendments also include provisions for intermediaries to block access to social media posts and news articles deemed fake or misleading.In this episode, we look at how the rules will be implemented and what burdens do the digital intermediaries have as a result.To find out more about, visit https://www.cyrilshroff.com/ Our GuestArun S. PrabhuArun advises extensively on matters relating to complex intellectual property, telecom, e-commerce, data protection and privacy, including issues surrounding data collection, processing, protection and retention, in addition to the formulation of policies and best practices designed to mitigate the legal risks associated with handling of data. He specialises in offering sector specific, cutting edge advice in relation to technology to clients who are exposed to increased industry specific risks.He regularly advises on the intersection between business and emerging technologies. Arun advises both, international and domestic clients, on technology-related transactional and advisory matters across sectors ranging from banking, insurance, healthcare, internet and telecommunications to media and broadcasting. He regularly advices on large scale acquisitions of, or investments into, technology and data centric entities. Some of his key transactions in this regard include Equinix Acquisition of GPX's data center business in India, IronMountain's strategic investment into Web Werks India Private Limited and Adani's strategic relationship with Google.His transactional work involves enabling complex technology procurement and outsourcing contracts, and software development and licensing arrangements. Recent key transactions have involved assisting Equinix Inc., Adaniconnex Private Limited, Tata Digital Limited, Hinduja Global Solutions Limited, Sequoia Capital, Warburg Pincus, SBI General Insurance and several large banks and financial services institutions and private equity investors in India with key technology transactions.He writes, speaks, comments and consults extensively with industry associations, embassies, self-regulatory organizations and think tanks, including FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM on the emerging Indian legal regime surrounding data protection. He has been conducting training for his clients, basis the recently released drafts of the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022.

Data processing has become even more critical in recent years, especially for digital lending platforms that are now ubiquitous throughout India. The need to properly regulate data processing activities is more pertinent than ever before, as this will help protect consumer rights and privacy while creating a secure environment for all stakeholders involved. With the emergence of digital lending platforms in India, regulatory agencies have stepped up efforts to ensure that data collected through these services is processed responsibly and with the utmost integrity. This episode seeks to explore how government regulation can be effectively implemented to protect consumers from potential risks posed by data processing practices among digital lending platforms.To find out more about, visit https://www.cyrilshroff.com/ Our GuestArun S. PrabhuArun advises extensively on matters relating to complex intellectual property, telecom, e-commerce, data protection and privacy, including issues surrounding data collection, processing, protection and retention, in addition to the formulation of policies and best practices designed to mitigate the legal risks associated with handling of data. He specialises in offering sector specific, cutting edge advice in relation to technology to clients who are exposed to increased industry specific risks.He regularly advises on the intersection between business and emerging technologies. Arun advises both, international and domestic clients, on technology-related transactional and advisory matters across sectors ranging from banking, insurance, healthcare, internet and telecommunications to media and broadcasting. He regularly advices on large scale acquisitions of, or investments into, technology and data centric entities. Some of his key transactions in this regard include Equinix Acquisition of GPX's data center business in India, IronMountain's strategic investment into Web Werks India Private Limited and Adani's strategic relationship with Google.His transactional work involves enabling complex technology procurement and outsourcing contracts, and software development and licensing arrangements. Recent key transactions have involved assisting Equinix Inc., Adaniconnex Private Limited, Tata Digital Limited, Hinduja Global Solutions Limited, Sequoia Capital, Warburg Pincus, SBI General Insurance and several large banks and financial services institutions and private equity investors in India with key technology transactions.He writes, speaks, comments and consults extensively with industry associations, embassies, self-regulatory organizations and think tanks, including FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM on the emerging Indian legal regime surrounding data protection. He has been conducting training for his clients, basis the recently released drafts of the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022.

As the Indian government looks at introducing a data protection bill, industries are bracing themselves for yet another shift in their digital ecosystem. The draft bill titled ‘The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022' is groundbreaking with its approach to drafting regulations for holding and processing personal data of Indian citizens. Businesses will have to take drastic measures steps towards compliance or face penalties if they don't adhere to the guidelines set out in the proposed legislation. In this episode, we take a look at what this new piece of legislation could mean for businesses as well as examine some key points from the proposed bill. We'll also discuss how organizations can prepare themselves under topics like security compliance and data governance.To find out more about this bill visit https://www.cyrilshroff.com/ Our GuestArun S. PrabhuArun advises extensively on matters relating to complex intellectual property, telecom, e-commerce, data protection and privacy, including issues surrounding data collection, processing, protection and retention, in addition to the formulation of policies and best practices designed to mitigate the legal risks associated with handling of data. He specialises in offering sector specific, cutting edge advice in relation to technology to clients who are exposed to increased industry specific risks.He regularly advises on the intersection between business and emerging technologies. Arun advises both, international and domestic clients, on technology-related transactional and advisory matters across sectors ranging from banking, insurance, healthcare, internet and telecommunications to media and broadcasting. He regularly advices on large scale acquisitions of, or investments into, technology and data centric entities. Some of his key transactions in this regard include Equinix Acquisition of GPX's data center business in India, IronMountain's strategic investment into Web Werks India Private Limited and Adani's strategic relationship with Google.His transactional work involves enabling complex technology procurement and outsourcing contracts, and software development and licensing arrangements. Recent key transactions have involved assisting Equinix Inc., Adaniconnex Private Limited, Tata Digital Limited, Hinduja Global Solutions Limited, Sequoia Capital, Warburg Pincus, SBI General Insurance and several large banks and financial services institutions and private equity investors in India with key technology transactions.He writes, speaks, comments and consults extensively with industry associations, embassies, self-regulatory organizations and think tanks, including FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM on the emerging Indian legal regime surrounding data protection. He has been conducting training for his clients, basis the recently released drafts of the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022.

Data localization rules are becoming increasingly important in today's digital world. As countries become more aware of the value held within data, many have implemented laws that require businesses to store and process their data within the country's borders. In this episode, we will take a look at data localization rules in Vietnam and how they affect companies operating in the country.Please visit Russin & Vecchi for more informationOur GuestsNhut NugyenNhut has experience in international business and multi-jurisdictional transactions.His practice focuses principally on M&A, private equity, international finance, and inbound foreign investment in general.Nhut has been involved in a number of large transactions in which he has acted for multinational clients to provide solutions to structure and to implement the transaction.He has particular experience in structuring complex M&A deals that require creative structures of share acquisition in light of existing legal restrictions and ambiguities.He has led the Russin & Vecchi team in various large-scale transactions, including comprehensive, non-conventional due diligence investigations, deal structuring, transaction documentation, performance of conditions precedent and rectification of due diligence issues, funding structures and funding documentation, closing coordination, and post-acquisition integration. Nhut has practiced law in Vietnam for 20 years.Le Ton VietViet is a member of the Asia Data Protection & Security Practice Group of Meritas.He has a particular focus on data security, marketing and advertising practices, international data transfer and other privacy and cybersecurity matters.He counsels a broad range of clients on data privacy regulation and breach response.Additionally, he represents clients in various transactions in the field of hotel management, real estate and insurance.

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors of a company are becoming increasingly important to investors. Many companies are now touting their ESG credentials as a way to attract investment. However, some companies may be engaging in "greenwashing," falsely promoting their ESG practices. Investors need to be careful to differentiate between companies that are truly committed to sustainable practices and those that are only paying lip service to them. By doing their due diligence, investors can ensure that their money is going into businesses with a sustainable future.To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit https://www.esglegalhub.com/About Our GuestsPenelope ShenPenny is one of Hong Kong's leading funds lawyers who counts among her clients the region's top asset managers. She is consistently sought after for both direct expertise and keen market intelligence.Tze-wei Ng Tze-wei brings deep knowledge of charities and social innovation to her advice to philanthropic foundations and private clients. As part of the private wealth team she also has experience in trusts, wills, estate planning and administration. She is known for her understanding of the increased mixed use of non-profit and for-profit tools in creating impact, which allows her to provide tailored solutions to enable strategic philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

Is it worth investing in companies that have an ethical and sustainable focus? There is no simple answer, but a growing number of investors believe that ESG investment does make sense. Here we'll take a look at some of the factors to consider when making an ESG investment.To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit https://www.esglegalhub.com/About Our GuestsPenelope ShenPenny is one of Hong Kong's leading funds lawyers who counts among her clients the region's top asset managers. She is consistently sought after for both direct expertise and keen market intelligence.Tze-wei Ng Tze-wei brings deep knowledge of charities and social innovation to her advice to philanthropic foundations and private clients. As part of the private wealth team she also has experience in trusts, wills, estate planning and administration. She is known for her understanding of the increased mixed use of non-profit and for-profit tools in creating impact, which allows her to provide tailored solutions to enable strategic philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

Hong Kong is a hotbed for business, and the economy is booming. However, companies must be aware of how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors can affect their bottom line. This epsiode will explore how ESG affects businesses in Hong Kong and provide tips on how to integrate these considerations into your operations. Stay ahead of the curve and make sure you're doing everything possible to protect your company's interests! To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit https://www.esglegalhub.com/About Our GuestsPenelope ShenPenny is one of Hong Kong's leading funds lawyers who counts among her clients the region's top asset managers. She is consistently sought after for both direct expertise and keen market intelligence.Tze-wei Ng Tze-wei brings deep knowledge of charities and social innovation to her advice to philanthropic foundations and private clients. As part of the private wealth team she also has experience in trusts, wills, estate planning and administration. She is known for her understanding of the increased mixed use of non-profit and for-profit tools in creating impact, which allows her to provide tailored solutions to enable strategic philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

When it comes to sustainability, Hong Kong is often seen as a laggard. But a growing number of local companies and organisations are now starting to embrace environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. In this epsiode, Penelope Shen and Tze wei Ng of Stephenson Harwood in Hong Kong take a closer look at the ESG landscape in Hong Kong.To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit https://www.esglegalhub.com/About Our GuestsPenelope ShenPenny is one of Hong Kong's leading funds lawyers who counts among her clients the region's top asset managers. She is consistently sought after for both direct expertise and keen market intelligence.Tze-wei Ng Tze-wei brings deep knowledge of charities and social innovation to her advice to philanthropic foundations and private clients. As part of the private wealth team she also has experience in trusts, wills, estate planning and administration. She is known for her understanding of the increased mixed use of non-profit and for-profit tools in creating impact, which allows her to provide tailored solutions to enable strategic philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing fintech sectors in the world. Fintech is driving rapid innovation and growth in the Philippines and has fueled the country's ambitions in creating a digital economy. This podcast will explore the impact of fintech on the Philippine economy, highlighting the benefits it has brought to consumers and businesses alike. It will also discuss some of the challenges facing fintech in the Philippines, and consider how these might be overcome in order to ensure continued growth and innovation in this important sector.About our guestsJohn Paul V. De LeonJohn Paul V. De Leon is a partner of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw). Mr. de Leon is a member of the firm's Special Projects and Banking, Finance and Securities departments. He has a wide-ranging M&A and investments practice but specializes in real estate development and land, retail (including online retail), and media. In the banking and finance sector, Mr. de Leon regularly advises banks and financial institutions in connection with cross-border foreign currency loans, bonds and debt securities transactions. Mr. De Leon advised foreign investors in their acquisition of a significant stake in a Philippine rural bank. He was also part of the team that handled the sale of 100% of the equity in a Philippine commercial bank.Mr. de Leon is also one of the firm's lawyers in the forefront of its fintech practice. He has been part of M&A teams that have handled key transactions in this area including the investment of a significant PRC-based online/IT entity into the fintech companies of one of the Philippines' major telecommunications companies.  He regularly advises companies engaged in money remittance, payment services, and e-money issuances, on various issues including Central Bank regulation, credit information and AMLA laws.  He and the firm's fintech group also advise on blockchain technology-related services and cryptocurrency.Mr. de Leon is a “Next Generation Partner” for Real Estate and Construction in Legal 500's 2021 and 2022 rankings. Link to corporate profile: https://syciplaw.com/lawyers/partners/JPVDeLeonRose Marie M. King-Dominguez Rose Marie is a partner of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw). She is a TMT specialist and helps lead the firm's TMT group. She handles M&A, investments and regulatory work.She acted for Comcast in its recent acquisition of Masergy, as well as for NomuPay in the purchase of Wirecard's Philippine entity. In the 2022 auction of tower assets by the Philippines' leading telecommunications operator, she was part of a team advising one of the bidders. She also acted for an international e-commerce and service group in an acquisition project targeting a leading provider of telemedicine. In last year's offer by Globe Telecoms of an interest in its data center business, she assisted one of the bidders conducting due diligence and structuring review that required consultations with the telecoms regulator. She also assisted a data analytics and AI company in an acquisition of a Singapore-based e-commerce distribution business with a local presence. In 2020, she acted for a US-based private investment firm in its investment in a manufacturer of products for the electronic industry, with a branch in the Philippines. Her M&A experience covers a range of industries from fintech (e.g., the investment by Ant Financial in Globe Telecom's fintech business [GCash] and the investment by KKR and Tencent in PLDT/Smart's fintech enterprise [Paymaya] to tobacco [JTI's acquisition of Mighty] to healthcare [GIC's investment in the Metro Pacific hospital group] including telehealth and pharma, to cement [structuring work for Lafarge Holcim]).She advises some of the most prominent global entities in technology and media on various matters, including market entry and regulatory matters, and has helped some of them establish a local presence. Among these clients are a US technology conglomerate that operates a number of popular platforms, another US technology company that focuses on, among others, search engine technology and cloud solutions, an international e-commerce company well known for its retail platform, and a US multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate.  She is one of the principal data privacy experts of the firm and is a regular speaker and contributor on the topics of data privacy and cybersecurity (e.g., see article contributed to Data Protection Leader on “The challenges under the new data privacy regime”). She and her team run compliance seminars and training for data privacy for clients. Some of Ms. King-Dominguez' most recent awards and citations include:Band 2 in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2022Band 2 in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Asia Pacific 2022Spotlight ranking, TMT, Chambers Asia Pacific 2022Cited as one of the Leading Lawyers in the Philippines, Chambers Asia Pacific Leading Lawyers and Law Firms 2022Leading Individual in TMT, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2013 to 2022)Recommended Lawyer in Corporate and M&A, and TMT, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021-2022Highly-regarded Lawyer, IFLR1000 (2015 to 2021)Distinguished Practitioner in Technology and Telecommunications, asialaw Profiles 2021-2023One of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Philippines, Asia Business Law Journal 2021-2022Global Leader, Recommended Lawyer in Fintech, Who's Who Legal 2021-2022National Leader, Recommended Lawyer in Data, Southeast Asia, Who's Who Legal 2021-2022Link to corporate profile: https://syciplaw.com/lawyers/partners/RMMKingDominguez

Cryptocurrency is becoming more prevalent around the world. While this asset is still in its infancy, there are a number of countries that have already begun to implement regulations surrounding it. The Philippines is one such country, with a number of new rules and regulations for cryptocurrency exchanges. This podcast will explore the new regulations and how they may affect the cryptocurrency industry in the Philippines.GuestsJohn Paul V. De LeonJohn Paul V. De Leon is a partner of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw). Mr. de Leon is a member of the firm's Special Projects and Banking, Finance and Securities departments. He has a wide-ranging M&A and investments practice but specializes in real estate development and land, retail (including online retail), and media. In the banking and finance sector, Mr. de Leon regularly advises banks and financial institutions in connection with cross-border foreign currency loans, bonds and debt securities transactions. Mr. De Leon advised foreign investors in their acquisition of a significant stake in a Philippine rural bank. He was also part of the team that handled the sale of 100% of the equity in a Philippine commercial bank.Mr. de Leon is also one of the firm's lawyers in the forefront of its fintech practice. He has been part of M&A teams that have handled key transactions in this area including the investment of a significant PRC-based online/IT entity into the fintech companies of one of the Philippines' major telecommunications companies.  He regularly advises companies engaged in money remittance, payment services, and e-money issuances, on various issues including Central Bank regulation, credit information and AMLA laws.  He and the firm's fintech group also advise on blockchain technology-related services and cryptocurrency.Mr. de Leon is a “Next Generation Partner” for Real Estate and Construction in Legal 500's 2021 and 2022 rankings. Link to corporate profile: https://syciplaw.com/lawyers/partners/JPVDeLeonRose Marie M. King-Dominguez Rose Marie is a partner of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw). She is a TMT specialist and helps lead the firm's TMT group. She handles M&A, investments and regulatory work.She acted for Comcast in its recent acquisition of Masergy, as well as for NomuPay in the purchase of Wirecard's Philippine entity. In the 2022 auction of tower assets by the Philippines' leading telecommunications operator, she was part of a team advising one of the bidders. She also acted for an international e-commerce and service group in an acquisition project targeting a leading provider of telemedicine. In last year's offer by Globe Telecoms of an interest in its data center business, she assisted one of the bidders conducting due diligence and structuring review that required consultations with the telecoms regulator. She also assisted a data analytics and AI company in an acquisition of a Singapore-based e-commerce distribution business with a local presence. In 2020, she acted for a US-based private investment firm in its investment in a manufacturer of products for the electronic industry, with a branch in the Philippines. Her M&A experience covers a range of industries from fintech (e.g., the investment by Ant Financial in Globe Telecom's fintech business [GCash] and the investment by KKR and Tencent in PLDT/Smart's fintech enterprise [Paymaya] to tobacco [JTI's acquisition of Mighty] to healthcare [GIC's investment in the Metro Pacific hospital group] including telehealth and pharma, to cement [structuring work for Lafarge Holcim]).She advises some of the most prominent global entities in technology and media on various matters, including market entry and regulatory matters, and has helped some of them establish a local presence. Among these clients are a US technology conglomerate that operates a number of popular platforms, another US technology company that focuses on, among others, search engine technology and cloud solutions, an international e-commerce company well known for its retail platform, and a US multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate.  She is one of the principal data privacy experts of the firm and is a regular speaker and contributor on the topics of data privacy and cybersecurity (e.g., see article contributed to Data Protection Leader on “The challenges under the new data privacy regime”). She and her team run compliance seminars and training for data privacy for clients. Some of Ms. King-Dominguez' most recent awards and citations include:Band 2 in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2022Band 2 in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Asia Pacific 2022Spotlight ranking, TMT, Chambers Asia Pacific 2022Cited as one of the Leading Lawyers in the Philippines, Chambers Asia Pacific Leading Lawyers and Law Firms 2022Leading Individual in TMT, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2013 to 2022)Recommended Lawyer in Corporate and M&A, and TMT, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021-2022Highly-regarded Lawyer, IFLR1000 (2015 to 2021)Distinguished Practitioner in Technology and Telecommunications, asialaw Profiles 2021-2023One of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Philippines, Asia Business Law Journal 2021-2022Global Leader, Recommended Lawyer in Fintech, Who's Who Legal 2021-2022National Leader, Recommended Lawyer in Data, Southeast Asia, Who's Who Legal 2021-2022Link to corporate profile: https://syciplaw.com/lawyers/partners/RMMKingDominguez

Singapore offers foreign investors competitive access to the Asian market due to its favorable taxation policies and strategic location within Southeast Asia. Several free trade agreements with neighboring Asian nations are available to Singaporean businesses, in addition to over 80 double taxation avoidance agreements.Besides being a stable political and economic hub, Singapore is also an important financial center in ASEAN. International business and trade standards are mirrored by Singapore, such as those offered by the World Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Although COVID-19-related risks continue to affect Singapore, it has emerged resilient as a direct gateway to the global market. The manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors are still strong, while the information and communications and finance industries are also healthy, driven by the increasing demand for digital solutions and payment processing services.Business opportunities, government incentives, and trade relations benefits make Singapore an excellent choice for companies looking to establish a holding company, branch office, or regional headquarters.We spoke with Eugene Lim, Co-Founder, Principal of WTS Taxise, and took a deeper look at the advantages and challenges of doing business in Singapore.To find out more about WTS Taxise, please visit https://taxiseasia.com/

Many people think that when two or more people start a business together, they will automatically get along and have a perfect working relationship. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Co-founder conflicts can arise for a number of reasons, and if they are not managed correctly, can lead to the downfall of the company. In this episode, I am joined by Jerome McDonagh and Eddy Lee of MDD to discuss how to prevent co-founder conflicts, and how to manage them if they do occur. For more information about MDD, please visit www.mdd.com

Start-ups and tech companies are often lauded for their innovation, but this can make them difficult to value. Traditional valuation methods are based on financial metrics such as earnings and revenue, but these may not be relevant for early-stage businesses. Instead, investors must focus on other indicators such as the team's experience, the market opportunity, and the strength of the product. By taking a closer look at these factors, it is possible to get a more accurate picture of a start-up's potential.I am joined by Jerome McDonagh and Eddy Lee of MDD to take a look at the challenges of valuing startups and tech companies.For more information about MDD, please visit www.mdd.com

Ben Cooper joins us in this Q2 review show of the Hong Kong legal market. For more information about the Hong Kong legal market, please visit https://ashford-benjamin.com/

There's been a lot of discussion lately about the role of legal ops within companies. Some people argue that legal ops should be an extension of the legal team, while others maintain that it should be independent. So which is the right approach? To help unpack this, we spoke with Nicolas Leroux, founder and managing partner of Kalexius, and Eric O'Donnell, head of legal operations at Total Energies. Nicolas Leroux is the Founder and Managing Director of Kalexius. He leads operations across all practice areas and is responsible for strategic orientations and business development. Prior to founding Kalexius in 2011, Nicolas was in private practice, working on public international law and arbitration.Nicolas is a member of the Geneva and Paris bars and holds a PhD in international law from Université Panthéon Assas Paris IIEric O'Donnell qualified as a solicitor in Ireland in 1995 and began his in-house career soon afterwards in France with Eurosport, a pan-European sports broadcaster. There, he was responsible for operational aspects of the business and was involved in the launch of several language versions and the first “window” in the UK. In 2001, Eric changed sectors and moved to Chanel, the luxury company and in 2003 started in the Refining & Marketing branch of Total (now TotalEnergies). Over the next 10 years, Eric worked on several landmark files including the Black Empowerment project for Total South Africa, development projects in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Egypt & Ghana), Asia (Pakistan), and Europe (UK), and a refining joint venture with Saudi Aramco in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Eric took up the position of Head of Legal Marketing & Services for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, covering the legal management of over 50 affiliates as well as development projects. He has been Head of Legal Operations for TotalEnergies since August 2018, where he has led a team that has implemented an ambitious innovation roadmap for TotalEnergies, including several digital projects.

As the concept of outsourcing has expanded beyond its restrictive definition, legal outsourcing is changing the legal industry. Although outsourcing isn't new to business, it's relatively new to the legal industry.To help unpack this, we spoke with Nicolas Leroux, founder and managing partner of Kalexius, and Eric O'Donnell, head of legal operations at Total Energies. Nicolas Leroux is the Founder and Managing Director of Kalexius. He leads operations across all practice areas and is responsible for strategic orientations and business development. Prior to founding Kalexius in 2011, Nicolas was in private practice, working on public international law and arbitration.Nicolas is a member of the Geneva and Paris bars and holds a PhD in international law from Université Panthéon Assas Paris IIEric O'Donnell qualified as a solicitor in Ireland in 1995 and began his in-house career soon afterwards in France with Eurosport, a pan-European sports broadcaster. There, he was responsible for operational aspects of the business and was involved in the launch of several language versions and the first “window” in the UK. In 2001, Eric changed sectors and moved to Chanel, the luxury company and in 2003 started in the Refining & Marketing branch of Total (now TotalEnergies). Over the next 10 years, Eric worked on several landmark files including the Black Empowerment project for Total South Africa, development projects in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Egypt & Ghana), Asia (Pakistan), and Europe (UK), and a refining joint venture with Saudi Aramco in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Eric took up the position of Head of Legal Marketing & Services for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, covering the legal management of over 50 affiliates as well as development projects. He has been Head of Legal Operations for TotalEnergies since August 2018, where he has led a team that has implemented an ambitious innovation roadmap for TotalEnergies, including several digital projects.

While Legal Operations is not a new concept, it is gaining popularity as General Counsel look for ways to create efficiencies within their legal departments. In-house legal teams rely on Legal Operations functions for strategic planning, people management, operational efficiency, technology investments, and project management.As a result, more and more companies are hiring Legal Operations professionals. Formerly regarded as a technology-driven, project-based role, the role has evolved into a fully-fledged one that encompasses many aspects. To find out more about legal operations as a career path, we spoke with Nicolas Leroux, founder and managing partner of Kalexius, and Eric O'Donnell, head of legal operations at Total Energies. Nicolas Leroux is the Founder and Managing Director of Kalexius. He leads operations across all practice areas and is responsible for strategic orientations and business development. Prior to founding Kalexius in 2011, Nicolas was in private practice, working on public international law and arbitration.Nicolas is a member of the Geneva and Paris bars and holds a PhD in international law from Université Panthéon Assas Paris IIEric O'Donnell qualified as a solicitor in Ireland in 1995 and began his in-house career soon afterwards in France with Eurosport, a pan-European sports broadcaster. There, he was responsible for operational aspects of the business and was involved in the launch of several language versions and the first “window” in the UK. In 2001, Eric changed sectors and moved to Chanel, the luxury company and in 2003 started in the Refining & Marketing branch of Total (now TotalEnergies). Over the next 10 years, Eric worked on several landmark files including the Black Empowerment project for Total South Africa, development projects in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Egypt & Ghana), Asia (Pakistan), and Europe (UK), and a refining joint venture with Saudi Aramco in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Eric took up the position of Head of Legal Marketing & Services for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, covering the legal management of over 50 affiliates as well as development projects. He has been Head of Legal Operations for TotalEnergies since August 2018, where he has led a team that has implemented an ambitious innovation roadmap for TotalEnergies, including several digital projects.

"Do more with less" has been the call of many legal departments for almost a decade. Legal departments have had to ask themselves whether they are operating in a strategically sound manner when responding to this call. Thus, we are seeing a rise in legal operation functions in legal departments. Legal department heads must find ways to maximize productivity, streamline processes, and create value. All this while keeping a close eye on costs.In legal operations, multidisciplinary skills are combined to optimize the delivery of legal services. It is likely that you deal with legal operations already if you are in a legal department.To find out how these legal departments can make the most of legal operations, we spoke with Nicolas Leroux, founder and managing partner of Kalexius, and Eric O'Donnell, head of legal operations at Total Energies. Nicolas Leroux is the Founder and Managing Director of Kalexius. He leads operations across all practice areas and is responsible for strategic orientations and business development. Prior to founding Kalexius in 2011, Nicolas was in private practice, working on public international law and arbitration.Nicolas is a member of the Geneva and Paris bars and holds a PhD in international law from Université Panthéon Assas Paris IIEric O'Donnell qualified as a solicitor in Ireland in 1995 and began his in-house career soon afterwards in France with Eurosport, a pan-European sports broadcaster. There, he was responsible for operational aspects of the business and was involved in the launch of several language versions and the first “window” in the UK. In 2001, Eric changed sectors and moved to Chanel, the luxury company and in 2003 started in the Refining & Marketing branch of Total (now TotalEnergies). Over the next 10 years, Eric worked on several landmark files including the Black Empowerment project for Total South Africa, development projects in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Egypt & Ghana), Asia (Pakistan), and Europe (UK), and a refining joint venture with Saudi Aramco in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Eric took up the position of Head of Legal Marketing & Services for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, covering the legal management of over 50 affiliates as well as development projects. He has been Head of Legal Operations for TotalEnergies since August 2018, where he has led a team that has implemented an ambitious innovation roadmap for TotalEnergies, including several digital projects.

What it takes for a company to be resilient is constantly evolving, driven by macro socio-economic disruptions and micro business issues influencing a change in business models. A four-part series with FTI Consulting and Conventus Law focusing on the key areas where organisations can protect value and take action, to address critical issues and mitigate risks.We are in a period of rapid regulatory evolution with respect to data privacy. As Julie Brill, Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate Vice-President for Global Privacy and Regulatory Affairs, Microsoft says, “The regulatory tsunami is coming”. The data privacy landscape in Asia is varied, complex and evolving. We are already seeing the wheels of change in motion as the data privacy laws of several Asian jurisdictions are being updated to reflect more closely the European data protection regime (eg PIPL).In this special episode, FTI Consulting's Gino Bello hosts Sandeep Jadav and Tim de Sousa at FTI Consulting to unpack the state of regulations in the data privacy space and how businesses can tackle these challenges.