Co-Presidents, Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Renita Sophia Crasta
Co-President at Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Daniel Choo
Co-President at Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
The Modern Legal Department Catherine Kemnitz
With rising complexities of the changing economy, and the rapid evolution of technologies, and regulations, in-house legal teams are increasingly challenged to meet the demands placed on themselves. What can Legal leaders do to pivot their legal department to optimize their resources to address risks and enable business growth and strategies?
Catherine Kemnitz, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom shares her insights on this important aspect of building your modern legal department.
Catherine Kemnitz
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom
Tech④Legal • On-Demand Legal Resources: The Digital Transformation Yolanda Chan
On-Demand Legal Resources: The Digital Transformation
Yolanda Chan
Managing Director of Axiom Law (APAC)
Coffee Break & Networking Session
Behind “The Glory” of K-Content – The Secret Ascendance of Korean Soft Power Marie PARK•Mihee Park•Alexander Yap
The Korean entertainment & gaming industries have seen phenomenal growth in recent years with various K-Content including K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Games, and K-Webtoons gaining worldwide recognition. However, with fame and fortune come legal challenges and this session aims to explain the legal landscape surrounding K-Content, including key regulations, development, transactions, and disputes in the Korean entertainment and gaming industries.
In recent years, the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has gained increasing recognition in various industries, including the legal field. As the legal profession continues to evolve, in-house counsel, who play a crucial role in advising and guiding organizations, are increasingly focusing on building and fostering a culture of DEI within their organizations.
The in-house counsel can also play a critical role by proactively identifying and addressing potential legal issues related to DEI, and can help organizations prevent costly and damaging lawsuits, investigations, and reputational harm. They can review and revise policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws, and provide guidance to employees on DEI-related legal matters.
Faz Hussen
Head of Legal, Compliance & Government Relations at McDonald's Singapore
Chua Hwee Ping
Vice President, International Legal & Compliance at MSD International GmbH (Singapore Branch)
Lyn Lee
Group Head, Legal at OCBC Bank
Terry Thornley
General Counsel, APAC at Spencer Stuart
Jasmine Karimi
Assistant General Counsel, Regional Counsel, APAC at FMC Corporation
Leadership & Career Development for In-house Counsels Renita Sophia Crasta•Matthew Hunter•Catherine Kemnitz•Amber Riley
Get ready for an exciting panel discussion as seasoned in-house counsels come together to share their insights and experiences on how to develop leadership skills and advance your career in the legal industry. This discussion promises to cover the current state of the industry, challenges faced by in-house counsels and the roadmap to achieving leadership excellence. In-house counsels often find themselves in unique positions that require essential leadership skills, such as effective communication, strategic thinking, and relationship building. Our expert panelists will provide practical tips and insights on how to develop these skills and apply them in various scenarios, such as managing teams, negotiating deals, and dealing with stakeholders. Furthermore, the panelists will share their personal stories on how they have advanced their careers, discussing various career paths available, such as becoming a general counsel or a chief legal officer, and the skills and experiences needed to succeed in these roles. With the floor open to questions from the audience, this panel discussion is an opportunity to seek expert advice on leadership and career development as an in-house counsel.
Renita Sophia Crasta
Co-President at Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Matthew Hunter
Head of Legal & Company Secretary at Trust Bank
Catherine Kemnitz
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom
Amber Riley
Managing Director, Legal of Macquarie Bank Limited
Lunch Break & Networking Session
Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Veronica Lai•Antony Lee•Hai Tran•Adam Emilianou
The integration of ESG considerations in the legal profession reflects the growing recognition of the role that organisations play in driving sustainable and responsible business practices. By incorporating ESG principles into their operations, strategies, and services, the legal profession can contribute to the promotion of sustainability, social responsibility, and good governance, while also aligning with the evolving expectations of clients, investors, and other stakeholders who prioritize ESG factors in their decision-making processes.
Veronica Lai
Chief Corporate & Sustainability Officer & General Counsel at StarHub Ltd
Antony Lee
Deputy General Counsel, Asia Pacific & General Counsel, Singapore at HSBC
Hai Tran
Head of Legal & Compliance at Climate Impact X Pte . Ltd.
Adam Emilianou
Head of Corporate Services & General Counsel at Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd.
Emerging Issues in IP strategy & protection Kalindee Mehta•Trina Ha•Ana Haynes•Koh Teck Wah•Leong Yi-Ming
IP innovation, strategy, and protection are critical aspects of modern business strategy, and legal professionals play a vital role in assisting businesses in managing their IP assets. From identifying and protecting IP assets to managing IP portfolios, commercializing IP assets, and enforcing IP rights, legal professionals provide invaluable guidance and expertise to help businesses effectively utilize and protect their IP assets, mitigate risks, and gain a competitive advantage in the market.
Kalindee Mehta
Regional General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at SAP
Trina Ha
Chief Legal Counsel at Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
Ana Haynes
General Counsel – SEAK, Japan & India at EssilorLuxottica
Koh Teck Wah
Head of Legal, APAC at Syngenta
Leong Yi-Ming
Partner at Allen & Gledhill LLP
Coffee Break & Networking Session
Investing in South Asia: The State of Play in 2023 Rudra Pandey•Anita Ghazi Rahman•Savantha De Saram•Daniel Himpson
Join a panel of legal experts from across the region to explore the current investment landscape across South Asia. Expect a wide-ranging discussion covering:
• Trends and market forces shaping the region • Opportunities and growth areas • How to avoid common pitfalls
The panel is a collaboration between Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (India), The Legal Circle (Bangladesh) and D. L. & F. De Saram (Sri Lanka), all members of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms.
Rudra Pandey
Senior Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Anita Ghazi Rahman
Founder of The Legal Circle
Savantha De Saram
Senior Partner at D. L. & F. De Saram
Daniel Himpson
Head of Asia Pacific, Global Markets at Lex Mundi
Managing Disputes: Walking a legal tightrope Natasha Sulaiman•Greg Chew•Kevin Nash•Mark Seah•Audrey Ng
Litigation and dispute resolution are important areas of expertise for in-house counsel, who play a crucial role in managing and resolving disputes on behalf of their organizations. In-house counsel, as internal legal advisors, work closely with the company's management and other stakeholders to protect the organization's interests and manage litigation and dispute resolution effectively.
Natasha Sulaiman
VP Legal & Compliance at Singapore Airlines
Greg Chew
General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer at Nanyang Technological University
Kevin Nash
Registrar at Singapore International Arbitration Centre
Mark Seah
Senior Partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Audrey Ng
Managing Director & APAC General Counsel for Litigation of Citibank
APAC Legal Congress 2023 Co-Chair's Closing Address Stanley Park•Yi Wong
Closing remarks by the Co-Chairs of the APAC Legal Conference 2023 Steering Committee.
Stanley Park
Board Director of Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Yi Wong
General Counsel at Yeo Hiap Seng Limited
Registration & Refreshments
APAC Legal Congress 2023 Co-Chair's Welcome Address Stanley Park•Yi Wong
Welcome address by the Co-Chairs of the APAC Legal Conference 2023 Steering Committee.
Stanley Park
Board Director of Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Yi Wong
General Counsel at Yeo Hiap Seng Limited
Opening Keynote Lam Chee Kin
Lam Chee Kin
Managing Director & Head Group Legal & Compliance of DBS Bank Ltd
The rising role of technology in revolutionizing legal functions of the future Arpinder Singh
Legal teams are undergoing a tectonic shift with technological intervention transforming key functions. Basic operational and repetitive tasks tax legal processes heavily, drawing their attention away from strategic decision-making. With tech-led innovative automation solutions, legal professionals can leverage their expertise on creating value addition for the organization.
To help reduce manual load and increase efficiency, disruptive tech tools can be employed for monotonous matter management, tedious research work, digital billing of administrative and secretarial expenses, managing reams of documents for easy accessibility, and verifying contracts extensively. Powered by AI, predictive coding technology can expedite legal decision-making too, helping expand the scope of legal processes.
Arpinder Singh
Global Markets & India Forensic & Integrity Services Leader at EY Forensic & Integrity Services
Coffee Break & Networking Session
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Laws Daniel Choo•Ramesh Moosa•Welly Tantono•Edmund Koh
Data privacy and cybersecurity are critical concerns in the legal profession, as organisations handle vast amounts of sensitive and confidential information. To safeguard client data and protect against cyber threats, the organisation is subject to various data privacy and cybersecurity laws. These laws outline the obligations and responsibilities of organisations in handling, storing, and transmitting data, as well as the consequences of non-compliance.
Non-compliance with data privacy and cybersecurity laws can have severe consequences for organisations, including financial penalties, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. Therefore, organisations need to establish robust data privacy and cybersecurity policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Daniel Choo
Co-President at Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Ramesh Moosa
Asean & Singapore Forensic & Integrity Services Leader at EY Forensic & Integrity Services
Welly Tantono
General Counsel & Interim Head of Cybersecurity at Secretlab
Edmund Koh
Legal Counsel at SWIFT
Managing Digital Transformation, Innovation, Assets & Royalties David Blanco•Dr Francis Goh•Agnieszka Verlet•Jay Buckley
Managing digital transformation, innovation, assets, and royalties is a critical responsibility for in-house counsel in today's fast-paced digital landscape. As organisations undergo digital transformation or leverage on technology to create and distribute digital content, it becomes imperative for in-house counsel to navigate the legal complexities to protect the company's interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
David Blanco
ASEAN Head of Law, Patents & Compliance / APAC Regional Counsel at Bayer
Dr Francis Goh
Digital Innovation Leader, Cloud Innovation Centre at Amazon Web Services
Agnieszka Verlet
Head of Legal at SC Ventures
Jay Buckley
Senior Vice-President & Chief Legal Counsel, APAC at PepsiCo
Developing Policy for Tech Regulation Anu Ambikaipalan•Prerena Gandhi•Ave King•Mike Yeh
As technology continues to rapidly evolve, there is a growing need for legal professionals to develop policies for tech regulation to address the legal and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Tech regulation policies aim to ensure that technology is used responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Developing policy for tech regulation requires a deep understanding of technology, legal expertise, and consideration of various stakeholders' interests.
One of the key aspects of developing tech regulation policies is understanding the technology landscape. Technology advancements such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and biotechnology have significant legal and ethical implications. Legal professionals need to stay updated on the latest technological developments, trends, and potential risks to effectively draft policies that address the legal challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Anu Ambikaipalan
Associate General Counsel at Uber
Prerena Gandhi
Head of Legal at Amazon
Ave King
Deputy Head of Compliance at FalconX
Mike Yeh
Regional Vice President & Associate General Counsel at Microsoft
Lunch Break & Networking Session
Why GCs should care about Blockchain & Digital Tokens Andrew Bogusz Grotowski•John Ho•Regina Liew•Larry Lim•Ezra Tay
Blockchain and cryptographic tokens are rapidly emerging technologies that have significant legal implications. Understanding the legal aspects of blockchain and cryptographic tokens is crucial for legal professionals to navigate the evolving landscape of digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), and cryptocurrencies. From a legal perspective, blockchain and cryptographic tokens raise a myriad of legal issues that require careful consideration.
Andrew Bogusz Grotowski
Regional General Counsel & Senior Adviser
John Ho
Head, Legal, Financial Markets at Standard Chartered Bank
Regina Liew
Head, Financial Institutions Group at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Larry Lim
Deputy Head, Financial Institutions Group at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Ezra Tay
General Counsel at Tazapay
Leveraging Technology Amidst Growing Data Risks Christian Greissinger•John Cordova•Nicholas Fell•Glenn Seah•Kalindee Mehta
The legal industry, like many other sectors, has been significantly impacted by the rapid advancement of technology. Technology has transformed the way legal professionals operate, offering new opportunities for efficiency, productivity, and enhanced client services. However, with the growing reliance on technology, there are also increased risks associated with data breaches, cybersecurity threats, and data privacy concerns. Legal professionals need to be aware of these risks and take appropriate measures to leverage technology while mitigating potential data risks.
Christian Greissinger
General Counsel Asia Pacific at Siemens
John Cordova
Director & Deputy General Counsel of Grab
Nicholas Fell
Executive Vice President & General Counsel at BW Group
Glenn Seah
Managing Director Head Legal, Compliance & Corporate Secretariat of Singapore Exchange Limited
Kalindee Mehta
Regional General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at SAP
Coffee Break & Networking Session
ChatGPT & The legal Implications for the in-house counsel Christopher Chan•Joy Fuyuno•Rebecca Hong•Kelvin Kek•Vijay Selvam
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, has emerged as a powerful tool that can generate human-like text responses. While ChatGPT has numerous potential applications, including in-house legal departments, it also raises important legal implications for in-house counsel to consider.
Christopher Chan
General Counsel, APAC at Jones Lang LaSalle
Joy Fuyuno
Asia Regional Director, Commercial & Strategic Projects of Microsoft
Rebecca Hong
APJ General Counsel at Autodesk
Kelvin Kek
Partner at Allen & Gledhill LLP
Vijay Selvam
Managing Director & APAC Head of Legal at Leonteq Securities AG
Technology & Its Effect on the Demand for Legal Services Peggy Lim•Penny Koo•Rita Kriz•Iain MacDonald
The legal industry is undergoing a significant transformation as technology continues to disrupt traditional business models across various sectors. The rapid advancement of technology has had a profound impact on the demand for legal services, influencing how legal services are delivered, the types of services in demand, and the skills required for legal professionals. Legal professionals need to adapt to these changing dynamics and develop the necessary skills and expertise to meet the evolving demand for legal services in the digital age.
Peggy Lim
Head of Legal, Wider Asia Region at Haleon
Penny Koo
General Counsel & Company Secretary at AIA Singapore
Rita Kriz
Deputy General Counsel, Head of Legal - Asia/GCR at McKinsey & Company
Iain MacDonald
General Counsel for Asia, Middle East & Africa at Lloyd's Register
APAC Legal Congress 2023 Co-Chair's Closing Address Stanley Park•Yi Wong
Closing remarks by the Co-Chairs of the APAC Legal Conference 2023 Steering Committee.
Stanley Park
Board Director of Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Yi Wong
General Counsel at Yeo Hiap Seng Limited
VIETNAM TRACK
VIETNAM • Updates in the M&A Landscape: Current trends & outlook in the Vietnam market Justin Gisz
The year started with increased anticipation for the M&A market. However, the number of successful transactions has not met initial forecasts for many key reasons. What are the key insights that we can take from the current market? What opportunities are there for foreign investors in Vietnam?
Justin Gisz
Partner at Frasers Law Company
VIETNAM • Restructuring, Turnaround & Insolvency: Maximising the opportunities in Vietnam in the current investment climate Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram
The growth outlook remains positive for South East Asia and Vietnam, but there is considerable relaxing with regard to the investment risk appetite by international investors. How can restructuring and turnarounds work for businesses and how can they integrate these into their recovery and growth strategies?
Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram
Senior Associate at Frasers Law Company
VIETNAM • Dispute Resolution & International Arbitration in Vietnam: Enforcement of arbitral awards Earl Rivera-Dolera
Arbitration is increasingly becoming an appealing method for both international and local companies in Vietnam. What are the practical considerations that parties need to consider especially with respect to the enforcement phase of the arbitral awards?
Earl Rivera-Dolera
Head of International Arbitration Practice at Frasers Law Company
Coffee Break & Networking Session
VIETNAM • Foreign Exchange Controls in Vietnam: Fundamentals & practical considerations for foreign investors Nguyen Mai Phuong
Foreign exchange control is one of the biggest concerns of all foreign investors entering Vietnam. With foreign currency outflow highly regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam, how can investors ensure they avoid the risks of non-compliance?
Nguyen Mai Phuong
Senior Associate at Frasers Law Company
VIETNAM • DP & Cybersecurity: What can we expect from Vietnam’s Decree on Personal Data Protection? Earl Rivera-Dolera
With the increased anticipation of the official issuance of Vietnam’s Decree on Personal Data Protection, what can businesses expect in the data protection and cybersecurity regulatory and enforcement landscape?
Earl Rivera-Dolera
Head of International Arbitration Practice at Frasers Law Company
VIETNAM • Fast Talk: Questions & Answers with Team Frasers Mark Fraser•Justin Gisz•Nguyen Mai Phuong•Earl Rivera-Dolera•Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram
Your hottest questions about the Vietnam legal and investment landscape, answered live by Team Frasers.
Mark Fraser
Managing Partner at Frasers Law Company
Justin Gisz
Partner at Frasers Law Company
Nguyen Mai Phuong
Senior Associate at Frasers Law Company
Earl Rivera-Dolera
Head of International Arbitration Practice at Frasers Law Company
Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram
Senior Associate at Frasers Law Company
Registration & Refreshments
INDIA TRACK
INDIA • ‘Eye on India’: A legal, commercial & political round-up on India Vivek Kathpalia•Rishabh Shroff•Kwong Weng Wan
Join us for a fun and lively update on the key commercial, political and legal trends playing out in India. How is life on the ground in India for Singaporean investors? What are the key changes that affect the ease of doing business? What are the expectations from our elections in 2024? We will explore such themes and more during our talk!
Vivek Kathpalia
Managing Director & CEO – Singapore of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Rishabh Shroff
Partner (Head of International Business Development and Co-Head of the Private Client practice) at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Kwong Weng Wan
Group Chief Corporate Officer & Group General Counsel at Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd
Coffee Break & Networking Session
INDIA • Regulation & Opportunities in the Indian Technology space Vivek Kathpalia•Ganesh Kumar•Rishabh Shroff•Pujarini Guha Maulik
India is going through a digital renaissance, including in relation to its regulatory architecture. Many of India’s key laws surrounding technology ranging from Data, to Telecoms and Platforms, are being completely rewritten with a focus on simplification e.g. Digital India Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Social media, intermediaries, and gaming companies are waking up to a new dawn of regulation. E-commerce is becoming democratized with the launch of the ONDC network. Fintech has seen exponential growth. All these changes are happening keeping the all-important Indian consumer in mind. Our panel will touch upon all these important and exciting developments.
Vivek Kathpalia
Managing Director & CEO – Singapore of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Ganesh Kumar
Senior Advisor (Former Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India) at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Rishabh Shroff
Partner (Head of International Business Development and Co-Head of the Private Client practice) at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Pujarini Guha Maulik
Senior Vice President, Legal & Privacy at InMobi
Lunch Break & Networking Session
APAC TRACK
APAC • ESG risks in Singapore & the wider APAC region: what GCs need to know Ipshita Chaturvedi•Mark Seah•Mark Wong
ESG factors impact every market and virtually every business model across the globe. While a step in the right direction, this global transformation carries a complex web of risks for businesses particularly because the regulatory landscape for ESG is not the same everywhere. This session will focus on some ESG risks that GCs need to be aware of, including in M&A transactions, disclosures, due diligence, supply chain management, decarbonisation/emissions reduction strategy and reporting, as well as greenwashing avoidance. We will also discuss the emergence of ESG related disputes across Singapore, the APAC region and beyond.
Hear from our panel of legal and financial experts for a holistic view on how to navigate a distressed environment. What should companies consider as creditors in an insolvency process? What should companies do when there is financial trouble on the horizon? The key takeaways include the early warning signs to look out for, the importance of robust and timely information and what proactive steps can be taken.
Debby Lim
Partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Saw Meng Tee
Managing Partner at EisnerAmper Singapore
Jonathan Ong
Director, Restructuring & Insolvency of EisnerAmper Singapore
Coffee Break & Networking Session
APAC • Legal Trends in APAC: Reforms, Development & Possibilities Jonathan Guwe•Loh Kia Meng•Ng Sook Zhen•Hsu Li Chuan
In this panel discussion, we look at some of the recent legal and business trends in Asia Pacific, with a focus on Singapore, China, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam. We delve into the major legal reforms in the region, and aim to share more about the legal solutions to these reforms. We will also share about the possibilities we see in doing business across this region. We have identified four mega-trends in the region for 2023: innovating and transacting in the digital age, the next wave of foreign direct investment, the future of free trade, and the restructuring of employment. We will look at how businesses can approach each megatrend practically, with first-hand insights from our panellists lawyers. Through this panel discussion, we aim to provide participants with a roadmap to legal innovation trends in APAC today so we may better expect tomorrow.
APAC • A tailored dispute resolution clause: the first step to efficient management of disputes Loh Jen Wei•Melissa Thng•Lau Wen Jin•Benatt Lee•Delphine Ho
In managing disputes, as with most things, it is crucial to get off on the right foot. The path of dispute resolution is to a large extent determined by the dispute resolution clause which parties draft into their contracts. It determines whether parties go to court or arbitration, and whether parties are able to easily avail themselves of interim relief or arbitral devices such as expedited procedures or early dismissal. Model clauses do not serve all purposes - there are a plethora of options and variations that parties can and should consider. Join our panel of experts as they discuss the various considerations that go into crafting the perfect dispute resolution clause, and share the tips and tricks learned from experience. There will also be a demonstration of the Dentons ICA Toolkit designed to help clients, in-house counsel and other interested persons understand and be able to navigate the different arbitral practices and attitudes in various jurisdictions.
Loh Jen Wei
Senior Partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Melissa Thng
Partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Lau Wen Jin
Partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Benatt Lee
Registrar at Singapore International Mediation Centre
Delphine Ho
Independent Arbitrator & Mediator at The Arbitration Chambers
SOUTHEAST ASIA TRACK
SOUTHEAST ASIA • ESG: Legal & Regulatory Issues that Keep GCs Awake at Night Kala Anandarajah•Priscilla Soh•Lee Weilin•Joyce Lai
The sustainability landscape is expanding and becoming increasingly diverse, complex and risk laden and the emphasis on ESG is now a business imperative across all sectors and types of companies. Businesses can no longer ignore ESG issues today.
Positioned as the intersection of legal, compliance and risk management, the GC needs to take the lead in ensuring that the ESG factors are not overlooked in their businesses, making them answerable to the Board and other key stakeholders. The increasing importance of sustainability and ESG go hand in hand with the role of the GC. A well-honed ESG strategy is an investor relations tool, an employee engagement strategy, an investment vehicle and a competitive advantage in the talent war, and the GC can lead the way.
But ESG goes further than merely addressing environmental, social and governance concerns as it is narrowly understood. It creeps into multifarious areas of the legal and regulatory environment, requiring the GC to be in a position to alert businesses as they undertake investments. What should GCs be aware of and what courses of actions are available?
Join subject matter experts from Rajah & Tann’s Sustainability practice as they speak on this topic. Discussions will include:
• Understanding the depth and breadth of sustainability issues in the legal and regulatory environment. • Overcoming challenges in Sustainability Reporting – recognising and tackling greenwashing and other potential risks arising from listed company sustainability reporting. • Potential conflict between competition law and increasing ESG initiatives by businesses, in particular collaboration between businesses. • What to look out for to minimise and manage the legal risks arising from ESG issues, and the courses of actions available.
Kala Anandarajah
Head, Competition & Antitrust and Trade; Lead Partner, Corporate Governance at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
ESG & Sustainability - Group Legal & Compliance at DBS Bank Ltd
Coffee Break & Networking Session
SOUTHEAST ASIA • 2023 Outlook: How GCs are impacted by the slower economy & how should they navigate these headwinds Jansen Chow•Sim Kwan Kiat•Jonathan Yuen
As 2023 progresses, economic indicators continue to reveal headwinds that will persist throughout the year and potentially into 2024. A global recession is brewing. Inflation has been rising and higher interest rates are propelling commodity prices to record highs while global economic risk abounds.
We’ve already seen job losses in the technology and finance sectors – and economists predict more are coming. Troubled businesses may be forced to consider unplanned withdrawals from existing commitments, pursue accelerated asset disposals or may themselves present an attractive investment opportunity for new equity stakeholders capable of providing new capital. Businesses are facing their own squeeze between rapidly climbing costs and customers unwilling or unable to pay higher prices. It is a mix that we know from experience will lead to more legal disputes. As corporations respond to lower business demand and possibly a recession, businesses will need to right-size and manage retrenchments at scale; as well as reconsider discretionary bonus payments.
Join our team of Rajah & Tann lawyers to talk about how GCs can prepare to navigate these headwinds and be more proactive in their risk profiles. Discussion will include:
• How GCs can mitigate risk, ensure businesses right-size, and carry out retrenchment exercises legally. • Navigating distressed and insolvent assets. • Dispute Resolution & Crisis Management
SOUTHEAST ASIA • Investment trends in & from Singapore across the region Tracy Ang•Shemane Chan•Angela Lim•Philip Yeo
Deployment of funds into the region; Infrastructure Development - renewable energy, logistics and transport, public health, and info-communication technology, etc
Partner, Construction & Projects and Energy & Resources at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Angela Lim
Co-Head, Banking & Finance at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Philip Yeo
Deputy Head, Funds & Investment Management Group at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Registration & Refreshments
KOREA TRACK
KOREA • Recent Trends & Real Cases of Corporate Investigations Hanjo KIM•June Yong LEE
We will discuss the regulatory and compliance environment in Korea with a focus on know-how and tips for internal investigations and their challenges. The discussions will also include the use of forensic analysis as a means of efficient and effective fact-finding.
Hanjo KIM
Attorney at Kim & Chang
June Yong LEE
Foreign Attorney at Kim & Chang
Coffee Break & Networking Session
KOREA • Navigating the Challenges & Opportunities of the Global Restructuring Environment & President Yoon’s Updated Labor Policies & Practices Helen Heoun Joo KIM•Hoin LEE•Hyun Jae PARK
The session is intended to assist global and regional-level management teams to better understand key facets of restructuring and reduction-in-force exercises in Korea and significant developments involving the current administration’s goal of establishing a more level playing field.
Helen Heoun Joo KIM
Attorney at Kim & Chang
Hoin LEE
Foreign Attorney at Kim & Chang
Hyun Jae PARK
Attorney at Kim & Chang
KOREA • Recent Trends & Outlook for the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA) Implementation Kyungsun Kyle CHOI•Hanjo KIM•June Yong LEE
We will share some key takeaways concerning SAPA cases – including the salient attributes of SAPA investigation conducted by the Korean government authorities and the material factors that led to the indictment decision in the initial batch of cases that have been prosecuted since the SAPA went into effect in 2022. We will also discuss special compliance challenges in relation to the SAPA which faces multinational companies doing business in Korea, particularly with respect to those that have “matrix-type” organizations. Finally, we will comment on the likely direction for the SAPA enforcement regime going forward in light of the continuing debate over a possible amendment to the SAPA.
Kyungsun Kyle CHOI
Foreign Attorney at Kim & Chang
Hanjo KIM
Attorney at Kim & Chang
June Yong LEE
Foreign Attorney at Kim & Chang
Lunch Break & Networking Session
INDONESIA Track
INDONESIA • DIGITALIZATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION Anil Changaroth•Danny Kobrata•Reza Topobroto
Challenges and opportunities for in-house counsel and the importance to be familiar with the new data protection law. The panel shares thoughts and views on how the legal profession in Indonesia can play its role in transformation when dealing with the wave of digitalization, as well as the lessons learned from the transformation journey.
Anil Changaroth
Partner, Appropriate Dispute Resolution Practice at RHTLaw Asia LLP
Danny Kobrata
Partner at K&K Advocates
Reza Topobroto
General Counsel, VP Legal & Compliance at Telkomsigma
INDONESIA • BANKRUPTCY & SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS: CREDITORS’ APPROACHES Aprilda Fiona•Reza Topobroto
The Indonesian Bankruptcy Law provides a legal framework for creditors to seek payment from debtors who are unable to fulfill their financial obligations. Under this law, a creditor can file for bankruptcy against a debtor if the debtor has defaulted on their payment obligations and is unable to pay their debts as they fall due. The bankruptcy filing can be made by an individual creditor or a group of creditors, and it must be supported by evidence of the debtor's inability to pay its debts.
From a creditor's perspective, the bankruptcy law provides a legal avenue to recover outstanding debts from an insolvent debtor. However, the process can be lengthy and complicated, and the recovery of debts may not be guaranteed. Creditors should therefore be cautious in extending credit to debtors and should take steps to protect their interests, such as securing collateral or obtaining guarantees from third parties.
In this session we will explain about bankruptcy law and its purpose, creditors' rights under the Indonesian Bankruptcy Law, the impact of a PKPU on creditors' rights to recover their debts and key takeaways for creditors to protect their interests under the Indonesian bankruptcy law and why creditors need to seek professional advice when dealing with bankruptcy situations in Indonesia.
Aprilda Fiona
Partner at AFHS LawFirm
Reza Topobroto
General Counsel, VP Legal & Compliance at Telkomsigma
Coffee Break & Networking Session
INDONESIA • UPDATE ON ANTI CORRUPTION ENFORCEMENT Hendronoto Soesabdo•Reza Topobroto
The topic of this discussion is an update on anti-corruption enforcement in Indonesia. Indonesia has been battling corruption for many years, and the government has been working to strengthen its anti-corruption measures. This discussion will cover the progress made by the government, the challenges faced in the implementation of anticorruption measures, and the effectiveness of the measures in reducing corruption.
The discussion will start with an overview of the current state of corruption in Indonesia including its impact on the country's economic growth and development. The speaker will then provide an update on the various measures implemented by the government to combat corruption, including the establishment of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the introduction of the electronic procurement system (e-Procurement).
The discussion will also highlight the challenges faced by the government in the implementation of anti-corruption measures, including the resistance from corrupt officials, limited resources, and inadequate legal frameworks. The speaker will address the need for greater political will and institutional reform to strengthen the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.
Finally, the discussion will conclude with an analysis of the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in Indonesia. The speaker will provide an overview of the impact of these measures on the reduction of corruption and discuss the areas where further improvement is required. Overall, this discussion will provide an insightful update on the progress of anti-corruption enforcement in Indonesia, highlighting the measures taken by the government, the challenges faced, and the effectiveness of these measures in reducing corruption in the country.
Hendronoto Soesabdo
Partner at AFHS LawFirm
Reza Topobroto
General Counsel, VP Legal & Compliance at Telkomsigma
INDONESIA • LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT ON CARBON TRADING Aprilda Fiona
As a signatory to the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, which provide the legal framework for international carbon trading, Indonesia can participate in international carbon trading schemes such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). These schemes allow countries to earn carbon credits by investing in greenhouse gas reduction projects in other countries.
The legal framework for carbon trading in Indonesia is primarily governed by Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management. The law also creates the legal framework for the establishment of the Indonesian Carbon Reduction Scheme (ICRS), which is the national carbon trading scheme in Indonesia.
The ICRS is managed by the MoEF and is designed to encourage the private sector to invest in greenhouse gas reduction projects and the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Indonesia. The objective of this discussion is to understand the scheme and legal framework for carbon trading in Indonesia.
