A CITI girl

From a humble team of lawyers in Asia, including four in Hong Kong in 1996, Citi’s lawyer headcount has now swelled to 150, spanning 19 jurisdictions in Asia. And according to Sunita Mirpuri, Director and Counsel – Corporate Bank of Citi, Hong Kong, each lawyer has been critical in driving growth at the company’s legal department since then. An investment in the right talent translates into what Citi calls ‘the human capital’ – the most important asset for any team worth their mettle, she tells Aparna Assomull Bundro.

Taking the plunge

After twenty years in a partnership role at Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson, Bob Santamaria took the plunge and moved in-house in 2007, joining ANZ as Group General Counsel. The GFC hit a mere few months later, rocking the banking world to its core. For Santamaria, it was a case of sink or swim, and despite the inevitable challenges that ensued, he explains to Rebecca Brookes why he has never looked back.

Breaking new ground

After 35 years with GE, Stephen Maloy, General Counsel Asia Pacific, talks about turning challenges into opportunities, the importance of diversity in a multinational organisation, and the qualities GE looks for in external counsel.

Guarding the truth

Peter Nägele, Regional General Counsel of Siemens AG, explains how his team supports growth and integrity through governance and why personality is as important as good grades when hiring young talent.

The sky’s the limit

Sharifah Julina Afaf Syed Jalaludin, Group General Counsel at Malaysia Airlines (MAS), tells us about her high-flying role and the improving relationship between her legal team and the business

Cross-border challenges

Stephen Swanson, Chief Legal Officer with Invest AD – Abu Dhabi Investment Company, discusses the challenges of advising on fund launches in countries like Iraq, and the merits of adapting to different cultural requirements.

Rules of engagement

Gang Xu, director and associate general counsel of Walmart (China) Investment Co Ltd, tells us what qualities he looks for when recruiting staff and appointing external counsel

Shooting the breeze

Asian-Counsel sits down with Carlo van den Akker, General Counsel for Asia with NXP Semiconductors Singapore Pty Ltd, to discuss everything from hidden microphones and toasting moutai to why, when it comes to obtaining legal services, he would rather be a big fish in a smaller pond.

The right fit

Adaptable, bright, energetic and possessing a sense of humour? You might just fit the bill of one of the world’s preeminent financial advisors, according to Brett Graham, Deputy Head of Legal for Asia at Morgan Stanley.

A shift in direction

Once viewed as the poor cousin to private practice, attitudes towards in-house lawyers have shifted markedly in Australia in recent years, according to Group General Counsel Will Irving of Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services provider. He tells us why the winds of change continue to blow in respect of the in-house role.

Covering all bases

A remarkable career has seen General Counsel Chua Lee Ming of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd spend time as a coroner, magistrate, public prosecutor, and private practitioner. We speak to him about his decision to move in-house twelve years ago.

The challenges that lie ahead

With in-house counsel facing more competition than ever before, Ahmad Rizwan, legal advisor with the Government of Dubai, shares the core competencies that both he and his employer rely on for success.

International aspirations

From London to Cyprus, New Delhi to Singapore. We speak to Evangelos Apostolou, Vice President and Chief Counsel with BT Global Services, about his path to the top and the realities on the in-house role in today’s climate.

A seat at the table

Mitchell Stocks, General Counsel – Asia Pacific with US$3.5 billion technology company NetApp, shares his secrets to building a legal team in APAC from scratch, and how to ensure a seat at the table.

Conquering the divide

Thavakumar Kandiahpillai, General Counsel for the Shell Group of Companies in Malaysia discusses his transition from private practice to life as an in-house lawyer, and shares why Shell’s extensive recruitment process helps retain the cream of the crop.

Windows of opportunity

Fengming Liu, Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft’s Greater China Region, shares the challenges facing his in-house team and reveals how the software giant will use the downturn to hire and develop legal talent.

Ready for action

Peter Zhang, general counsel for Greater China with Sony Ericsson, discusses the ever-increasing importance of the in-house team.

Life in the think tank

Roberta Calarese Julfar, director of policy and legal services for the Dubai Financial Services Authority discusses the expertise of the institution’s in-house team.

Just deserts

Director of legal for the Arabian Real Estate Investment Trust, Adam Malouf discusses his career path and the challenges of his current role.

On solid ground

HSBC Japan head of legal Michael Hancock on his international career and the transition to in-house practice.

A public affair

Stefan Gannon, general counsel of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, discusses the unique role of the institution’s in-house team.