In 2022, Healey became deputy general counsel of SE`s U.S. business operations. He leads a team of seven lawyers who provide comprehensive legal support to various in-house business units. In addition to coordinating all legal matters, he works with business unit management teams to manage risk, introduce efficiencies and improve Schneider`s speed of execution. AI tools that can analyze contract terms save valuable time. However, some time is required to ensure that the substantive text (on applicable law, indemnities, liability caps, warranties, intellectual property protection, etc.) of what a legal team requires in your own contract is actually flagged by the AI program used. For simple documents such as a confidentiality agreement, a basic purchase agreement, and common lease or loan agreements, AI software could be useful. Similarly, AI programs can save considerable time in litigation/dispute resolution or for the due diligence of an M&A transaction, which may involve reviewing large files and documents, quickly finding/highlighting information on specific key topics. “I have always considered Michael a conscientious and team-oriented leader: he is a key member of Schneider America North America`s legal team and, with the support of Peter Wexler, Chief Legal Officer, his legal skills and experience have helped support the continued growth of Schneider Electric North America,” said Germaine Gurr, Partner at White & Case LLP. GC: Tell me about your role and how you became General Counsel for East Asia and Japan at Schneider Electric. It is Schneider Electric`s policy to provide equal employment and promotion opportunities in the recruitment, hiring, training, transfer and promotion of all qualified persons, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or other characteristics or conduct protected by law. Regarding agencies: Schneider Electric does not accept unsolicited resumes and is not responsible for any associated fees. Because it was built with software that SE already had access to, that had licenses, the platform was cost-effective.
Managers use the system to review timelines, provide action, and advocate for a larger workforce or other resources when needed. It worked so well that Healey says other North American legal teams have embraced it and are now starting to share the tool with teams in Europe and other parts of the world. Paul Fredrick discusses the importance of communication and a seamless approach to the law for multinational companies. PF: Our legal department has actively explored a variety of AI tools and how best to leverage them. We want to ensure that the core AI platforms (programs and software) envisioned work effectively, taking into account the type of negotiation and contract design driven by our lawyers. The smarter/more interactive the platform, the greater the overall effectiveness and likelihood of use by my legal team. Our legal team makes every effort to ensure that the contracts we enter into require adequate security and protection for all data exchanged between companies and other information that may be collected in any way through the use of Schneider Electric products and services. Companies that store data in the cloud should continue to work on improving their cybersecurity systems to mitigate future risks as much as possible. This is true for Schneider Electric and other multinationals like Microsoft and Google (both of which have large operations in Singapore) or social media companies like Facebook, which recently announced plans to build its first data center in Asia in Singapore for more than $1 billion.
Every day, I will spend time for the 15 countries in my region negotiating, drafting/revising agreements, dealing with compliance issues, advising management on potential disputes/dispute resolution or other matters, consulting with external counsel and various other matters related to board resolutions, corporate governance, intellectual property or the global supply chain. Every day is busy and different, but never boring. As an ICCA financial industry veteran, Park applies his perspective to trends observed by General Counsel in Singapore and beyond. PF: AI is changing the legal profession and this will continue in the years to come. There are so many facets to AI and now government agencies in the region are tackling the problem more actively. In June 2018, Singapore`s Data Protection Commission released a discussion paper on AI and personal data, so we continue to review it. GC sits down with in-house counsel at GlaxoSmithKline`s regional headquarters in Asia to discuss the challenges of leading a multinational legal team, innovating and acting as a custodian of one of the world`s largest pharmaceutical companies. We offer a flexible working environment and encourage internal international relocations.
We are, from a global perspective, about 250 legal advisors. You will be part of an experienced team in which we attach great importance to having fun at work and promoting and emphasizing sustainable core values. Meanwhile, Healey credits SE`s senior vice president and general counsel, Peter Wexler, for pushing SE`s legal department to be less responsive. They want to implement more tools to increase customer satisfaction and find additional ways to add value. Michael Healey has built his career in environmental law and has even worked in Washington, D.C., as a lawyer/consultant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At first glance, it may seem strange that someone with this experience is now serving as assistant general counsel at Schneider Electric (SE), but Healey says it`s a perfect fit. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are external online distributors of ALM`s extensive collection of current and archived versions of legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law clients may access and use ALM content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, New York Law Journal and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information. In the EAJ area, we are aware that contractual arrangements in our 15 countries may set a precedent with the same counterpart in other countries.
Our legal department has an extensive internal database of agreements signed for all strategic clients. Such a database, consulted by our global legal team, helps ensure consistency of key provisions relating to liability/indemnification, warranties, dispute resolution, and financial or other critical matters. To negotiate a complex transaction and structure the financing of a project on a large transaction, I think AI is unlikely to help lawyers too much at this stage. To predict outcomes in litigation, such as personal injury cases, AI is already proving to be a valuable tool for lawyers in private practice when advising clients on a likely outcome. As a result, law firms and in-house legal departments continue to examine the most practical applications of AI, and legal education courses now cover AI-related topics. PF: Yes, sometimes it`s possible. As most GCs will recognize, we are only good to the extent that our team allows us to be. Therefore, I have worked diligently to enable my nine lawyers to manage a large amount of work in their respective countries and to keep me informed of any issues that may escalate and require the attention of the legal or commercial department at my level and above. Johnson is Schneider Electric`s new General Counsel for North America.
Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Corporate General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Global Atlantic Financial Group in Boston.
