Legal Counsel, APAC

Job Location : Shanghai

Basic Function

This role provides legal support to various business operations across APAC region with a focus in China. The role will support a broad range of commercial, operational, and project-related businesses including, procurement, technology business, polymers, joint venture etc. and support strategic initiatives and corporate governance matters.  This position is ideally designed for an early-career legal professional capable of independently managing day-to-day legal matters while working closely with senior lawyers on regional projects, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and dispute matters as required. It offers broad exposure to cross-border legal issues, multinational operations and stakeholder management across the APAC region.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Review, draft and negotiate procurement related agreements, provide business savvy solutions and legal advice to Procurement and business stakeholders across APAC
• Monitor the APAC Procurement Contracting Platform, including working closely with APAC Paralegals, Global Legal Team and Procurement stakeholders to ensure effective contract governance and compliance, develop and enhance the Platform, review and improve contract templates, playbooks, contract processes and other tools to drive efficiency, risk management and consistency.
• Provide legal support to Catalyst business on a broad range of commercial and strategic matters, including contract review and negotiation, risk assessment and support of business growth initiatives.
• Work closely with senior counsel to support APAC O&P business and China licensing business.  Responsibilities include reviewing, drafting and negotiating various commercial contracts and technology licenses and contracts (e.g. NDA, Licensing Contract, Technical Service Contract), advising stakeholders throughout the licensing lifecycle, identifying gaps and providing trainings and coordinating with Global Legal Team to enhance and adapt templates, processes and documentation to meet evolving business needs in the region.
• Work closely with APAC Paralegals to support corporate governance, contract and entity management in China, including corporate restructurings, governance reviews and help ensure effective record management and the consistent implementation of PRC governance guidelines and requirements.
• Support other APAC team members on legal matters across the region as required.

Job Specifications

Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in law.
• Qualified lawyer in China or other recognized jurisdiction.
• 3 to 5 years of post-qualification experience   
• Prior in-house experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Experience supporting regional or cross-border matters is highly desirable.

Competency

• Fluent in both written and spoken English and Chinese with the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across the APAC region.
• Comfortable working in a multicultural and matrixed environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented and eager to learn with the ability to manage priorities and deadlines.

Preferred requirement

• Law qualification in a common law jurisdiction is desirable.  
• Immediate or short-notice availability is preferred.

Competencies