Jisun Nam, head of legal at Hanmi Pharmaceutical, one of ALB Asia's Top 15 In-House Teams, emphasized the growing significance of in-house legal teams in today's business environment. With the increasing complexity of regulations and legal frameworks across different countries in the region, in-house legal teams have a crucial role to play in decision-making and risk management, thereby assuming a strategic position.

Congratulations on being recognized as one of Asia’s Top 15 In-house Legal Teams! What would you say sets your team apart and contributed to this achievement?

It is truly an honour to have our team’s passion and efforts recognized. Our legal team values the importance of understanding the regulatory environment and business surrounding the company, because the regulations of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry in Korea are quite complicated, and what Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group wants to do in this industry is very progressive. We communicate and collaborate closely with the business departments to ensure that the company’s needs are well represented, although this takes much time. I believe that our continuous efforts in exploring various areas of the legal team while standardizing routine tasks have greatly contributed to our achievement.

How do you foster a collaborative and cohesive environment within your legal team?

Our team consists of innovative and creative individuals with a young mindset. Collaborating on various legal issues, discussing, researching, and organizing solutions greatly contributes to the team’s cohesion and strategic direction.

In many legal matters, accurately grasping the facts and identifying weaknesses in advance is crucial for successful resolution. To effectively address these points as a legal advising team in the company, an environment of open discussions and trust is required. Within our team, we respect each one’s abilities and strengths, promote open communication, foster trust, and build collaborative skills among team members. Furthermore, having opportunities for team members to play substantial roles in critical company projects, participate in task force teams that address overarching issues, and organize educational and collaborative sessions with other relevant depart-ments actively reinforces the understanding that greater accomplishments can be achieved through collaboration with different people and teams.

Looking ahead, what are your priorities and goals for the future of the in-house legal department?

In an era when legal compliance is emphasized, the in-house legal department has become an essential organization within the company. As a reliable advisor for the management and colleagues, our goal is to proactively prevent risks, be prepared for potential challenges, and intelligently handle any arising issues.

Hanmi Pharm is committed to tenacious efforts in new drug development and contributing to the growth of the pharmaceutical and health-care industry in Korea. To achieve sustainable development, we will focus on getting ready for changes in industrial policies and addressing environmental issues.