Summary
Dynamic legal professional with extensive experience at TotalEnergies Trading Asia, specializing in contract drafting and negotiation. Proven track record in mitigating legal risks and enhancing corporate governance. Adept at legal research and analysis, fostering collaboration across teams to drive strategic initiatives and support successful business transactions.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Counsel - Contracts
TotalEnergies Trading Asia Pte. Ltd.
10.2021 - Current
- Advised on compliance with local and international regulations affecting trading operations.
- Drafted and reviewed term contracts and storage to mitigate legal risks and ensure alignment with corporate policies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address legal issues impacting business strategy and execution.
- Conducted legal research to support decision-making processes regarding trading activities and ventures.
- Provided expert legal advice on complex matters for informed decision-making and risk mitigation.
- Support Trading Operations team in trouble shooting day-to-day logistics and cargo operations issues.
Legal Counsel
ExxonMobil Cepu Limited
09.2019 - 08.2021
- Provided expert legal advice on corporate governance and regulatory matters to senior management.
- Drafted clear and concise contracts that protected the company''s interests while facilitating successful business transactions.
- Negotiated contract terms with external stakeholders, enhancing clarity and reducing potential liabilities.
- Participated in policy discussions to help shape legislative proposals affecting the company''s industry from a legal perspective through the Industry Association.
- Conducted thorough legal research to support complex litigation cases and strategic initiatives.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g. tax, financial controllers, HSE and operations) to develop risk mitigation strategies for business operations.
- Supported M&A activities by conducting due diligence and assessing legal risks associated with transactions.
Corporate Legal Manager
APRIL Indonesia (the Pulp and Paper Arm of RGE Group)
05.2018 - 08.2019
- A lateral move within RGE group to temporarily support the pulp and paper arm in Indonesia.
- Mentored junior legal staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align legal strategies with organizational objectives and business goals.
- Analyzed emerging regulations, advising leadership on potential impacts and necessary adjustments to company policies.
- Drafted and negotiated service level agreements to ensure smooth operations within the group, support the finance team in negotiating facility agreement with external banks.
Legal Manager
RGE Pte Ltd and Pacific Oil & Gas Pte. Ltd. (the Energy Arm of RGE Group)
12.2014 - 05.2018
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on strategic projects, providing expert guidance on legal matters and risk mitigation strategies. In particular support the commercial and project team to prepare tender documents (including the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract and Front End Engineering Design contract) to appoint the FEED and EPC contractor to develop the mid size LNG plant of the group in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.
- Conducted due diligence investigations for mergers and acquisitions, identifying potential risks and ensuring smooth transactions on a potential acquisition of majority shares in a public listed company in Indonesia that own infrastructure of water management, toll road and telecommunication. This internal due diligence managed to save the group external legal counsel costs of approximately USD 40K.
- Support the VP Legal in managing several RGE group's arbitration matters with external counsel involving RGE group's shipping arms on claims relating to cargo disputes with total estimate claim of USD300,000 and shipbuilding contract disputes with total estimate claim amounts of USD 1 Million.
- Support the VP legal in managing the legal department's annual budget (approx S$ 1 Million in the year 2016-2018)
Assistant Legal Manager
DDW-PaxOean Asia Pte. Ltd.
11.2008 - 11.2014
- Support commercial and project team in drafting, reviewing and negotiating various shipbuilding and rig construction contracts on behalf of the company with clients from Europe, US, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Middle East and India to optimize the terms and align with the company's objectives and risk tolerance.
- Developed and implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential legal issues impacting operations.
- Advised senior management on contractual obligations, facilitating informed decision-making on business transactions.
- Support the company's shipping arm in preparing and negotiating BIMCO Bareboat and Time charter-parties with charterers from various jurisdictions.
- Manage the company's arbitration case with the support of external counsel on claim for damages due to breach of ship design contract by the designer where the arbitration was concluded with the company being awarded a quantum of SGD320K.
- Support the management in reaching commercial settlement in the midst of arbitration proceeding brought against one of the company's subsidiary for dispute on warranty claim of approx SGD 1 million.
- Successfully helped one of the company's subsidiary in Indonesia lifting the bankruptcy claim brought against it at the Indonesian commercial court through reaching a debt settlement agreement with the subsidiary's various creditors. This success prevented the group of losing the subsidiary which at that point in time (in 2012-2013 has net worth of approx USD 33 million.
- Manages the legal department's annual budget (approx SGD800K annually).
Associate Lawyer
Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung (Indonesia Associate Firm of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramers LLP)
06.2005 - 10.2008
- Support the transaction partner in developing comprehensive legal strategies tailored to client needs, enhancing case outcomes in various M&A transactions, including preparing legal due diligence report and drafting transaction documents. Notable projects: (i) represented Credit Suisse in the IPO of PT Sampoerna Agro Tbk at the Indonesia Stock Exchange, (ii) represented CLSA Equity Capital Market in the IPO of PT Total Bangun Persada Tbk, (iii) represented Mitsubishi Corporation for an indirect acquisition of share interest in PT Medco Energi International TBK, (iv) represented Citic Resources in the acquisition of Seram Island PSC; and (v) represented OCBC Singapore on its secured loan facility agreement to International Marine Service Pte Ltd.
- Conducted extensive legal research to support case arguments and provide accurate counsel.
- Mentored junior associates, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance.
Associate Lawyer
Thamrin & Rachman Law Firm
01.2003 - 05.2005
- Created and finalized contracts and other legal documents for clients on corporate law, capital market law, and construction law matters.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Conducted extensive legal research to support case arguments and provide accurate counsel.
- Support the managing partner in representing PT Medco Power Indonesia in negotiating Operation & Maintenance Agreement to operate Tanjung Jati B Power Plant with PT PLN Persero.
- Team member in representing PT Mitra Energi Batam for IDR 195,000,000 financing from PT Bank Central Asia Tbk.
- Team member in representing PT Sumber Segara Primadaya on the negotiation of Power Purchase Agreement with PT PLN Persero for the Cilacap 2X 300 MW Coal Fired Power Plant.
Education
Masters of Law (LL.M) - International Business Law
12-2002
Subjects taken: Law on Credit & Security, International Trade Law, Legal Aspect of International Finance, and Law of Finance and Foreign Investment in Emerging Countries
Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) - Commercial Laws
08-2000
Subjects Taken: Contract & Tort Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Civil Law, Civil Procedural Law, Criminal Procedural Law, Company Law, Insurance Law, Banking Law, Commercial Law, Basic Principle of Philosophy, Administrative Law and Islamic Law.
Skills
- Contract drafting
- Corporate transactions
- Legal writing
- Negotiation
- Creative and critical thinking
- Commercial contracts
- Legal research and review
- Legal analysis
- Case file management
Additional Information
IT Skills: MS Office (Words, Excel and Power Point).
Short Courses:
- London School of Economics MBA Essential Course (June - August 2025) with the following modules: Economics for Managers, Competitive Strategy, Corporate Strategy, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Analyzing Financial Statements, Influence techniques, Nudging Behaviour and Organizational Culture as a Leadership Tool.
- Marketing Institute of Singapore (2012) - Finance for Non Finance Professionals.
Sponsorship:
-Full Sponsorship from International Bar Association as a young lawyer to participate at the International Bar Association Annual Conference in Auckland, New Zealand (2004)
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Elementary (A2)
Timeline
Legal Counsel - Contracts - TotalEnergies Trading Asia Pte. Ltd.
10.2021 - Current
Legal Counsel - ExxonMobil Cepu Limited
09.2019 - 08.2021
Corporate Legal Manager - APRIL Indonesia (the Pulp and Paper Arm of RGE Group)
05.2018 - 08.2019
Legal Manager - RGE Pte Ltd and Pacific Oil & Gas Pte. Ltd. (the Energy Arm of RGE Group)
12.2014 - 05.2018
Assistant Legal Manager - DDW-PaxOean Asia Pte. Ltd.
11.2008 - 11.2014
Associate Lawyer - Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung (Indonesia Associate Firm of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramers LLP)
06.2005 - 10.2008
Associate Lawyer - Thamrin & Rachman Law Firm
01.2003 - 05.2005
Queen Mary College, University of London - Masters of Law (LL.M), International Business Law
University of Indonesia - Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB), Commercial Laws