-Life as a Corporate General Counsel and Executive Officer–
When considering global enterprise and what specific corporations do, it is easy to get fixated on the basic service or product they provide. Nike makes shoes. Amazon operates an online marketplace service. Microsoft makes software.
However, we all know that such global conglomerates are involved in more— much more as far as operations and services go.
Take a company like Panasonic for example. It has over 260,000 employees and roughly 580 subsidiaries around the world involved in the production and selling of a wide range of products and services including air conditioners, refrigerators, lighting, televisions, personal computers, mobile phones, audio equipment, cameras, broadcasting equipment, semiconductors, lithium batteries, bicycles, and so on.
Keeping a multi-national corporation like that on track and aligned is no simple task. It requires a certain degree of sophistication involving effective governance and strategy.
To add to the complexity is the fact that these companies exist in markets that are themselves in a constant state of their own flux as driven by hyper-connected economies.
Within the last several years, it is this last point which has driven corporations to innovate and adapt, as far as finding more effective ways to navigate this ever- changing landscape.
What have they done you ask? What has been their proverbial ace in the hole to handle all of this? Without question, part of the answer surely lies with the enhanced role of corporate general counsel, as well as a larger voice from legal and compliance experts.
Now, it is rare to get a peek into how such a mechanism exercises itself and extends influence in a major multi-national corporation, however our esteemed guest today will provide all of that and I suspect much more!
Introducing
Larry Bates has provided legal counsel for over three decades to some of the largest business entities in Japan. He has held executive level positions at General Electric and the Lixil Group Corp., over that time.
Most recently he served as managing executive officer, general counsel, chief risk management officer and chief compliance officer for Panasonic Corp. A position and role in which he was the first appointed non-Japanese board member in the company’s illustrious history.
Skills & Background
Laurence’s impressive communicative skills, that being fluency in both Mandarin Chinese and Japanese coupled with a stellar educational background with degrees from Yale University and Harvard Law School, set Laurence on a path not many have trailblazed through.
Accomplishments
Laurence’s deep knowledge, awareness and passion relating to legal and compliance issues has helped bring those issues to the forefront of the companies he has served within.
In fact, in one case, this recognition amounted to a rare act within a listed Japanese company, that being the establishment of a new executive position centred on legal and compliance issues, of which Larry was naturally appointed to.
Additional Professional Activity
Outside of his corporate career, Laurence has also been active in many other respects. He has taught International Economic Law on the Faculty of Law at Tokyo University and has been an active member of the Tokyo expat community, holding the presidency of the (ACCJ) American Chamber of Commerce of Japan in 2013.
Laurence has also engaged with the Japan-based Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network to promote marriage equality in Japan, the only country in the G7 that does not fully recognize same-sex partnerships.
Reasons to Listen
In Larry’s illustrious career spanning time within both global markets and inside major multinationals, his wisdom filled takes will be a treat for those wishing to learn more about the legal sector on such scale.
Additionally, Larry so kindly speaks about the intersection between the professional and personal side of life through his noting and mentioning of his family, including his husband and what it was like coming out whilst managing his career.
That segment unto itself, may offer a certain level of inspiration for many.
You’ll also hear about many of his other views and opinions on law as a whole, as well as the rising level of importance of legal and compliance matters moving forward. It’s a wide ranging talk that will surely satisfy any curious minded listener.
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
“I have to say that I have always been passionate and positive about my work. Ultimately those elements reinforce your ability to succeed when you’re talking about tough subjects and investments that have to be made.”
Larry Bates
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to view the full video conversation of this discussion on Life as as Corporate General Counsel and Executive Officer, you can do so via Youtube.
Words of Wisdom:
Hear from Larry as he shares advice to those looking to step into the world of international law.
Discover More
For those interested in learning more about Larry and his work, you can find and connect with him through the following social platforms:
Keep Listening!
I hope you enjoyed the episode. For more, check out additional episodes here!
