Legal Counsel (TPSRM)

Owned by Steven Piliero
Last updated: May 21, 2024
2 min read

Name: Benjamin "Ben" Nguyen

Age: 48

Education: J.D. from Stanford Law School, B.A. in Political Science from Yale University

Professional Background:

  • 20+ years of corporate law experience, focusing on contract law, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.

  • Focus areas: Drafting and negotiating complex contracts, advising on legal and regulatory risks associated with third-party relationships, and providing legal support for procurement and vendor management activities.

  • Previous roles: Senior Counsel at a multinational technology company, Partner at a law firm specializing in commercial transactions, Legal Counsel at a government agency.

  • Special certifications or skills: Member of the state bar association, Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)

Industry: Varies depending on the organization's focus

Responsibilities:

  • Provide legal counsel and guidance on all aspects of third-party and supply-chain risk management.

  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers, ensuring they include appropriate risk mitigation clauses and protections.

  • Advise on legal and regulatory requirements related to vendor selection, onboarding, and ongoing management.

  • Support the organization's due diligence process by reviewing vendor contracts, policies, and procedures.

  • Represent the organization in legal disputes or negotiations with vendors and suppliers.

Goals:

  • Ensure that the organization's contracts with third parties are legally sound and protect the organization's interests.

  • Mitigate legal and regulatory risks associated with third-party relationships.

  • Provide timely and accurate legal advice to support the organization's procurement and vendor management activities.

  • Build a strong reputation as a trusted legal advisor within the organization.

Challenges:

  • Keeping up with the ever-changing regulatory landscape and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

  • Balancing the need for legal protections with the need for business flexibility and efficiency.

  • Negotiating complex contracts with sophisticated vendors and suppliers.

  • Manage legal disputes and resolve conflicts in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Motivations:

  • Using legal expertise to protect the organization's interests and mitigate risks.

  • Contributing to the organization's success by ensuring sound legal and contractual frameworks for third-party relationships.

  • Develop a fulfilling career in corporate law and become a recognized expert in third-party risk management.

Tech-Savviness:

  • Comfortable using legal research databases, contract management software, and collaboration tools.

  • Increasingly aware of the importance of technology in legal practice, such as e-discovery and legal analytics.

  • Open to exploring new technologies that streamline legal processes and improve efficiency.

Behavioral Traits:

  • Detail-oriented and methodical, with strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

  • Excellent communicator and negotiator, able to build rapport and trust with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Risk-averse and proactive in identifying and addressing potential legal issues.

  • Ethical and principled, strongly committed to upholding the law and professional standards.

Sources of Information:

  • Legal databases (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw)

  • Industry-specific legal publications and newsletters.

  • Regulatory updates and guidance from relevant agencies.

  • Networking with other legal professionals and attending industry events.

Quote:

"My role is to ensure that our organization's third-party relationships are built on a solid legal foundation that protects our interests, mitigates risks, and enables us to achieve our business objectives."