Navigating Legal Frontiers

Tina Ooi holds over 25 years of experience in governance roles across diverse industries and brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She previously held positions as general counsel and company secretary at ME Bank, and has also been involved in senior legal and regulatory roles at Equity Trustees, Alinta Energy and Freehills. Ooi holds bachelors in Law and Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

Journey from Litigation to Commercial Law

My career began as a litigator at Freehills but soon realized that my true passion was elsewhere. I transitioned to a commercial role within the firm and then moved in-house with an energy company. This shift opened my eyes to the dynamic role of a lawyer within an organization, far more engaging than being detached in a law firm. I progressed through the energy sector before exploring financial services.

As most of my career bucket list checked off, I was on the lookout for a new adventure—and I found it at Superloop. I stepped into the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary three years ago, and in the past 18 months, my role has expanded to encompass people and culture, risk management, compliance and workplace health and safety. This variety keeps me invigorated, as I thrive on juggling diverse responsibilities and embracing a wide range of challenges rather than focusing on just one area.

Adapting to Changing Standards

I have worked in both financial services and energy sectors, bringing a distinctive perspective to the telecommunications industry. While telecommunications has historically faced less regulation than other industries, this is swiftly evolving. Governments are increasingly focusing on consumer protection, data privacy and cybersecurity, particularly following major data breaches in the sector. At Superloop, we are well-positioned to navigate these evolving regulations. Through access to cutting-edge technology and a solid grasp of compliance requirements, our team is ready to adapt to these new standards and continue leading in best practices.

From Pitfalls to Possibilities

As a lawyer, I often find myself discussing risk because it is a universal business language. However, it is crucial to remember that risk isn't always a negative thing sometimes it can be about spotting opportunities, what we call "upside risk." When prioritizing risks, it is crucial to focus on their potential impact. Consider how significant the consequences will be if a risk becomes reality. This possible impact should be our guiding star in determining which threats to address first.

At Superloop, we have a vigorous risk management framework with clear criteria for evaluating risk, probability and consequences, along with defined escalation paths. I also value intuition in decision-making. Even with thorough analysis, my gut feeling often aligns with the outcome. While it shouldn’t be the sole factor in decisions, trusting your instincts can be surprisingly accurate.

Walking in Client's Shoes

In my experience working with key stakeholders, my guiding principle is empathy. I strive to understand perspectives, interests and emotions, evaluating their knowledge about the issues at hand. When commercially viable, I focus on elevating the client’s understanding by recognizing that stakeholders often have opinions rooted in incomplete information. We aim for transparency and work to address disagreements by peeling back layers to identify the core differences. My goal is to align views as closely as possible, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.

The Challenge of Keeping Up

I think the biggest challenge in law right now, and for quite some time, is keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change. The speed at which technology evolves is staggering, comparable to the shift we saw during the industrial revolution. Legislatures struggle to regulate effectively because laws that are too broad quickly become outdated, while overly specific regulations can become irrelevant almost as fast as they are enacted. I genuinely sympathize with lawmakers trying to grasp the complexities of new technologies and set minimum standards. It is a tough task to stay ahead in such a fast-moving field.

Sustainability in Law

I advise my fellow peers and aspiring professionals to play the long game. I have seen too many young lawyers give up too soon, and I wish to sit down with each of them to understand why. You have invested years of hard work and dedication into studying law, and it often takes time to fully understand what it means to be a lawyer. Sometimes, it is only after a few years of practice that the true essence of the profession becomes clear. If the first setting you try isn’t a perfect fit, don’t be quick to walk away. Explore other environments, like moving from a law firm to an in-house role.

For those already in the field, it is essential to focus on making your career sustainable. It is easy to overwork yourself and not notice it until you are burnt out. Just like a frog that doesn’t realize the water is heating up, many lawyers don’t notice the gradual increase in stress. It is crucial to manage your workload and well-being to ensure a fulfilling and long-term career.