Adrian Bae
Attorney At Law
Minato-ku
Summary
Accomplished Executive Director and General Counsel with extensive experience in strategy development and people management. Proven track record of transforming Legal and External Affairs organizations to align with future-focused strategies in regulated industries. Successfully navigated legal, regulatory, and reputational risks across multiple markets. Recognized for exceptional communication skills and effective leadership that motivates and empowers large teams in various locations. Notable achievements include developing numerous heads of legal and external affairs. Highly organized and forward-thinking, dedicated to driving high-performing teams.
Overview
2020
2020
years of professional experience
1995
1995
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Executive Director – Legal, Security, Anti-Illicit Trade, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
3 2008 - 1 2015
- Successful management of strategic litigation/investigations against the Group, including the first-ever health recoupment litigation by National Health Insurance Service of Korea
Senior Commercial Counsel
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
4 2007 - 3 2008
- Established new marketing rules for on-trade activation of tobacco brands which became the industry benchmark
General Counsel and Area Head of External Affairs, APMEA North
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
09.2019 - 6 2024
- Led a team of 50+ people in Japan, Korea and Greater China locations plus global duty free business
- Supported creation of global new-to-world strategies, driving rapid expansion of the company's "harm reduction" vision that benefits society and consumers at large.
- Defended against government prosecutions and investigations
- Conducted senior political engagement in both Japan and Korea to drive regulatory reforms
- Established security and anti-illicit trade protocols in North Asian markets.
- Sponsored the group's compliance and governance framework and related programs in North Asian markets
- Designed and launched the first-ever "agile" model for Area Legal function
- Managed litigation strategy to successfully resolve high-stakes disputes with minimal financial impact.
Group Head of Legal – IDT, Operations and R&D
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
12.2017 - 09.2019
- Transformed commercial legal strategy with global coverage and shared services model - Project Bright - generated 15% saving in labour cost while increasing the effective coverage.
- Managed a team of legal professionals located in London, Southampton and Kuala Lumpur, providing one-stop legal services to relevant global functions
- Played a leadership role for relevant global functions - membership in Group IDT leadership
- Revamped the Group's contract management system
Head of Legal and External Affairs, Korea-Taiwan Cluster
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
01.2015 - 12.2017
- Successful management of hostile regulatory reform attempts by the government and various litigations and investigations in cluster markets, including anti-trust and the first-ever health recoupment case in North Asia.
- Advised executive leadership of BAT North Asia on legal implications of strategic marketing decisions, promoting sound decision-making practices in a highly regulated market/industry.
Legal Counsel and Registered Director
Diageo PLC
09.2005 - 03.2007
- Led major projects impacting Diageo's business foot print in the two most strategic markets in Asia, including re-negotiation of the Guinness Manufacturing and Distribution agreement for Japan with a major source change (Sapporo to Kirin) and; restructuring of whole sale market and various distribution channels for Diageo's strategic brands in Korea and Japan.
- Developed and launched the first series of corporate governance policies and best practices in Korea and Japan, contributing to a strong culture of ethical conduct and accountability.
Associate
Kim, Shin & Yu (currently Yoon & Yang LLC)
08.2001 - 09.2005
- Represented multinational clients with various corporate advisory work, including but not limited to: in-bound M&A deals, international arbitrations in and outside Korea, syndicated loan/financing deals, as well as advising on all aspects of direct foreign investment and related regulatory issues.
Litigation Associate
Feller Drysdale
04.2000 - 09.2001
- Civil and criminal trials and other court appearances in provincial courts and BC Supreme Courts
Summer law clerk
The Federal Court of Canada
05.1999 - 08.1999
- Drafted Reasons for Orders in maritime insurance cases, IP cases and environment assessment disputes.
- Conducted extensive research on relevant statutes, regulations, case law, and industry best practices to support the Canadian federal judiciary.
Education
Admitted as Barrister and Solicitor of the Province of British Columbia and the Federal Courts of Canada -
The Law Society of British Columbia, Canada
J.D. - Law
The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada 04.2001 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Human Biology (Pharmacology And Toxicology)
The University of Toronto (Trinity College) (Toronto, Canada)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 04.2001 - 01.1996
Skills
Staff Management
Budgeting and financial management
Project Management
Strategic Planning
Crisis Management
Compliance and regulations
Media Relations
Government relations
Negotiation
Awards
- Thomson Reuters ALB Japan Law Awards Judge, 2023-2024, Judge for best in-house legal team categories
- The British Columbia Law Foundation Entrance Scholarship, 1997, Full tuition scholarship based on merit for new students
Nameinnativelanguage
배윤석
Affiliations
Thomson Reuters ALB - Best Law Firm in Japan Awards Judge (2023-2024)
Timeline
General Counsel and Area Head of External Affairs, APMEA North
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
09.2019 - 6 2024
Group Head of Legal – IDT, Operations and R&D
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
12.2017 - 09.2019
Head of Legal and External Affairs, Korea-Taiwan Cluster
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
01.2015 - 12.2017
Legal Counsel and Registered Director
Diageo PLC
09.2005 - 03.2007
Associate
Kim, Shin & Yu (currently Yoon & Yang LLC)
08.2001 - 09.2005
J.D. - Law
The University of British Columbia
04.2001 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Human Biology (Pharmacology And Toxicology)
The University of Toronto (Trinity College) (Toronto, Canada)
04.2001 - 01.1996
Litigation Associate
Feller Drysdale
04.2000 - 09.2001
Summer law clerk
The Federal Court of Canada
05.1999 - 08.1999
Executive Director – Legal, Security, Anti-Illicit Trade, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
3 2008 - 1 2015
Senior Commercial Counsel
BAT PLC (formerly BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO)
4 2007 - 3 2008
Admitted as Barrister and Solicitor of the Province of British Columbia and the Federal Courts of Canada -
The Law Society of British Columbia, Canada
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