The legal profession in Singapore is undergoing rapid transformation, and so are the expectations of General Counsel (GCs). In 2025, legal advice alone is not sufficient as GCs are now business partners, risk managers, compliance strategists, and digital transformation champions, all while juggling leaner teams and tighter budgets.

To remain relevant and valuable partners, private practice lawyers must evolve in tandem with their clients. This article unpacks what GCs in 2025 want from their external counsel, and how you can step up to meet those expectations. 

1. ESG & Compliance: From Optional to Essential 

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is no longer a tick-in-the-box exercise, as it is a strategic priority with real business impact.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has made sustainability reporting compulsory for its listed companies, and GCs in Singapore are leading the charge in integrating ESG frameworks into business operations, as they increasingly turn to external counsel to assist in:

• Interpreting and implementing ESG reporting standards, such as those aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
• Advising on ethical supply chain obligations across Southeast Asia, where variations in labour laws, environmental regulations, and enforcement capacity present nuanced compliance challenges.
• Drafting or revising board charters, governance policies, and risk matrices to reflect evolving ESG demands and material metrics such as emissions, waste management, and resource usage.
• Mapping regulatory exposure in complex and emerging areas like green finance, carbon markets, and climate-related litigation, all of which require legal foresight and cross-sector understanding.

Lawyers who bring both legal depth and commercial ESG insight will find themselves indispensable.

2. Tech-Savvy Counsel: Partnering in Legal Innovation

GCs are under pressure to run departments like high-performing business units.

Legal tech adoption, especially generative AI and data analytics, is accelerating, reflected in a global study by Axiom, which found that 38% of decisions in legal departments are now AI-influenced. However, GCs lament that 70% of their teams lack the necessary AI skills training. 

Additionally, the rapidly spreading influence of AI technology across sectors means that GCs must confront more complex compliance requirements and ethical considerations. This includes staying ahead of evolving regulatory frameworks, such as AI governance guidelines, data privacy obligations, and algorithmic accountability. 

GCs are increasingly relying on their private practice partners for legal interpretation, risk management, and the intersection of AI with existing laws in areas like employment, intellectual property (IP) rights, and consumer protection.

There is also the challenge of balancing AI capabilities with human expertise, and identifying the most effective ways to integrate technological tools with professional judgment.

For private practice lawyers, fluency in GenAI tools and tech-enabled workflows such as APIs and automated workflows, the ability to navigate legal risks and ethics of AI adoption, and a readiness to collaborate on shared platforms, dashboards, and real-time tools are ways to become a valuable partner in 2025.  

3. Management of Cross-Border Complexities: Counsel Beyond Borders

As regional headquarters for many multinational companies, Singapore-based legal departments are increasingly responsible for managing legal and regulatory risks across diverse markets. 

GCs are not only expected to ensure compliance within Singapore’s jurisdiction but also to lead on legal strategy and governance throughout Southeast Asia and even internationally. 

Private practice lawyers must offer:

• Strategic advice grounded in regional legal fluency.
• Guidance on navigating different legal systems, regulatory landscapes, and cross-border tensions.
• A proactive mindset in anticipating how global developments like data sovereignty laws, trade disruptions, or geopolitical tensions could impact regional operations.

The ability to draw connections between varied regulatory landscapes will allow private practice lawyers to assist GCs in developing compliant and consistent cross-border frameworks.

Additionally, cross-border legal risk has become more volatile due to trade tensions, shifting data sovereignty laws, and supply chain disruptions. Unpredictable tariffs and sanctions from the U.S. government alongside major conflicts in Europe and the Middle East are making global markets more vulnerable than ever. 

Your value lies in being able to connect the dots across borders, helping GCs build compliant, consistent legal frameworks in a complex global environment.

How Can You Stay Ahead: Upskilling for 2025

GCs in Singapore are not just looking for smart legal minds; they want trusted partners who understand the big picture. To meet the expectations, SAL provides support with the following resources:

ESG Regulations and Sustainability Law

As ESG issues move to the top of boardroom agendas, external counsel must grasp the legal implications of environmental disclosures, sustainable finance instruments, ethical sourcing policies, and cross-border sustainability compliance.

• Learn With SAL: Integrating ESG into Corporate Governance and Compliance 

This course equips in-house counsel and private practitioners with a practical understanding of ESG and sustainability concepts, focusing on how to integrate them into corporate policies and strategies. By the end, participants will be able to provide commercially sound legal advice aligned with ESG principles, particularly in the context of corporate governance.

Learn more about this course here. 

Legal Tech Fluency, Including Generative AI

Digital transformation is reshaping how legal services are delivered. Private practice lawyers who can leverage tools such as generative AI, contract review platforms, API integrations, and digital dashboards can offer more responsive and efficient support to in-house teams. GCs now value external lawyers who are tech-literate and willing to collaborate through shared platforms.

• Learn With SAL: Legal Innovation Workshop

This course explores legal innovation through design thinking, process re-engineering, digital transformation, and Legal GenAI. It features case studies from Singapore and beyond, examines the capabilities and limits of legal tech, and addresses the ethical considerations of innovation in legal practice. 

Learn more about this course here.

Sector-Specific Knowledge

Different industries face vastly different regulatory landscapes and business pressures. Whether it is’s understanding compliance in pharmaceuticals, licensing in fintech, or liability in logistics, industry familiarity can elevate legal advice from adequate to exceptional.

Consider keeping abreast of key developments in your client’s sectors by attending legal updates, joining interdisciplinary forums, or reading trade-specific commentary.

You can also browse the Singapore Academy of Law’s catalogue of available publications to find relevant texts that will help you stay informed. 

We also welcome you to stay updated on our upcoming courses, workshops, webinars, and more on SAL’s 2025 Event Calendar. 

Be the Counsel GCs Count On

Private practice lawyers who combine legal excellence with business insight, tech fluency, and regional awareness will be the ones GCs turn to. By sharpening your understanding of ESG, legal innovation, sector-specific regulations, and more, you can position yourself as a trusted, go-to legal advisor for GCs in Singapore. 

At SAL, our resources are designed to support your evolution as a legal professional. 

Whether you are strengthening your grasp on legal tech or deepening your understanding of corporate governance, we are here to help you meet the expectations of the modern legal landscape. 

Contact us today to find out more about member-exclusive benefits.

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