The Malaysian Bar’s International Malaysia Law Conference (“IMLC”) 2026 takes place from 27 to 30 Oct 2026 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur.
By Velary Velayathan, Low & Partners
The session titled “The Role of In-House Counsel in the Current Dynamics of Legal Practice” examined the role of in-house counsel during this exciting time, when rapid technological advancements and evolving client expectations must be addressed without compromising professional integrity, risk management and standards of work. The session was sponsored by Trowers & Hamlins LLP and moderated by Murad Ali b Abdullah, Chair of the Real Estate and Transactions Committee of LAWASIA and Partner at K’Mura & Co. After introducing the panel, Murad Ali b Abdullah guided the discussion through five segments.
The panel brought together four speakers with different vantage points. Geoff Allen, Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, Malaysia, heads the Corporate and Commercial team of the firm’s Kuala Lumpur office and previously held in-house roles in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Razman Hashim is Senior Vice President, Group Legal and Group General Counsel of PETRONAS. Datin Punitha Kandiah is Head, Group Legal — Community Financial Services and Corporate Functions at Maybank, Malaysia. Sudharsanan Thillainathan, Partner at Adnan Sundra & Low, is a litigator, arbitrator and adjudicator.
The first segment touched on the day-to-day working lives of the panellists, which are shaped by cross-border work, the demands of managing large teams and multiple stakeholders, and the pressure of responding swiftly to risks and disputes. For in-house counsel in particular, there is a growing expectation to give clear advice at the leadership table, while those in practice must also balance their legal work with managing people, costs and billing.
The second segment saw the panellists discuss technology and how technological advancements are reshaping and redefining the work of in-house counsel. The panel agreed that artificial intelligence (“AI”) must be embraced but governed. Razman Hashim cautioned that AI must not take over the role of lawyers and that those who do not embrace it risk being left behind. Datin Punitha Kandiah observed that lawyers have always adopted new technology; however, the use of AI demands a governance framework. She stressed that young lawyers must verify their sources so that judgment and accountability remain with the lawyer. Sudharsanan Thillainathan shared how he uses AI to summarise voluminous material and to stress-test arguments, but not to draft submissions. He cautioned the audience that technology should accelerate learning, not replace it. Geoff Allen explained that his firm has subscribed to a collaborative specialised AI platform that shortens document review and helps identify gaps in documents within a secure environment that safeguards client confidentiality.
The third segment touched on the demands of clients in an evolving landscape, where clients would seek the assistance of AI prior to consulting a lawyer. On changing client demands, Datin Punitha Kandiah explained that bank customers now compare products, ask more questions and expect customised solutions, so in-house lawyers must act as business partners from the outset while knowing where to draw the line between legal advice and business decisions. Razman Hashim added that lawyers are part of the team and make decisions together with the business. However, he stressed that one must be courageous to raise risks and propose mitigation measures so that leadership decides on an informed basis. Sudharsanan Thillainathan observed that clients still want competent, trustworthy and responsive lawyers who solve their problems. What has changed is the sharp increase in the number of lawyers, greater price sensitivity among clients, and lawyers who want to stand out from the rest. Staying relevant means delivering results consistently. Geoff Allen described how his firm differentiates itself through an international, cross-border offering, niche areas such as family offices, energy and data centres, secondments, flexible fee arrangements for cost certainty, and regular client feedback.
The fourth segment touched on integrity. Sudharsanan Thillainathan urged young lawyers to accept that there is no shortcut to success and that integrity must hold even under commercial pressure. Geoff Allen highlighted the importance of mandatory anti-money laundering training, regulation by the Bar Council and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and a dedicated risk and compliance team. He recalled how a suspicious telephone call he received while verifying a company’s ownership as a junior lawyer taught him to escalate his doubts. Razman Hashim spoke of compulsory ethics and anti-bribery training across his organisation and a third-party due diligence programme. On whistleblowing, Geoff Allen asked whether a genuine culture of speaking up exists, since policies alone cannot maintain standards unless people feel comfortable to come forward. Datin Punitha Kandiah shared that Maybank maintains a robust whistleblowing channel which receives around 2,000 complaints a year. Each complaint is investigated by the audit committee, although most prove to be internal grievances.
The fifth and final segment turned to the relationship between in-house and external counsel. Geoff Allen described the ideal relationship as one in which external counsel are regarded as an extension of the in-house team, built through face-to-face interactions and knowledge-sharing, and asked clients to be clearer on in-scope and out-of-scope work. The in-house speakers expected candid and strategic advice from external counsel, especially regarding the merits and costs of disputes, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest.
The key takeaways were that AI is merely an aid and not a substitute for professional judgment, that in-house counsel must be business partners without surrendering independence, and that trust and integrity remain the foundation of the profession. Murad Ali b Abdullah closed by urging lawyers to keep sharpening their knowledge and skills, to build character and to live a well-balanced life.
*This article reports on Breakout Session 4, Stream B: Legal Profession and Professional Practice.