In the ever-changing world of business leadership, true leaders distinguish themselves through their outstanding accomplishments, strategic expertise, and substantial influence within their respective fields. As we enter the second half of 2024, our attention is focused on a chosen cohort of visionary businesswomen who are primed to leave a notable mark on their industries. Denise Jong, Corporate Partner at Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP, is a highly regarded corporate lawyer based in Hong Kong.
Denise has built a distinguished career spanning more than thirty years, having been made a partner at the age of thirty and establishing herself as a pioneering figure in corporate transactions and legal advisory services across Greater China and Southeast Asia. Serving as a member of Reed Smith’s Executive Committee and having previously held other key leadership positions within the firm, Denise has significantly influenced the legal landscape.
Maintaining Stability and Profitability
Denise’s journey at the firm began at Richards Butler in London, where she commenced as a trainee. After qualifying in 1993, she relocated to Richards Butler in Hong Kong where she rose to the position of partner. Her tenure extended through the firm’s merger with Reed Smith in 2008, and she continues to serve in this capacity today.
Denise fosters a culture where team members embrace innovation and calculated risk-taking. She communicates the benefits of stepping out of her comfort zone and emphasizes perseverance in the face of setbacks. Denise believes that successful innovation requires collective effort and resilience from the entire team, driving long-term growth and profitability.
Vision of Collective Leadership
Denise views leadership as empowering the entire team to shine collectively, transcending personal achievements. She believes in recognizing and harnessing each member’s unique talents to create a collaborative environment where everyone can flourish. Denise’s leadership style focuses on elevating the team as a whole, driving collective success through collaboration and support. Her leadership philosophy is to be nice whenever possible but at the same time, one has to be honest and empathetic.
With approximately 3,000 personnel spread across more than 30 offices globally, boasting over 1,600 attorneys across three continents, Reed Smith ranks among the top 30 largest global law firms based on lawyer headcount. The company offers comprehensive transactional and litigation support, often in cross-border scenarios. Serving as advisors to prominent international entities ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises, the company consistently accompanies clients into jurisdictions relevant to their business operations.
Empowering Clients Worldwide
Denise and her team at Reed Smith are committed to driving their clients’ businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative approach, they provide legal services that yield smarter, more creative solutions. Leveraging deep industry knowledge and fostering collaborative relationships, they excel in handling complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
Reaching across the globe, Reed Smith’s 31 offices span four key regions: 18 in the US, 9 in Europe and the Middle East, and 4 in Asia. In addition to the firm’s physical presence, Reed Smith has regional business teams covering Africa, Australia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Latin America, and Nordic countries, bringing together lawyers across the firm with a depth of experience and an established network of local counsel in advising clients operating or investing in specific geographic markets.
Its industry-focused and practice group approach enables Reed Smith to cater to diverse client needs comprehensively. By staying attuned to industry trends, it anticipates client needs and delivers proactive solutions. Its impressive client portfolio includes 60 of the world’s 100 largest companies, the top 10 banks in the US, EU, and UK, and leaders in various sectors such as life sciences, healthcare, shipping, finance, and chemicals.
Resilience in Adversity
Managing the business and team’s well-being throughout COVID-19 was Denise’s most significant challenge in her entire career. However, amidst the crisis, the true highlight for her wasn’t the adversity itself. Instead, it was witnessing the profound impact of years of partnership, which translated into a relentless determination to navigate through the pandemic together.
Denise observed the sense of partnership unfolding on a global scale. In January and February 2020, colleagues in the US were sourcing masks and sanitizer for Asian offices, demonstrating solidarity across borders. By April and May 2020, the Hong Kong office had shipped 70,000 masks to all their offices globally, including those in the US and Europe. These actions showcased genuine care for one another, underscoring the strength of the firm’s culture during tough times.
The Global Footprint
Denise completed her articles/training contract in September 1993 with Richards Butler London. During that period, the lingering effects of the recession, marked by interest rates peaking at about 15% in 1989/1990, cast a shadow of uncertainty over job security. This environment posed a significant challenge for Denise as she embarked on her professional journey.
Reed Smith expanded globally through several key mergers. Their first merger outside the US was with Warner Cranston in the UK in 2001. Significant growth followed with mergers including Crosby Heafy in California in 2003 and Richards Butler in EME in 2007. The establishment of Reed Smith in Asia completed its transformation into a global law firm after merging with Richards Butler Hong Kong in 2008.
To take the firm one step further, according to Denise, it is important to support the client’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. This will encourage the company to further engage in pro bono work and continue to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. It highlights the significance of aligning with ethical standards, giving back to the community, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
Client-Centric Approach
Denise advises prioritizing flexibility and responsiveness in client relationships and business strategies. By actively listening to clients, businesses can tailor solutions to meet their evolving needs, rather than sticking to rigid plans. She warns against stubbornness and encourages businesses to remain open-minded, adapt to changing circumstances, and reassess strategies based on new information or market dynamics. Ultimately, she believes that adaptability is essential for staying competitive and achieving long-term success in a dynamic business landscape.
Shaping Legal Landscape
Denise believes that a lawyer’s sense of accomplishment is closely linked to the firm’s ability to effectively address a client’s requirements. She acknowledges that in today’s geopolitical landscape, client needs can manifest in various forms. Denise takes pride in several significant achievements: firstly, pioneering deals that break new ground; secondly, pushing regulatory boundaries to the extent that regulators have revised rules post-deal to address uncovered loopholes. However, what she finds most fulfilling is collaborating with clients on pro bono initiatives and community engagement, which align with her values of social responsibility and making a positive impact beyond legal matters.
Strength in Unity
Collaboration enhances communication and shared responsibility, allowing partners to analyze risks comprehensively. Denise believes this approach fosters a deeper understanding of risks, leading to proactive mitigation strategies. Engaging with partners promotes transparency and accountability, enabling alignment on risk priorities and effective mitigation measures. Ultimately, collaboration enhances firms’ ability to anticipate and respond to risks, safeguarding their reputation and long-term success.
A Closer Look at Reed Smith’s Tech Solutions
In the ever-evolving legal landscape, Denise and her team are dedicated to continuously evaluating their systems and processes. This proactive approach enables them to lead in innovation and maintain cost-effectiveness in response to rapid developments. Clients reap the rewards of their industry-leading technology platforms, which enhance efficiency and generate shared cost savings. Supported by legal project managers, clients are empowered to implement cutting-edge technology systems that streamline traditional processes, fostering smarter, more collaborative, and efficient working practices.
Reed Smith employs various technological tools and platforms to enhance legal project management and client collaboration.
- Power BI: Facilitates real-time monitoring of budget and work plan performance, aiding better decision-making.
- Oursite: Acts as a secure, web-based case/matter management system, granting 24/7 access to documents, task lists, and status updates.
- Draft Constructor: Automates document assembly processes.
- Relativity: Offers advanced document review capabilities.
- Deal Proof: Enhances document analysis and proofreading efficiency.
- Quick Pricing Tool: Ensures accurate fee estimates and budget tracking.
- Deal Performance Platform: Streamlines transactional matters.
- Clocktimizer: Provides insights for tailored pricing arrangements.
- Gravity Stack: Utilizes technology to efficiently resolve legal issues.
These tools collectively enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve client service delivery.
