Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar (SHA:601012)

In M&A, it’s not just about the deal—it’s about who’s at the table. In-house and external counsel both play key roles in a deal, bringing unique expertise and advantages. Knowing how to strategically utilize both can help you manage risks, secure favorable terms, and ensure smooth post-deal integration.

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar, shares how to play to the strengths of both sides to optimize your M&A approach.

Things you will learn from this episode:

Balancing in-house and external legal roles
Mindset differences in in-house vs. external counsel
Tactical vs. strategic roles in legal counsel
Risk mitigation: external vs. internal counsel
Choosing the right external counsel for M&A deals

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Episode Timestamps

00:00 Intro
06:15 Balancing in-house and external legal roles
08:59 The intensity of external legal work
10:06 Mindset differences in in-house vs. external counsel
12:56 Tactical vs. strategic roles in legal counsel
15:54 Understanding negotiation perspectives
20:56 Risk mitigation: external vs. internal counsel
23:47 Cross-functional collaboration in risk mitigation
28:19 Assessing law firm culture
29:34 Best and worst-case scenario of M&A deals
36:15 Choosing the right external counsel for M&A deals
39:36 Building relationships with legal counsel for future M&A deals
42:57 Managing diligence: pre-term sheet vs. post-term sheet
45:45 Identifying red flags before signing the LOI
48:27 Collaborating with internal stakeholders pre-LOI vs post-LOI
54:46 The Impact of AI on the legal profession
58:29 Craziest thing in M&A

In-House vs. External Legal Insights in M&A

M&A Science