As 2025—the Year of the Snake—draws to a close, the legal landscape across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia has undergone significant shifts characterized by strategic thinking, adaptability, and deeper integration between legal and business functions. Key trends included the essential partnership between CFOs and general counsel, the transition of AI from pilot projects to operational use, intensified cross-border legal complexities, fierce competition for legal talent demanding flexible work models, and a shift from doing more with less to purpose-driven transformation. These changes reflect a move away from traditional legal approaches toward more innovative, outcome-focused strategies.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Year of the Horse promises momentum and bold experimentation in legal operations across the APAC region. Australian legal teams will prioritize pragmatic innovation amid budget and talent pressures, while the rise of the portfolio GC will see more sophisticated mixes of in-house, external, and technological resources. Singapore is set to solidify its role as a hub for legal innovation, and Hong Kong will continue balancing its international and Mainland China identities. The generational leadership handover will accelerate adoption of flexible, tech-enabled models, signaling a shift from cautious planning to dynamic execution and meaningful progress in the legal profession.