By SGN | 5 Mar 2026
Christopher Y. Chan didn’t set out to work in AI, or even in tech. His career began in a U.S. law firm, took an unexpected turn through Singapore’s fast-growing tech scene, and eventually led him to shape AI strategy for a global commercial real estate company operating in more than 80 countries.
Speaking at the SGN Global Leaders Series in San Francisco on October 30, 2025, Chan – now General Counsel at JLL Technologies – shared the pivots, risks, and hard-earned lessons behind that journey.
A Bold Start: Risk-Taking and International Ventures
Chris’s career didn’t begin in a high-ranking legal position. It was shaped by bold, unconventional decisions that set him apart.
At 22, Christopher Y. Chan moved to India to help expand a U.S. consulting firm’s first international office, marking the beginning of his global career in business and law. He returned to the U.S. for law school, building a formidable legal foundation with a prestigious clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and honing his expertise in intellectual property at both an AMLAW 100 firm and a dynamic Silicon Valley startup.
In mid-2015, Chris relocated to Singapore to join RedMart as its first in-house lawyer and Head of Legal & Government Affairs, a move that catalyzed his career in Southeast Asia’s tech and e-commerce ecosystem. At RedMart, he played a key role in the company’s growth and its eventual acquisition by Lazada (Alibaba Group).
Following the acquisition, he continued with Lazada, working on legal and government affairs across the region and further deepening his leadership experience and networks in high-growth markets.
Leadership and Mentoring Across Cultures
Chris’s career is a masterclass in the “Global Connector Mindset” that the SGN Global Leaders Series champions: the ability to transcend borders and disciplines to create shared value. He defines this philosophy not as a function of authority, but of perspective.
“Good leadership isn’t about control,” Chris shared. “It’s about context, being able to see the big picture and connect the dots between people, markets, and technology.”
He puts this belief into practice through a deep commitment to mentorship and community building. Chan actively fosters relationships with founders and emerging lawyers, understanding that these connections are the true source of valuable partnerships, innovation, and great life experiences. This dedication to cultivating talent is the core of his leadership style.
Shaping the Future at JLL Technologies
As General Counsel at JLL Technologies, Chris plays a pivotal role in the company’s legal strategy, particularly surrounding artificial intelligence, data innovation, and venture capital.In his role, Chris has helped the firm adopt innovative solutions while ensuring that innovation happens responsibly.
He believes that regulation plays a critical role in fostering creativity.
“Regulation shouldn’t kill creativity. It should give it structure,” Chan insists. This counter-intuitive philosophy is the bedrock of his strategy at JLL Technologies, where he is tasked with navigating the complex legal landscape of AI and technology. His goal is to champion a framework that is not only innovative but also scalable, secure, and profoundly human-centric.
It’s a mindset honed through his experiences as a rock climbing instructor and adventurer. In each pursuit, clear protocols are not limitations; they are what enable bold action.
For a Fortune 200 firm of 110,000 employees, he proves that this disciplined approach to innovation is the most effective way to lead responsibly into the future in fast-evolving industries like AI. He recognizes that the modern general counsel can no longer be just a risk manager; and must be an architect of responsible innovation, building the guardrails that allow the business to move faster, not slower.
The Future of AI and Technology
Looking to the future, Chris remains optimistic about the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He believes those who will succeed in these fields are those who approach innovation with curiosity, boldness, and a commitment to responsible development.
“Whether you’re drafting contracts or code, the real challenge is the same: understanding how people work, and how systems scale,” he remarked, highlighting his focus on the human aspect of technological growth. For Chris, the intersection of people, markets, and technology is where the most profound innovations happen.
About Christopher Y.Chan
As Global General Counsel at JLL Technologies, Christopher Y. Chan leads legal strategy at the intersection of technology, real estate, and innovation. Prior to JLL, he was the first legal hire at RedMart, where he helped guide the company through its acquisition by Alibaba’s Lazada, and later held senior legal leadership roles across Southeast Asia.
Connect with him here.
