Kristine R. Ferrer, also known as Tine, is a partner at Fortun Narvasa & Salazar. She began her professional journey as a tax lawyer at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV), a leading tax and professional services firm in the Philippines. During her time at SGV, she gained valuable experience in handling tax advisory and advocacy work, as well as delivering specific corporate services to her clients.
Seeking to expand her experience in law and moved to Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS), a leading legal services firm in the Philippines. This transition allowed her to broaden her skills, experience tax, civil, and criminal litigations, and learn the intricacies of corporate law and M&A.
During her tenure as an associate at both SGV and FNS, Tine not only developed her legal skills but also her entrepreneurial abilities. Client management became a crucial aspect of her role, as she learned to build and maintain strong relationships with them, understood their needs, and provided them with tailored legal solutions.
Tine actively engaged in business development activities, recognizing the importance of expanding the firm’s client base and generating new opportunities. She learned to recognize potential clients, identify potential legal services, and negotiate contracts, all while maintaining the firm’s reputation for excellence and professionalism.
Pinnacle Achievement
Tine’s journey as a lawyer reached new heights during her tenure as a senior associate at FNS in 2017, when she handled what was acclaimed as the biggest tax settlement case in the Philippines. She believes that this milestone not only showcased her capability as a lawyer but also her dedication to her legal duty and her love for her country.
Fortun Narvasa & Salazar
More than 30 years, Fortun Narvasa & Salazar has emerged as a legal powerhouse, known for handling legal battles of historical significance. With clients which include former Philippine Presidents, high profile individuals, and big businesses, and engagements of public significance like the Manila Bay cleanup and the foregoing tax compromise, FNS has been regarded with prestige and admired for its excellence. FNS has consistently garnered recognition in esteemed editorials like the Legal 500 and the Asia Law Business Journal.
Key Attributes of Successful Leaders
As a Partner and FNS’s Tax Head, Tine believes that empathy is the foundation of eective leadership. Empathy is the ability to understand and connect with others. Tine believes that a good leader uses empathy to communicate, resolve conflicts, and create a supportive work environment. When it comes to clients, empathetic lawyering can make these clients feel understood, which cements their trust and confidence to their lawyer. Empathy allows a lawyer to resolve conflicts and issues that were entrusted to her by her clients.
Overcoming Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs
Reflecting on her journey, Kristine believes that nothing can stop women from becoming the best in their industry. With existing legislations protecting women against discrimination in the workplace, and with progress in technology, Kristine believes that every woman has the potential to be a successful entrepreneur.
Strategies for Success
Kristine advocates consistent quality work as a tool for success. She believes that success can be achieved by maintaining the quality of her services, keeping herself updated with the recent developments in law and technology, and
training others to also perform their best at work.
Deriving Meaning From Work
As a Law Firm Partner, Kristine encourages her team (a) to be creative in responding to their clients’ issues, and (b) find the best and/or most efficient solution to their clients’ problems. She usually requires her associates to draft legal opinions on the options available to their clients, given their legal issues, and to opine which among the options available will work best for them. This approach has been proven to have worked for Kristine and her team in almost all of their projects/cases. It has allowed her team to have a deep understanding of the nature of their work, and appreciate the value and importance of their services. She believes that meaning comes when we realize the impact of our work on others.
Future Vision and Guidance
Kristine plans to stay in her firm definitively, and probably head the Firm’s Corporate practice in the future, in addition to her role as FNS’s Tax Head.
Advice for Emerging Leaders
For aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders, Kristine encourages them to never lose their passion, to always do their best and the Almighty will do the rest.
For more than 30 years, Fortun Narvasa & Salazar has emerged as a legal powerhouse, known for handling legal battles of historical significance.
