The Jollibee Group celebrates another significant people milestone as Atty. Vera Marie “Vem” Bautista-King, General Counsel for Corporate & Commercial Global, EMEAA, and Legal Business Partner for Global and the Philippines, continues to earn recognition from some of Asia’s most respected legal publications.
Most recently, Atty. Bautista-King was named to the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Asia 40 Under 40, which honors the region’s most outstanding young lawyers shaping the future of corporate law. She is the only Filipino in-house lawyer included on this year’s list—an achievement that underscores her growing influence and leadership across the regional legal landscape.
Her inclusion builds on a series of accolades. She was previously a finalist for In-House Lawyer of the Year and Woman Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Philippine Law Awards, and in 2023, she was among four senior Jollibee Group legal leaders recognized by Legal 500 in its inaugural GC Powerlist Philippines, which spotlights the country’s top General Counsels.
Championing Legal Excellence and Global Growth
Atty. Bautista-King has been with the Jollibee Group for eight years, steadily progressing from manager to her current leadership role. Today, she oversees key legal pillars spanning Corporate & Commercial—including Governance, Capital Markets & Securities, and Mergers and Acquisitions—along with EMEAA operations, Franchising, and Ethics and Governance.
Her leadership has been instrumental in several landmark initiatives for the Group. These include the acquisition of Compose Coffee in South Korea, which was recognized as Best M&A Transaction in Korea (2024), and the successful issuance of US$300 million in senior unsecured guaranteed bonds, marking Jollibee Food Corporation’s return to the global bond market in 2025.
Beyond transactions, she has played a key role in advancing the Jollibee Group’s ambition to be a franchisor of choice in the global QSR industry, helping develop new policies and processes, supporting EMEAA market expansion, and facilitating the entry of international franchised brands into the Philippine market.
Recognition of Leadership and Integrity
The ALB Asia 40 Under 40 list recognizes legal professionals under 40 who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and meaningful impact. Atty. Bautista-King’s recognition reflects not only her personal achievements, but also the Jollibee Group’s commitment to high standards of governance, cross-border excellence, and business-focused legal counsel.
“Professionally, this recognition is highly significant,” Bautista-King shared. “It affirms the excellence of the legal work we deliver within the Jollibee Group and the trust our business places in our team. It reflects the standards we’ve set in governance, cross-border expansion, and franchising.”
“Personally,” she added, “I hope this sets a good example for my children—that hard work, integrity, and perseverance can open doors and create opportunities to lead and inspire others.”
Empowering Women in Law
As a woman leader in a global organization, Atty. Bautista-King continues to serve as a role model for young lawyers—particularly women striving to excel in the legal profession while raising families.
“Strive for excellence in everything you do. Work hard, keep learning, and never hesitate to ask questions,” she advised. “Find mentors and build strong teams—you grow faster together. I’m grateful to the Jollibee Group for being a place where young women lawyers can thrive and be excellent in all our roles in life.”
She also expressed appreciation for her mentors and teammates who have supported her on key projects throughout her career.
Strength of the Jollibee Group Legal Team
These recognitions from Asian Legal Business highlight not only individual excellence but also the collective strength of the Jollibee Group’s Legal, Ethics, and Compliance function, which continues to be recognized as one of Asia’s top-performing in-house legal teams.
“We take pride in seeing our next generation of leaders recognized across Asia,” said , Global Chief Legal, Ethics, and Compliance Officer of the Jollibee Group. “Vem’s achievements reflect the high caliber of talent within our legal team and our shared commitment to governance, excellence, and integrity across all markets.”
