OF SUITS AND BRIEFS : A JOURNEY FROM LAW SCHOOL TO PRACTICE
TAN HUI WEN
OF SUITS AND BRIEFS : A JOURNEY FROM LAW SCHOOL TO PRACTICE
Becoming a lawyer
TAN HUI WEN
• Tan Hui Wen is an advocate and solicitor at Skrine , specializing in commercial , land and public law litigation .
• Hui Wen enjoys advocacy and pro bono work .
• Hui Wen is a moot coach and moot judge for various competitions , including the ICC / KLRCA Pre- Moot for Willem C . Vis international commercial Arbitration Moot Competition , LAWASIA International Mooting Competition , and International Humanitarian Law ( IHL ) Moot Court Competition .
• In 2017 , Hui Wen represented Skrine at the Essex Court Chambers-Singapore Academy of Law Mooting Competition in Singapore .
• Hui Wen read law at the University of Auckland , New Zealand , and is presently the Auckland Alumni Coordinator for Malaysia .
I have always been fascinated by how our personal relations , business transactions and governmental action are all intertwined with the law . I believe that with knowledge of the law , comes the power to make a difference in society . Spurred by my desire to understand and tackle this beast of ‘ law ’, I chose to read law at the University of Auckland , New Zealand .
I returned to Kuala Lumpur after graduation , determined to begin legal practice . After a stint as a Legal Editor ( whilst studying for the notorious Certificate of Legal Practice exams ), and completion of pupillage at Skrine , I was admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya .
I am presently a Dispute Resolution Associate at Skrine . I advise and act for private sector firms , government-linked companies and State bodies in commercial , land and public law disputes involving industries as diverse as oil and gas , aviation , and finance . As solicitor and counsel , I am involved in every stage of a law suit – from drafting cause papers and submissions to attending trials and hearings in courts all over Peninsular Malaysia .
The legal profession may seem like a daunting career prospect due to the adversarial nature of our legal system and the need to deliver excellent service within quick turnaround times . Every new day in legal practice , however , is an opportunity for me to grow as a person and professional . The challenge lies in maintaining a positive mindset and taking the necessary action to effect positive changes even when the odds are seemingly against us .
Skills of a Lawyer
I believe that a lawyer must be able to think critically . When studying the law and the facts of our client ’ s case , be it to advise our client on an issue or to advance arguments in court , we cannot blindly accept information at its face value . In order for us to come up with sound advice or strategy , we have to explore all angles , probe into details , and evaluate the relevance and credibility of information . We would then have to communicate our ideas and findings effectively by knowing our audience and tailoring our language . Above all , I believe that a lawyer must remain resilient in the face of challenges for us to keep moving forward in practice and in life .