When queried on what I aspired to be when I grew up, the idea of
becoming a lawyer came to mind quite naturally, as it filled the 3 voids I
felt were most important to me at the time. Firstly, perhaps misguided by
TV’s (mis-)portrayal of quintessential characters in the legal trade being
typically well-dressed and driving fancy cars, pursuing law seemed like it
could earn me some good money; secondly, it would be a challenge;
finally, that intellectual stimulation – like a puzzle that beckons a solution
to be found. So when I had my mind set on my career goal, not only did I
aim to be qualified as a lawyer - “enough just wasn’t good enough”. I
wanted to become a renowned litigator!
Given their financial constraints, my parents could not afford English
tuition for me, but I was determined to master the language. I would
carry with me an ancient English dictionary wherever I went – like a spell-
book to a sorceress. I would listen attentively to radio broadcasts and
attempt to watch and understand the news on television. Every book I
laid my hands on, I would find myself tunneling deeply through the
dictionary for significance and connotation of words that were strange to
me. This continues to this day. I listen to TED talks as I get dressed for
work, and note down bombastic words like, well… ‘Bombastic’.
Noting my determination and recognizing my potential, my loving dad
could not just sit idly and watch. He secretly liquidated his favorite car, so
that I may further my studies in the UK.
On the path towards building my career:
Some things come easy in life, others not. One thing is for sure – there is
no such thing as a free lunch. I knew that completing a Bachelor’s degree
in Law and the Bar Vocational Course in the UK, would merely allow me
to take my first meek baby steps in the world of law - to apply for
pupillage and then hopefully qualify as a lawyer. The key question then
was of course where I would be pursuing this crucial training, which
would ultimately kick-start my legal career.
In addition to my part-time job while studying, I found myself playing the
game of numbers - applying for internships at as many reputable law
firms as I could to obtain work experience, and expose myself to various
areas of practice. I also took this opportunity to ascertain the type of
corporate structure and work culture that would help bring out the best
of my professional capabilities. This introductory experience, although
not lengthy, was no trivial step in my learning.
I was fortunate enough to be accepted as a legal intern both locally and
internationally. Amongst others, I was offered a summer clerkship at
Simmons & Simmons, Hong Kong, where I was assigned various tasks in
the corporate litigation department. There were days when I was overly
stressed dealing with situations way beyond my comfort zone, and on top
of which, the required yet-to-attain knowledge that was expected of me
within a short timeframe did not exactly lessen the cortisol. However
there were fun moments, making new friends whilst briefly sampling the
fast-paced Hong Kong culture.