“We are on the same side.”
As a corporate transactional lawyer in fast-paced, often high- pressure environments, I often hear these words when someone requests something challenging and typically urgent. While I appreciate the sentiment, there are times when I feel a disconnect between external expectations and the realities I face internally. Externally, I’m responsible for …
Why the Details Matter
Whenever I encounter situations where work is done carelessly, whether because the person doing the work thinks no one will notice or is simply cutting corners, I’m reminded of a story about Steve Jobs. Walter Isaacson shared the story in Harvard Business Review and in his book: “As a young …
The Mind That Never Rests
What does a corporate transactional lawyer do while waiting in the lift, at a restaurant counter or for coffee at a café? I read the licenses on display, check their validity periods, and scan for conditions. When I see certificates on the walls, I can’t help but examine them too. …
Learning to Appreciate the Small Things
One afternoon, I walked into the office, feeling unsettled after a discussion with another adviser. As I took my laptop from my bag and placed it on my desk, something caught my eye-a small handmade paper box, stapled at the sides, neatly holding some binder clips. The day before, I …
What keeps you going?
What keeps you going? What keeps you thriving in corporate practice? What motivates you to work day and night? I get asked these questions from time to time, and twice in the past few days. Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t have a grand or inspirational answer. For me, it’s …
Why have a shareholders’ agreement?
Why have a shareholders’ agreement? Why not just rely on the company’s constitution? A shareholders’ agreement governs the relationship (1) between shareholders themselves; and (2) between the shareholders and the company (if the company is a party to the shareholders’ agreement). Three reasons to have a shareholders’ agreement when there …
On Judging Others
As a corporate lawyer, I need to collaborate with others, whether with my team or external parties, while working on corporate deals. I review documents prepared by my team, which also require input from other parties. Similarly, I review documents prepared externally by other parties. My work often depends on …
Do I ever get bored?
After my recent post on “Draft, revise, review. Repeat,” reflecting my experience in equity capital markets work, someone asked if I ever get bored. The answer is, “Of course!” No deal is 100% interesting. The LinkedIn posts celebrating IPOs, M&As, or other corporate successes often skip over the long hours …
Draft, review, revise. Repeat.
Draft, review, revise. Repeat. If you are an equity capital markets lawyer, this cycle is all too familiar. Send out a draft. Get comments from other advisers. If you are diligent, you’ll compare the draft you sent with the one you received. Accept changes, track amendments. Enlarge the view if …
Peace of Mind
When clients engage lawyers for legal due diligence or to draft a share purchase agreement, they are not seeking the most polished report or a perfect agreement. What they truly want is peace of mind from knowing that their concerns are addressed and their matters are in good hands. Similarly, …