Corporate law: More than just business
I decided early in my career that I would not go into practice areas which are more “personal”. Corporate laws seemed to be a more neutral choice. I probably got this wrong. *** One of the transactions I was involved in gave me a different insight. The vendors sold their …
A lawyer’s job
In M&A transactions, lawyers are naturally inclined to draft and negotiate agreements that put our clients in a strong legal position. That is our job. For a buyer, it may mean providing for the following in the sale and purchase agreement (SPA): – solid representations and warranties by the seller …
Learning the trade-transactions by transactions
I was involved in an initial public offering (IPO) and listing of a company (with subsidiaries) in the early stage of my career. That listed group then went on to acquire several companies and businesses through shares and assets acquisitions, which I was involved in. The terms for the consideration …
Lawyering: Being technically good is just the first step
Being good in the technical aspect of law is just the first step in practising law. There is so much more that goes into practising law in the private practice. Consider the following: 1. Having a template or precedent (even a good one) would not help much if you do …
What I do as a corporate lawyer
Part of my job as a corporate lawyer is to listen when clients explain the commercial terms that they want to include in agreements. The next stage involves asking detailed questions to clarify how the commercial terms should work in the actual world (and not just in theory). Sometimes the …
How I delegate effectively
One of the challenges that I face as I progress through my career is how to delegate effectively. Sometimes, it is easier to draft than to review others’ drafts. Putting my own thoughts into words may be easier than reviewing others’ work and trying to understand their flow of thoughts. …
Understand corporate finance/ECM work
When I started working on corporate finance transactions as a junior lawyer, it was overwhelming. It was a constant rush to ensure comments for announcements, circulars and submission documents were sent to principal advisers in time for the announcements and submissions to be made. Lunch time in the early years …
Lawyering: Changing practice areas
I was asked whether it is possible for a lawyer to switch to corporate practice from another practice area. I think I may not be the most qualified person to answer this question as I have been a corporate lawyer throughout my career and have not changed practice areas before. …
Is it possible to enjoy doing legal due diligence work?
I get a bit skeptical when interviewees or junior lawyers say they enjoy doing legal due diligence work. My first reaction would be, “Really?” Is it possible to enjoy doing legal due diligence work? The volume of documents to be reviewed, tight deadlines, amount of effort required to get complete …
Reflection
SPM (Malaysian equivalent of GCE O Level) results were out two weeks ago. I was reminded again how lucky I was. I wrote about how a scholarship from The University of Sheffield allowed me to pursue my dream of studying law in the UK. http://ow.ly/xbVb50JJOr2 I know not everyone gets so …