Do you understand why we are doing it this way?
An investment banker once told me this: “I am happy to share credit with my team members for a job done well. But if anything goes wrong, it will be my responsibility. It will be on me.” The investment banker shared a story on how requests to other team members …
What, how & why
As a junior lawyer, you would be told 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 to do. Carrying out tasks requested by your employer/clients/ colleagues is part of the job. If you have good colleagues, you would be guided on 𝒉𝒐𝒘 to do the work. You may get helpful information on what issues to look out …
Lawyering and introversion
As an introvert, I used to dread picking up the phone to call a stranger. I preferred emails over phone calls. I am fine talking to someone outside my circle of friends if there are things we need to discuss. However, I rather not do small talk in social settings …
Not all clients are the same
Not all clients are the same. The legal counsel of a corporate client thanked me for the advice I gave. I thought it was very nice of this legal counsel as I was merely doing my job i.e. providing legal advice. The matter was pretty straight forward but it went …
The Practice
I am taking a page out of Seth Godin’s book “The Practice: Shipping Creative Work”. According to the book, the image below is a meme based on an old comic instruction manual on how to draw an owl. Step 1: Draw two ovals and a line. Step 2: Draw the …
The Authentic Lawyer Manifesto
I have been told a few times that I am too idealistic. I have always thought that maybe I should just keep my idealistic thinking to myself and do it my own way, however futile that may be… …until I read The Authentic Lawyer Manifesto by Build Your Book. It articulates …
Why not?
Can I study law? Can I study overseas? Can we (my family) afford the tuition fees? Can I get a place for pupillage? Can I be a lawyer? Can I be a senior associate? Can I be a partner? Over the course of my career, these are the questions I …
Using checklist to improve your work
My checklist when reviewing a draft circular or other submission document for a corporate exercise looks something like this: 1. Review my team member’s comments on the draft document as I peruse the draft document. 2. Add on my comments. 3. Once I have reached the end of the draft, …
Seek progress, not perfection
In the first few years of my practice, I was reluctant to introduce myself as a lawyer. In my mind back then, lawyers were supposed to be smart, looked the part and knew answers to all legal questions. I didn’t feel that way about myself. There was also fear that …
Your work is important
“Your work is important.” When someone said this to a group of lawyers including myself, the statement made me pause and think. I have seen my peers in corporate finance/ equity capital markets (ECM) practice getting disillusioned and burnt out. I am not immune to these feelings, especially when a …