A&G (Myanmar)

I’ve been in the Energy, Infrastructure and Projects team in A&G since I graduated, and one of my most memorable experiences was being seconded to Yangon for six months as a Senior Associate in my fifth year of practice. My motivation for heading to Myanmar was three-fold: to experience a new market that would challenge me to get out of my comfort zone; to help grow our office in Yangon; and finally, to learn from the market leaders in the Myanmar legal industry.

I found working in a frontier market like Yangon to be challenging and exciting. As Myanmar was (and still is) in the process of rapid development, the size and complexity of the transactions I encountered were on a different scale compared to Singapore. By way of illustration, I had helped to prepare and negotiate documents relating to the construction and operation of a brewery as well as the provision of port consultancy services in Myanmar.

Living in Yangon was equally memorable as there is plenty to see and do, both in and outside the city. The Shwedagon Pagoda is amazing at sunset, and popular tourist destinations such as Inle Lake and Bagan are only an hour’s flight away! In terms of cuisine, food in Myanmar is diverse, rich and flavorful (Mohinga is a personal favorite) and Yangon beer is the perfect way to end the day.

I am extremely grateful for having had the chance to work in Yangon, and consider myself lucky that I continue to be able to support the Yangon office on projects in Myanmar even after returning to the Singapore office. The secondment helped me to develop a different set of problem solving skills (to deal with issues not typically faced in a Singapore context), as well as the patience and ability to adapt resourcefully when matters take an unexpected turn.

Serle Court Chambers, London

I was very fortunate to have been seconded by the Firm to one of the leading Chambers sets in London. As a young litigator, I relished the opportunities to meet, and work under the mentorship of, some of the most brilliant litigation minds in London. It was a privilege to be given a glimpse into (and I almost felt a part of) Chambers during the four months of secondment, where I was involved in discussions, formulations of arguments, strategy and case analysis. Most satisfying of all, I was present to witness how all of these were weaved into a masterful performance in Court. The experience was inspiring, eye-opening and, indeed, deeply humbling, to discover the sheer wealth of knowledge, skill and finesse that litigation embodies, and for which I have a great deal to learn. Travelling out of London for work was a possibility, but who would have expected Dubai! It was a pleasant surprise, and a privilege indeed, to have been introduced to Middle Eastern legal work, which added a colourful dimension to my experience in Chambers. Being at the heart of two cosmopolitan cities – London and Dubai – also meant that I got to meet people from diverse (and international) backgrounds, all of whom were eager to share their unique stories and perspectives, and at the same time listen to mine. Suffice to say, there was never a dull moment during my time in Chambers. Outside of Chambers, I was delighted by the choice of parks I could visit, places to run in, and the ease at which one could enjoy the serenity of the countryside outside London. My time in London was a first of many things for me – attempting my maiden marathon, mountain-biking in the countryside hills, and, most of all, my first overseas work experience which has given me precious and fond memories to look back on.

Slaughter and May, Hong Kong

I was seconded to the Hong Kong office of Slaughter and May for six months as a Registered Foreign Lawyer. The secondment was an amazing experience for me, both professionally and personally. Slaughter and May’s multi-specialist approach to corporate practice allowed me to gain exposure to an exciting and wide range of transactions during my secondment. I was involved in the pre-IPO due diligence of a financial institution, the sale and franchise of Marks and Spencer’s retail business in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as the public takeover of a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong which operates in the media and entertainment industry. Navigating a different legal environment was challenging but it was a fantastic learning experience. Like A&G, Slaughter and May practices an open door policy and this meant that I was able to walk into an associate’s or partner’s room at any time and discuss a legal problem in a friendly and collaborative environment. My colleagues were all warm, helpful and friendly and many of them continue to be good friends of mine. I also had a wonderful time outside of the office. There was just so much to see and do in Hong Kong. Whether it was lining up for beef brisket noodles after a long day at work, hiking through Hong Kong’s many (and some quite challenging) trails, or just chilling and having drinks with colleagues on Slaughter and May’s firm junk boat as it cruised along Victoria Harbour – there was never a dull moment! The secondment was an excellent opportunity for me to experience working in a different environment and with people from different cultural backgrounds, and has greatly expanded my horizons in many ways.