1. law, govt and politics

Jointly organised by:
Legal Leadership Development Programme (L-Leap)
“What I Wish I Knew as a Young Associate”
7 May 2015, 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Supreme Court Building, Level 8, Viewing Gallery
With the increase in the number of law graduates seeking those limited, coveted training contracts and hoping
to be retained by their respective firms, one cannot fault them for feeling that they have finally hit the jackpot
once they have these secured. As the saying goes, it is not the end but only the beginning.
The starting life of a young associate is filled with uncertainty and trepidation. In this uncertain phase, endless
questions would cross the minds of young associates. These include whether one has chosen the right field in
which to specialize, the expectations placed upon them, the do’s and don’ts of a ‘newbie’ and also what one
can do to reach the holy grail of partnership?
This forum seeks to provide illuminating insights from practitioners who have taken various unique pathways in
their illustrious careers. Their experience will prove valuable to young associates as they begin their new
journeys filled with promise.
PROGRAMME
5:00 – 5:40pm
5:40 – 5:45pm
5:45 – 7:15pm
Registration & Reception
Welcome Address
What I Wish I Knew as a Young Associate
Moderators: Mr Adrian Tan (Stamford Law Corporation) and
Mr Darius Tay (TSMP Law Corporation)
Panelists: Mr Chen Guan Feng (White & Case Pte Ltd)
Ms Koh Swee Yen (Wong Partnership LLP)
Mr Tan Choon Leng (RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP)
Mr R. Thrumurgan (Trident Law Corporation)
About L-Leap
L-Leap is a new seminar series jointly organized by the Singapore Academy of Law and Singapore Management
University’s Centre for Cross-Border Commercial Law in Asia and supported by White & Case. The primary
objective of L-Leap is to bring together leading thinkers to discuss pressing issues facing the legal profession.
While there are many existing conferences and seminars on various aspects of the law, there is a dearth of fora
where pressing issues facing the legal profession are discussed. This seminar series, which will take the form of 3
seminars held over 12 months, will fill the lacuna in this area.
1.5 PUBLIC CPD points. Practice Area: Others. Training Level: General.
SILE Attendance Policy
Participants who wish to claim CPD Points are reminded that they must comply strictly with the Attendance Policy
set out in the CPD Guidelines. This includes signing-in on arrival and signing-out at the conclusion of the activity
in the manner required by the organiser, and not being absent from the entire activity for more than 15 minutes.
Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy will not be able to obtain CPD Points for attending the
activity. Please refer to http://www.sileCPDcentre.sg for more information.
SPEAKERS
Mr Chen Guan Feng (White & Case Pte Ltd)
Guan Feng Chen is the Co-Head of White & Case’s Asia Banking Practice with over 20 years of
experience in cross-border financings and private corporate debt restructurings. He is qualified to
practice both English and Singapore law. Guan Feng is based in our Singapore office, and has
also previously been based in White & Case's Hong Kong and London offices. Guan Feng has
been recognized as a leading lawyer for Singapore banking and finance by independent legal
directories Chambers Asia-Pacific and IFLR1000.
Ms Koh Swee Yen (Wong Partnership LLP)
Ms Koh Swee Yen has an active practice in complex litigation before the High Court, Court of
Appeal and International arbitrations under the major institutional rules, including ICSID, ICC,
ICDR, SIAC and UNCITRAL. Her practice encompasses a wide spectrum of cross-border matters,
including many corporate, commercial, energy, international sales, trade and investment disputes.
She graduated with First Class Honours from NUS, previously served as a Justices' Law Clerk, and
was selected to be placed on the Supreme Court’s Young Amicus Curiae 2009/2010 list. She is the
co-chair of the YSIAC Committee and a member of the Steering Committee of IBA Arb 40.
Recently, she was recognised as a 'Rising Star' for Litigation by Euromoney Legal Media Group at
the Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2014.
Mr Tan Choon Leng (RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP)
Tan Choon Leng is one of the founding partners of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing. He is the head of the
Firm’s Private Wealth practice and co-head of the Firm’s M&A team. He is dual qualified as a
solicitor in England & Wales and as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore. Choon Leng has been
identified by the International Finance Law Review (IFLR1000) as a leading lawyer in the areas of
M&A, Private Equity, Investment Funds and Financial Services Regulatory. The Singapore
Business Review has recognised Choon Leng as one of the '20 Most Influential Lawyers 40 and
Under'. He sits as a director on several companies and also on the committee of protectors for a
number of trusts.
Mr R. Thrumurgan (Trident Law Corporation)
R. Thrumurgan (Thiru) leads Trident Law Corporation as its Principal and Managing Director. As a
firm believer in pro bono representation, Thiru has been involved in a significant number of death
penalty cases under the LASCO Scheme, including the landmark case of Ismil Bin Kadar. Further,
Trident Law Corporation, has also made a firm commitment to undertake 30 probono criminal
cases annually under VC3 and CLAS. Prior to returning to practice in 2005, Thiru held in-house
positions with Tyco International Ltd and Oiltools International Inc.
REGISTRATION
(Closing Date: 4 May 2015)
• A registration fee of SG$21.40 (inclusive of GST) applies.
• Registration for the event can only be made:
a) online at www.sal.org.sg with a Visa or Master card; and
b) online through a firm’s/ organisation’s Online Purchase Co-ordinator (OPC).
• FULL PAYMENT must be made at the point of registration.
• Any cancellation must be made in writing before the closing date. There will be no refund for any cancellation after
the closing date.
• For enquiries, please call (65) 6332 4388 or email [email protected].
•
SAL’s terms and conditions apply. See http://www.sal.org.sg/RegistrationTermsNConditions.aspx for more details.