EXPANDING HORIZONS
For Mr Nicholas Seng, the SAL Post-Qualification Overseas Attachment is a chance to expand his horizons and to learn from some of the best advocates overseas.
Over his first six years in legal practice, Mr Nicholas Seng has racked up experience in the prosecution of white-collar crimes, commercial litigation and arbitration. “At this point, I thought it would be good to take some time away from work, step out of my comfort zone, and seek out new perspectives about my career” shares the 31-year-old.
So it should come as no surprise that in 2017, Nicholas — an Associate at Sidley Austin LLP — jumped at the chance to apply for the SAL Post-Qualification Overseas Attachment. Introduced in 2011, the scheme offers attachments in leading London barristers’ chambers to young lawyers, to equip them with best practices in litigation and arbitration. Awardees spend up to 12 weeks on these attachments, during which they gain valuable international experience and exposure.
And as Nicholas points out, holding the attachment in London made the scheme even more attractive. “The subject matter knowledge is transferable, since our legal system is modelled after the English system and English law is a common choice of governing law for commercial contracts,” he says.
Nicholas and his wife leave for London later this month. There, he will join Essex Court Chambers, which specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration, public law and public international law. SAL caught up with Nicholas for his thoughts on his upcoming 10-week attachment, as well as his advice for fellow mid-career lawyers.
I hope the attachment will develop my skills as an advocate and show me how leading barristers in the U.K. formulate strategy and present cases before their courts and tribunals. Fellow mid-career lawyers can consider a programme like the SAL Post-Qualification Overseas Attachment, especially those seeking exposure to dispute resolution in different jurisdictions. However, before you apply, it would be good to speak to your boss about it! That way, he/she can plan early for your absence.
Applications for the SAL Post-Qualification Overseas Attachment are now open.
For more info on the scheme, visit:
https://www.sal.org.sg/Services/Scholarships/Post-Qualification-Overseas-Attachments
