OF SUITS AND BRIEFS: A JOURNEY FROM LAW SCHOOL TO PRACTICE
TAN HUI WEN
OF SUITS AND BRIEFS: A JOURNEY FROM LAW SCHOOL TO PRACTICE
Becoming a lawyer
TAN HUI WEN
• Tan Hui Wen is an advocate and solicitor at Skrine, specializing in commercial, land and public law litigation.
• Hui Wen enjoys advocacy and pro bono work.
• Hui Wen is a moot coach and moot judge for various competitions, including the ICC / KLRCA Pre- Moot for Willem C. Vis international commercial Arbitration Moot Competition, LAWASIA International Mooting Competition, and International Humanitarian Law( IHL) Moot Court Competition.
• In 2017, Hui Wen represented Skrine at the Essex Court Chambers-Singapore Academy of Law Mooting Competition in Singapore.
• Hui Wen read law at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and is presently the Auckland Alumni Coordinator for Malaysia.
I have always been fascinated by how our personal relations, business transactions and governmental action are all intertwined with the law. I believe that with knowledge of the law, comes the power to make a difference in society. Spurred by my desire to understand and tackle this beast of‘ law’, I chose to read law at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
I returned to Kuala Lumpur after graduation, determined to begin legal practice. After a stint as a Legal Editor( whilst studying for the notorious Certificate of Legal Practice exams), and completion of pupillage at Skrine, I was admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.
I am presently a Dispute Resolution Associate at Skrine. I advise and act for private sector firms, government-linked companies and State bodies in commercial, land and public law disputes involving industries as diverse as oil and gas, aviation, and finance. As solicitor and counsel, I am involved in every stage of a law suit – from drafting cause papers and submissions to attending trials and hearings in courts all over Peninsular Malaysia.
The legal profession may seem like a daunting career prospect due to the adversarial nature of our legal system and the need to deliver excellent service within quick turnaround times. Every new day in legal practice, however, is an opportunity for me to grow as a person and professional. The challenge lies in maintaining a positive mindset and taking the necessary action to effect positive changes even when the odds are seemingly against us.
Skills of a Lawyer
I believe that a lawyer must be able to think critically. When studying the law and the facts of our client’ s case, be it to advise our client on an issue or to advance arguments in court, we cannot blindly accept information at its face value. In order for us to come up with sound advice or strategy, we have to explore all angles, probe into details, and evaluate the relevance and credibility of information. We would then have to communicate our ideas and findings effectively by knowing our audience and tailoring our language. Above all, I believe that a lawyer must remain resilient in the face of challenges for us to keep moving forward in practice and in life.