Internships at AEI: Yeoh Su-Jane

1. What were some of the challenges you faced?

One challenge I faced was being unfamiliar with the nature of the work I did, particularly in proofreading. But thanks to the mentorship I received at the firm, I learnt a lot about the various stages of proofreading to produce something tailored for the client’s needs. It became a more meaningful exercise in surveying the client’s transactional landscape – searching for the hazards concealed in the wording of the clauses, and the hazards that arose by virtue of something missing.

2. What was the highlight of your internship experience?

The highlight of my experience was being present throughout the various stages of ongoing deals and having my work contributing to their progress. Because the work I received was indeed live work, I received immediate feedback on my edits, research, and recommendations and that gave me a practical perspective grounded in the context of the deal. Listening to phone calls with clients also provided insight into what each deal concerned and about the people involved. All of this made my work feel more significant knowing it wasn’t going into the void but towards the completion of something that would bring value to someone.

3. What did you learn?

I learned more about the skills needed to be a good corporate lawyer. Providing value to a client requires one to be a very well-rounded individual – being able to see the little details and the overall fit of the clauses in a document, being able to read the dynamics of the parties, being an advocate for the client at

the negotiating table, and also being knowledgeable and trustworthy enough to advise on matters that aren’t strictly within one’s specialisation. Corporate lawyers wear many hats and it’s the realisation of how multifaceted their role in business truly is that was my biggest takeaway this internship.

4. What advice would you provide to future interns?

To give better work, it is crucial to put yourself in the shoes of the client by understanding the industry they work in, the people they deal with, and their desires and fears. Remember that the law does not exist for its own purposes but to keep the world turning. Also, very importantly, you should be curious about the work - you never know what you’ll learn when you ask questions.

5. Did you enjoy your time?

I really did! At AEI Legal, there’s a strong, healthy culture of mentorship and interesting, important work to be done. It’s an experience all interns want but don’t always get and I’m very grateful to have spent my time there.