Internships at AEI: Alicia Jiang
1. What were some of the challenges you faced?
One main challenge I faced was not knowing what to look out for when reviewing agreements as I had no experience reading agreements. This made it hard for me to research and understand the transactions from the clients’ perspectives. However, Andrea, Zhi Tian and Yuho, were always ready and willing to help me improve my work – they entertained questions, explained foreign concepts, and gave lots of constructive feedback.
2. What was the highlight of your internship experience?
The entire internship was very enriching and memorable, despite us having to work from home due to COVID-19.
One highlight of my internship was when Andrea gave the interns a crash course on the mechanics of a term sheet. She briefed us on the transaction before explaining what the client wants, how can we achieve it and why a term sheet is needed. She then went through the term sheet clause by clause, occasionally cueing Zhi Tian and Yuho to share their thoughts and making sure that we were following her. That was a valuable discussion not just because of the knowledge I gained, but also because I saw how the team worked seamlessly together.
Another highlight for me was attending clients’ meetings. The meetings allowed me to understand clients’ needs and the mechanics of the transactions. What also inspired me was how the lawyers proposed solutions to clients’ concerns and advised them effectively. This showed me that the lawyers really put a lot of thought into each transaction and wanted to provide the best advice to the clients.
3. What did you learn?
I was fortunate to be involved in a variety of legal work during my short stint with AEI. I learnt a lot from drafting to research. While these skills were taught in school, applying them to each transaction did not come easy as every transaction is unique and we had to customise the drafting to each client’s needs. This made me realise that being a good corporate lawyer requires adaptability, wits and dedication. The lawyers at AEI possessed these qualities and more. Interacting with them also made me realise that their dedication stems from a love for what they do. This was different and inspiring as seeing them enjoy what they do encourages me to pursue my areas of interest.
4. What advice would you provide to future interns?
Keep a daily log to maximise learning. This will help you to reflect on your work and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek feedback.
Read up and read often to keep abreast of new developments. This will help you to understand why certain regulations are in place and anticipate future needs and challenges.
5. Did you enjoy your time?
Definitely. Apart from being great mentors, the people at AEI are welcoming and helpful. I felt included and comfortable learning from everyone and really enjoyed the learning process. I am thankful that I got to experience AEI’s nurturing, collaborative and passionate culture and am sure the experience I gained will stay with me for a long time.