Internships at AEI: Ethan Tan

1. Tell us something people don’t often know about you.

I’m a music nerd – I love listening to everything from modern pop to 1920s jazz, and I’m also in a punk band in school. Further, my interest in the music industry was a large catalyst for my decision to study law. I would read about the history of record labels and how their business practices influenced the output of iconic musicians, which led me to explore the legal issues behind famous recording contracts and label mergers.

2. What did you learn from the internship – best takeaway?

During my time with AEI Legal, I had the chance to attend meetings with clients and legal counsel from other jurisdictions, through which I realised the importance of having good communication skills as a lawyer. While one may think of speaking well as simply being an eloquent content master, watching the team in action reminded me that getting one’s message across well requires personal skills. For instance, the team was not only highly prepared knowledge-wise, but also knew when and how to present complicated ideas concisely. Their use of clear language and analogies helped me, and their clients, catch on to unfamiliar concepts quickly.

I also learned that having patience and a helpful attitude is a hallmark of an effective communicator. I was never made to feel that the team was too busy to entertain my questions (even though they were, in reality, quite busy). During calls, I saw them display the same attitude towards clients, giving full attention to their needs. Ultimately, I’m grateful to have learned how to tackle the client-facing role of a corporate lawyer through the friendly, cooperative environment that the team has cultivated.

3. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

The most memorable task I was assigned required the localisation of a set of agreements that were based on U.S. securities and tax laws. I was unfamiliar with this area of law and felt challenged by the scope of the task.

However, Andrea’s style of guidance greatly helped me craft my approach towards it. She emphasised that I should take a step back, start with the basics, and gain a proper understanding of the agreements’ subject-matter, purpose, and implications. By using this strategy with every unfamiliar research area, I gained a greater sense of clarity and momentum with the task. I identified the issues that were the most unclear to me – for example, variations in legal terminology between the U.S. and Singapore – and went back to basics to educate myself on them by finding resources and guides.

Still, there remained specific clauses that did not exist in Singapore law and so could not be localised. I sought feedback from Andrea, and learned that in these scenarios, one can highlight issues for clients to confirm internally or with other advisers.

Overall, I was reminded of the importance of being proactive in seeking guidance when unsure, but also using my mentor’s advice thoughtfully to deepen my understanding beyond the boundaries of that specific task.

4. What advice would you give future interns?

Completing Company Law or a corporate law-related module may help you make the most out of your internship with AEI Legal. It was fulfilling to observe the practical application of concepts that I had previously learned about. However, even if you have no prior experience with corporate law, I believe that this internship will serve as a good introduction to the field. If you ask questions, the team will gladly provide informative answers with plenty of context.

I found it useful to take stock at the end of each day and compile whatever I had learned into a journal.

5. Did you enjoy your time?

Definitely. It was a joy working alongside a friendly, bonded team. I always felt looked out for – even on WFH days, my mentor, Bao Long, would check in to see how I was doing. I also appreciated that the team conducted meetings with external companies on issues salient to the legal industry in the era of disruptive technology. I was grateful to sit in and learn about the intricacies of the industry beyond work.

I truly appreciate the guidance and care I experienced from the team during my time in AEI Legal. It was a fulfilling, eye-opening experience, and I would recommend this internship to both first-timers and more senior law students!