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

I did my law school interview in a karaoke room.

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

My best takeaway from this internship is getting exposure to corporate and transactional work. I had been interested to explore the practice area of M&A and see the kinds of work that law firms provide to start-ups, having dabbled in the entrepreneurship and VC scene previously. I am grateful that AEI gave me the chance to work on a wide range of tasks such as research, proofreading, trying my hand out at drafting and editing contracts as well as having the opportunity to sit-in on client calls.

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

Drafting and editing contracts was difficult as it was my first time. While we learn how to do legal research in school, the skills that we pick up in our first two years of education largely do not cover contract-drafting. I found it challenging to comprehend some technical terms or trying to incorporate what the client wants in the right manner. It helped to look at precedents, but nevertheless it was important to make sure that the edits were tailored to the specific client’s needs.

I sought help from people in the firm and they were very willing to explain to you anything you do not understand or wanted to know more.

4. What advice would you give future interns?

Try your best and keep an open mind. It may be difficult if this is your first corporate law internship but learning something and doing something new will be interesting. Also, don’t be afraid to seek help or guidance if you face any doubts even after trying to understand something on your own.

5. Did you enjoy your time?

Yes, I did! Everyone in the firm is approachable, nice and willing to help. Interns were meaningfully involved in the work that the firm did and I appreciated that we were often informed on the wider context of a particular task so we can understand the big picture better. I believe that an internship with AEI will be suitable for anyone who wants to gain exposure to corporate practice and experience a broad range of tasks.

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

If I did not study Law, I would most likely be studying something related to the environment, be it Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Architecture, or Geography. I genuinely enjoyed the study of urban themes within Geography in Junior College, and almost pursued it until I discovered the field of Environmental Law and Policy, which tipped the scales in favour of studying Law in University.

I do have to caveat that while I enjoy the study of environmental-related subjects, I am no Greta Thunberg. It is unbearably difficult to deny the convenience of plastic utensils, straws, and plastic bags so I often succumb to the temptation of using these environmentally degrading products after all…

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

This internship is my first legal internship, so I was naturally quite nervous about my competency and the difficulty of the work that will be assigned. Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about because everyone in the team is very approachable and understanding. The internship provided me with a glimpse of what corporate practice entailed, as we are not usually exposed to corporate practice in the first year of law school. Being an inherently introverted person, the heavy emphasis on litigation-related education in the first year of law school created a fervent curiosity to explore what the other side was about (i.e., corporate law in practice), which led to my application for an internship with AEI.

Among the numerous insights gleaned from this three-week internship, the most crucial one would have to be the experience of observing the various methods in which the legal doctrines and concepts studied in school were applied in practice. I vividly remember seeing a clause which stated how the doctrine of contra proferentem was not to apply to the agreement, and I was surprised at how these seemingly technical concepts evolved into strategies to make the client’s position more favourable. The specific wording of clauses also adjusted the client’s position in a nuanced manner, and being able to observe how law is applied in practice was particularly exciting for me.

This internship also provided me with the opportunity to “step into the client’s shoes” to understand their interests and objectives, a valuable skill that is not taught to us in school. Observing how Andrea and the team explained complex legal concepts to the clients during meetings also made me realise the importance of content mastery in your practice area because it is essential to have fully internalised every aspect of your area of expertise to be able to break down difficult concepts into simpler constituents for your clients to understand.

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

As I interned here in Summer after my first year of law school, I have not studied Company Law and other corporate-related modules. Frankly, I was quite lost in the first few days of the internship because the agreements and documents assigned were mostly filled with finance/accounting terms and concepts that I have not come across prior to this internship. Nonetheless, everyone was very approachable and entertained my queries even though the questions were quite elementary in nature.

One of the more memorable tasks assigned to me during the internship was to draft a memorandum in Mandarin Chinese on Venture Capital (VC)-related matters. Initially, I was quite overwhelmed because I was not familiar with VC concepts at all, and the language component increased the difficulty of this assignment exponentially. Thankfully, Darren forwarded me a precedent memorandum for reference, and Andrea patiently answered my questions on specific details within the memorandum. It was undoubtedly a difficult task but with the assistance of Darren and Andrea, I could submit the memorandum within the proposed timeline.

Andrea also provided constructive feedback on how specific areas of the memorandum could be improved, which broadened my understanding of how memorandums in practice are written. This assignment made me fathom the importance of being bilingual and how it truly serves as a differentiator in today’s society where the Chinese market is developing at a rapid pace.

When faced with these unfamiliar and/or difficult tasks, I feel that it is best to clarify all your doubts from the get-go to prevent any doubts from snowballing into genuine concerns that may affect the quality of your work. As I mentioned earlier, the AEI team is very approachable and will respond to your questions kindly, which is a great learning opportunity for us interns.

4. What advice would you give future interns?

First, if you are deliberating whether to apply for an internship at AEI, I strongly urge you to do so especially if this is your first corporate internship. The firm has a robust corporate practice and a wealth of experience, which will provide a smoother transition in your first foray into corporate practice.

Second, if you have already decided to do an internship with AEI, I would encourage you to put yourself out there and interact with the people at the firm. There is always something to be learnt out of these daily conversations, and they are able to provide valuable advice about law school/ internships/ or practice in general.

Finally, when faced with hurdles in your tasks, it is most efficient to clarify these doubts with your mentor or the lawyer who assigned you the work rather than to struggle with it alone. This makes your assignment more manageable and helps to hone your communication skills at the workplace. After all, legal practice is a collaborative effort, and you definitely want to be someone that others enjoy working with. Seeking feedback from your mentor/the other lawyers is also very beneficial because you rarely have the opportunity to have your work vetted by practicing lawyers even in law school.

5. Did you enjoy your time?

Yes! The internship allowed me to experience legal practice and corporate practice for the first time, which is something that we are not exposed to in law school. The lawyers and staff at AEI are incredibly approachable as well, which smoothened the initial adjustment from law school to legal practice for these three weeks. The variety of practice areas experienced was also eye-opening, especially for a Rising Year 2 student like myself who has not delved into many areas of law yet, and it helped me narrow down the list of practice areas which I would eventually like to pursue.

Overall, this internship strengthened my inclination towards shaping a career in corporate practice, and I enjoyed my time here!

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

My sister, though always supportive, often playfully complains that my chords on the ukulele sound indistinguishable as I try to fit most of the songs into the same chord pattern. Nonetheless, I find great pleasure in playing the ukulele for my own amusement, experimenting with different chord variations and singing along with the music. It is a pastime that consistently brings me joy and relaxation and I guess she’ll just have to grin and bear it for the foreseeable future!

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

I acquired a deep appreciation for the role that effective communication and collaboration play in a professional context. Working alongside and engaging with different associates provided me with insights into effective teamwork, fostering open dialogue, and building strong working relationships. Every member’s willingness to share their knowledge and patience in offering guidance was also inspiring.

The internship also provided me with a valuable glimpse into the intricacies of the corporate cycle and the role of lawyers in providing assistance throughout the process, which is precisely what I had hoped to gain from this experience.

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

As a first-year law student, I encountered a significant challenge when I was assigned work related to corporate law, an area I had no prior knowledge of. This lack of familiarity made the tasks unfamiliar and more time-consuming than anticipated.

However, I was fortunate to have supportive mentors who displayed exceptional patience and provided me with ample guidance throughout the process. Their understanding and willingness to accommodate my learning pace allowed me to navigate through the work. Despite the extra time invested due to my initial unfamiliarity, this experience proved to be invaluable in expanding my legal horizons and enhancing my understanding of corporate law.

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

As a first-year law student, I encountered a significant challenge when I was assigned work related to corporate law, an area I had no prior knowledge of. This lack of familiarity made the tasks unfamiliar and more time-consuming than anticipated. However, I was fortunate to have supportive mentors who displayed exceptional patience and provided me with ample guidance throughout the process. Their understanding and willingness to accommodate my learning pace allowed me to navigate through the work. Despite the extra time invested due to my initial unfamiliarity, this experience proved to be invaluable in expanding my legal horizons and enhancing my understanding of corporate law.

5. What advice would you give future interns?

Embrace the opportunity. Even if this is your very first internship, the firm possesses a profound understanding of the significance of this developmental phase and is prepared to extend the requisite guidance and support to aid your growth. Rest assured that the associates are resolute in their commitment to ensuring your acquisition of valuable knowledge and skills from the work you undertake!

6. Did you enjoy your time?

Absolutely! Lunch breaks with my mentors and colleagues were especially pleasant because they were incredibly friendly. The overall atmosphere within the firm was truly remarkable, fostering a positive and thriving work environment. It was refreshing to witness a healthy and supportive atmosphere where collaboration and camaraderie were valued. Apart from leisure time, work moments were also enjoyable. The associates provided all the necessary guidance and support, exhibiting remarkable patience when addressing any queries or concerns I had and made sure that I stayed on track. Overall, I am genuinely grateful for the truly enriching and fulfilling journey.