Paralegal Special
We talk to our newly joined paralegals Hansel Chua (left in picture) and Tristan Loh (right in picture) about why they chose the legal industry and how they find working at Covenant Chambers thus far.
What made you want to become a paralegal?
Hansel: True to the nature of a part-time course such as the SUSS Law Programme, in which I am enrolled, studying while working at the same time is not uncommon. However, being one of the few students in SUSS Law who was not working during my first 2 semesters, balancing the rigours of law school with the stresses of a 9 to 5 job seemed like a daunting, almost impossible task. As such, my state of mind when choosing to start full-time work in year 2, was one of nervous anticipation.
On one hand, there was the fear of not being able to adapt to work culture and the intensity so inherently tied to the legal industry, what with the fact that every case you work on involves real lives and issues. On the other, there was the excitement of being able to put into practice what I had learned so far in law school, as well as having a more intimate understanding of the more procedural aspects of the law.
These fears were what deepened my respect for many of my peers in SUSS Law, as I could not fathom how so many of them held down full-time jobs and took care of their children while studying and still maintaining their good grades. If anything, these were indicators that I ought to at least try a working and studying arrangement.
Tristan: Law had always been a childhood aspiration of mine. From family and friends recounting their experiences to media influences, this influenced my decision in choosing this path.
At the very start of my journey here, I had the privilege of being interviewed by the Managing Director of the firm, Mr Lee Ee Yang. He left a strong impression on me as he questioned my motivations for choosing law, especially at my relatively young age.
This made me reflect and remember the passion I had when I initially decided to study law. My answer to Mr Lee was that I want to experience all the stories I’ve heard thus far first-hand. Mr Lee then forewarned me that I would need to have the determination and steel to work hard in a fast-paced environment. I assured him that I was ready for any future challenges. He then introduced me to the solicitor that I would be working with, and that’s how I began my journey at Covenant Chambers.
What is it like working here?
Hansel: From my very first interview at Covenant Chambers, I was given the impression that they were extremely supportive of my working and studying arrangement. Their eagerness to take me on as a paralegal, despite knowing that I would have to prioritise my studying commitments after working hours, was surprising to me and showed that Covenant does care about its employees.
In my brief experience of 3 months, this first impression has only been reinforced. The 2 associate directors whom I have been supporting – Wilbur and Wei Chin, have been understanding towards my out-of-work commitments, and have taken great care to make sure that I haven’t been overworked, while still being able to retain their efficiency and quality of legal work.
In particular, they have taken into account that I am a law student and have taken the extra effort to explain the legal concepts behind the tasks that I have been assisting them with, ensuring that work is neither rote nor mindless. This has been extremely valuable for my growth as a law student, as I am being trained substantively in the law while in SUSS, while also receiving training of an equal quality with regard to law procedure.
Furthermore, being given the chance to attend court hearings and mediations, which are generally outside of my usual job scope as a paralegal, has given me a taste of what it is like to be a litigation lawyer. This has only made me more motivated to pursue a career as a solicitor when I have graduated.
Tristan: Working with senior associate Hui Hua has been a fun and eye-opening experience for me. He exposed me to many things that books and lessons could never have. He understands that I have plans to become a full-fledged lawyer one day and that is why he supports me to uncover my fullest potential.
As a paralegal, my daily life in the firm consists of supporting the Solicitors, in roles such as liaising with clients, drafting documents and other administrative roles. There are times when I felt overwhelmed with work, but reminding myself of the purpose of my being here helps with to calm me down and enables me to finish the task at hand more efficiently. Despite being a fast-paced working environment, I enjoy my time here in the firm, with the colleagues and friends that I have made, and appreciate the patience Hui Hua has with me.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to be a paralegal?
Hansel: I would say that being adaptable is necessary to being a paralegal. One might have the misconception that it is purely administrative work, but it actually requires a high degree of knowledge of the procedural aspects of the law. For instance, a deep understanding of both the old and new Rules of Court and the Practice Directions is something crucial to paralegal work, and something which I am still getting used to.
On top of that, the fact that I am currently studying to become a practitioner in the future means that I am often assigned tasks – which go beyond pure administrative work – that require legal analysis. This is extremely beneficial as any mistakes I make in this process are all valuable learning experiences that will go towards my proficiency as a solicitor in the future.
Tristan: In my opinion, before becoming a paralegal, it is paramount to have a goal set, and to be certain that this is the path you’d want to continue. As much as the colleagues in Covenant Chambers are understanding and patient, the legal industry itself is not very forgiving and only allows minimal error, if any at all. Without a clear objective and determination, you’ll be dreading every second at work. Having a passion for law would make you enjoy working as a paralegal, so it would be wise to ponder carefully before stepping into the role.