Venturing Beyond the Law - Ho Kheng Lian ’07

What advice would you give to NUS Law students keen to practice in New York/the US?

Apply for the NUS-NYU LLM programme – this was vital in getting me physically in front of the right people. In a market as competitive as New York City, it’s going to be nearly impossible to secure a conversation, let alone an offer, if all you can do is send emails and Zoom. I would also work on getting internships at international firms that had US-linked practices, which I did in the summer of Year 3. I think it helps to have a mix of local and international brand names on your CV, giving you both work experience and some degree of international brand recognition.

Apart from your academic ability, you need to be able to display your willingness to integrate into US culture and work as part of a firm here. In the US, the people that I work with are generally more outgoing, polished and interesting than most other people I’ve met, so I had to rethink my own outlook and make sure that I was meeting (or even exceeding) expectations in these regards.

I would encourage taking classes that have financial and even political elements to them. While you may not be analysing balance sheets as part of your job, it is increasingly important that you understand the most basic expression of what the client is concerned about (it’s always money) and how the financial concepts that they grapple with are closely related to legal constructs that you will eventually deal with.

How’s life in New York City?

The magic of NYC to me is possibility - there is always something new around the next corner and the people here are the most driven, focused and motivated people I have ever met. I think most young people here come for a specific reason or to chase a dream, whether that is being a lawyer, a fashion influencer or even a superstar maitre’d – that attitude reflects across the high standards that people deliver here across the spectrum of professional services, cultural offerings and entertainment.

Having a community of people like that is also incredibly helpful to keep you motivated. It is ultimately the easiest thing to return to where you are comfortable and build a safe, secure life, but when you are here, you see what could be.

Xuan W. Tay ’20

Masters Student at Georgetown University, Former Judicial Fellow to H.E. President Joan E. Donoghue, International Court of Justice (ICJ) (The Hague)

What was your experience like at the ICJ? What kind of cases, and which judges, did you have a chance to work on/for?

As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ is the preeminent forum for the settlement of disputes between States and plays a crucial role in the development of international law. One significant takeaway for me was the opportunity to experience, behind the scenes, international law’s role in addressing significant international disputes. The Court, being a forum of fifteen judges with their individual lived

experiences, is enriched by the diverse perspectives from within.

I had the opportunity to work closely with and be mentored by the President of the Court, Judge Joan E. Donoghue. My dayto-day assignments involved preparing legal opinions on issues before the Court, contributing to the President’s speeches, attending hearings, and assisting the President in her various legal projects. She is incredibly invested in the lives of the people whom she works with, and not only was she embracing of my “fresh graduate” legal views (even when I disagreed with her), she also took the time to get to know me on a personal level.

The best part of my time with the World Court was the lifelong connections I made with colleagues and the other Judicial Fellows. Above all, the memories that would stick with me are the hallway conversations and the dinner parties with a wonderful bunch of people.

What advice would you give to NUS Law students wishing to forge a career in international law?

Do chat with some of NUS Law’s international legal professors. Our professors have extensive experience in different fields of international law. My own journey to the ICJ would not have been possible without Assistant Professor Tan Hsien-Li PhD ’09 and Associate Professor Vincent-Joël Proulx – the two loveliest and most passionate professors I know.

There are various ways to get involved with international law. Organisations such as the ICJ and the Permanent Court of Arbitration deal more with international legal issues of a general nature, and there are also intergovernmental organisations, such as the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the World Bank, and the many UN agencies, which deal with specific aspects of international law. Aside from these, students may also consider a career with non-profits, government bodies, private practice, and academia.

The ability to speak multiple languages is also a valuable asset in intergovernmental organisations. It is generally a good rule of thumb to pick up at least two official languages of the UN, including English. More importantly, you have to learn to be comfortable with living and working in a diverse setting.

Which do you prefer - Washington D.C. or The Hague?

Washington D.C., by miles. The weather is perfect, the city is close to nature, and despite all the political hubbub, the city itself is pretty laidback and celebrates persons from all walks of life – regardless of race, sexual orientation, or cultural background.

What are your plans for after Georgetown Law?

I plan to pursue a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). I have in mind a fascinating topic I would like to write about, and the nerd in me would very much prefer to pursue this interest in the years to come. An SJD may also allow me to experience what it is like to teach international law, which is something I am keen to try.

LAW ALUMNI MENTOR PROGRAMME 2021

The launch of the Law Alumni Mentor Programme (LAMP) 2021 was held virtually from 5 to 7 October 2021. This year, we hit another record number in participation - 245 students were matched with 237 mentors.

LAMP connects first and second year, Juris Doctor and LLM students with our alumni lawyers to provide insights and guidance on career and professional development issues, as well as networking opportunities. Each evening of the launch event focussed on different practice areas and career paths, and mentors and mentees had the opportunity to meet and speak in small, intimate breakout room sessions. Many groups engaged in lively conversations, with mentees not only being able to hear from their own mentors, but also from other mentors as well as mentees from different years of study.

Earlier this year, as a gesture of appreciation to our mentors, we sent out dining vouchers which they could use to meet up with their mentees, perhaps over a coffee or a meal. Concurrently, we launched the #lampcoffee&catchup photo contest to encourage them to submit photos of their meet-ups. The photos were uploaded onto Facebook, and the photo with the most number of ‘Likes’ won the Most Popular Photo. Winners were also selected for the Best Online Meet-Up and In-Person Photo.

Our heartiest congratulations to the winners (who were rewarded with USD100 Amazon e-vouchers each) and thanks to everyone who gamely joined in the fun!

Most importantly, we would like to thank all LAMP Mentors who have generously given your time and shared your experiences and advice to help our students, especially during the past two years.

Most Popular Photo: Loh Wai Yue ’01 and Louis Lim Jun Ren ’23

“It’s been a pleasure to have been able to mentor Louis Lim and it has reminded me why I chose and stuck to a career in private practice. May you and all those aspiring lawyers have auspicious conditions to meet your goals, and may fair winds and following seas always abide with you.”

Best Online Meet-Up Photo: Audris Yeo ’11 and Caleb Goh ’23

“LAMP - an acrostic Law school’s quite a stressful journey; As difficult as it can be; Mentors make it easier; (Probably the free kopi)”

Best In-Person Photo: Victor David Lau ’16 and Joshua Goh Zemin ’23

“Lawyers are a bit like lamps; a little shady.” If you are keen to find out more about LAMP or join us as a Mentor, do drop us a note at

lawlink@nus.edu.sg.

NUS LAW RANKED AMONGST TOP 10 LAW SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD

In the latest report by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2021, NUS Law was ranked amongst the top 10 law schools in the world, and number one in the Asia-Pacific region. Having risen consistently in the rankings over the last decade, we are proud to have retained our position as the leading law school in Asia and reaffirmed our position in the legal fraternity and status as Asia’s Global Law School.

NUS has also been placed eighth globally for the study of Law, by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by subject. Placed 12th in the previous ranking, we rose four notches to become the first Asian university to achieve a top 10 position in the subject. Responding to the announcements, Dean of NUS Law, Professor Simon Chesterman said: “Rankings are to be taken with a grain of salt, but our rise over the past decade from 22nd to joining the top ten reflects the outstanding work of the entire NUS Law community. It’s a measure of the calibre of our students, the drive and energy of our faculty and staff, and above all, the achievements of our alumni who make us so proud. This recognition of our efforts will create more opportunities for all our graduates, as well as raising the profile of our research. Yet there’s no room for complacency. We continue to strive for excellence, even as we push to be a more inclusive and diverse community of students and scholars.”

NUS Law #10

2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject

NUS Law #8

2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject

NUS LAW RECEIVED A PRESIDENT’S CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION AT THE NATIONAL DAY AWARDS

NUS Law was recognised on 4 April 2021 at the National Day Awards with a President’s Certificate of Commendation for our contributions to the successful hosting of the Singapore Convention on Mediation Signing Ceremony and Conference in 2019. Professor Joel Lee, who led this initiative for NUS and who has done so much to promote mediation in Singapore and abroad, represented the faculty to receive the award. Our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Joel Lee and everyone who contributed to this important milestone.

(L-R) The President’s Certificate of Commendation and the group photo of award recipients (Professor Joel Lee, second from left)

19TH KWA GEOK CHOO DISTINGUISHED VISITORS LECTURE

NUS Law hosted the 19th Kwa Geok Choo Distinguished Visitors Lecture, titled “Negligence and Autonomy”, with Professor Donal Nolan via Zoom on 30 September 2021. NUS Law established the “Kwa Geok Choo Distinguished Visitors Programme” in 2012 as one of the several initiatives to pay tribute to the late Madam Kwa Geok Choo, wife of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Under this programme, leading law academics are invited to teach an intensive course at NUS for 3 weeks and to deliver a public lecture on a topical legal issue. Past visitors included Gary Born, Christine Chinkin, Matthew Harding, Ran Hirschl, Michael Klausner, Peter Mirfield, Francis Reynolds, Cheryl Saunders and Mark Tushnet. The lecture will also be published in the Singapore Journal of Legal Studies in 2022.

The session was chaired by Professor David Tan, with a virtual audience of almost 150 participants. A lively discussion followed the lecture, with Singapore Court of Appeal decisions like ACB v Thomson Medical Pte Ltd and Anwar Patrick Adrian v Ng Chong & Hue LLC being discussed. Donal Nolan is Professor of Private Law in the University of Oxford and the Francis Reynolds and Clarendon Fellow and Tutor in Law at Worcester College, Oxford. He has taught tort law, contract law, international trade law, restitution and commercial law, and has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Florida, the University of Trento and Sichuan University. He is a Senior Fellow of the University of Melbourne, a founding member of the World Tort Law Society, and an elected member of the American Law Institute. Professor Nolan’s research is focused primarily on the law of tort, and in particular on the law of negligence, the law of private nuisance and the interface between tort law and public law. His illustrious list of publications comprises close to 100 books, articles, book chapters and case notes.

BOOK LAUNCH

We, the Robots? Regulating Artificial Intelligence and the Limits of the Law

Professor Simon Chesterman’s new book, We, The Robots? Regulating Artificial Intelligence and the Limits of the Law, was launched at NUS Law on 2 November 2021. Several expert panellists who attended this launch included Mr Yeong Zee Kin ’97, Assistant Chief Executive, Data Innovation & Protection, at the Infocomm Media Development Authority; Ms Arianne Jimenez, Privacy and Public Policy Manager APAC at Facebook; Ms Sunita Kannan, Data & AI Solutions Lead Asia (APJ &ANZ) at Microsoft Headquarters; and Professor Tanel Kerikmäe from the Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia, and Professor Chen Tsuhan, Deputy President (Research & Technology) at NUS, who joined via Zoom.

Professor Chesterman shared at the launch how current laws are dealing with AI and what other rules and institutions to govern AI are needed – including the role that AI might play in regulating itself. Though the prospect of AI pushing beyond the limits of the law may seem remote, these measures are useful now – and will be essential if it ever does. The panellists also shared their insights on the subject and the challenges hindering proper regulation.