Alvin was given the opportunity to go on an international assignment where he spent some time with a Japanese law firm in Tokyo. The secondment experience left an indelible impression on Alvin and he shares his thoughts.

1. Share with us a memorable experience from your secondment to Tokyo, Japan?
   Two experiences stand out, each sandwiching my time in Tokyo.
   On my first day at the host secondment firm, I was asked to introduce myself in front of the entire firm of a few hundred lawyers and staff. My command of the Japanese language was not so good, and I nervously practised my opening lines over and over again. Thankfully the practice paid off, and the introduction went well, so much so that people started conversing with me in fast and furious Japanese which I couldn't understand at all!
   My last week in Tokyo was in early March, just before the sakura season. Thanks to a tip from my colleagues, I managed to see kawazu-zakura, an early blooming variety of sakura, in Yoyogi Park in downtown Tokyo. It was a wonderful experience, and a lovely parting gift.
    
2. How has the secondment experience changed your perspective and helped you to grow professionally and personally?
   Understanding how different cultures practice law is invaluable, and it was very insightful learning about Japanese perspectives on disputes and alternative dispute resolution. Personally, being immersed in a different culture and language for an extended period of time was a very enriching experience. The secondment experience also afforded me the opportunity to reflect on my last five years in practice, and how I would like to shape my legal career in next 5 years.
    
3. What is your most endearing memory of WongPartnership?
   Being part of an Austin Powers & Elvis Presley performance at my first Firm Trip in Macau, and our practice group won the prize for best performance!
    
4. What motivates you at work?
   Curiosity - finding out the why and how behind the facts and the law. Lawyering - creatively solving problems and crafting persuasive arguments. Adrenaline - doing the best for the client and winning the case.
    
5. WongPartnership in three words.
   Innovative. Challenging. Rewarding.

Andrew is a home-grown talent who started his legal career with the firm as a pupil and has since risen through the ranks to head up our Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. He shares his thoughts on the Firm and career advice for law students and young students.

1. How did you decide that WongPartnership is the firm for you?
   I was called to the bar during a less than ideal period of time. The confluence of the Asian Financial Crisis, and a rush for qualification before the effects of the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules kicked in, meant that there were too many new lawyers and too few jobs. I consider myself fortunate to be retained by the Firm and I chose to stay on all these years because of the people. I was blessed with good mentors and colleagues that made an otherwise tough profession a lot easier to bear.
    
2. As someone who joined WongPartnership fresh out of law school and developed your career with the firm, what career advice do you have for law students and young lawyers?
   At the risk of sounding cliché, I believe many young lawyers need to start by knowing themselves. Some overestimate their own abilities, and cannot quite keep the pace. Others cannot quite adapt, and are unable to accept that their strengths may be better suited for a different type of legal work. Ultimately, just because you come from the same cohort does not mean you all have to run the same course. Not everyone will progress at the same pace. Therefore, listen to the guidance from your seniors and partners. Even though such conversations can be uncomfortable at times, they will help you find your footing in the Firm.
    
3. What can new lawyers or trainees expect of WongPartnership?
   A steep learning curve… but it will be worth it.
    
4. What is your most endearing memory of WongPartnership?
   There are so many. What I have always thought is endearing about the firm is our ability to laugh at ourselves in the name of good fun, especially during our retreats. For me, turning up in trousers three sizes too small, and strutting to the beat of Stayin’ Alive as one of the Gibbs, was one lasting memory.
    
5. WongPartnership in three words.
   Simply the best.