Conventus Law: Why did you choose a career in law?
Ivan Cheong: I must confess it wasn’t out of any burning desire when I was young to be a lawyer. My mother was a lawyer and always said not to join the profession for the wrong reasons. Growing up, I realised I wasn’t very enthusiastic about math and science but found I had a knack for arguing and thought I’d apply for law school. Never looked back since.
CL: What has been the biggest factor in your success?
IC: I think having the right mentors, supportive colleagues and the ability to learn as a junior lawyer from amongst the best in the field has taught me much and grown my technical skills as a lawyer. Being able to thrive in an environment where I work with likeminded colleagues and being passionate about your area of practice has also been instrumental in building me to the lawyer that I am today.
CL: If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
IC: Honestly, nothing much. I would probably tell my younger self that family law can be a challenging but very rewarding practice and that it is meaningful. I would probably have taken family law as a module in law school.
CL: As a leader, how do you continue to grow and develop?
CL: I think as a leader, it is important to understand that you do not have all the answers or know best. I find that to lead, you have to do so by example and be open to different views and opinions. Being able to listen to members of the team, give advice and collaborate is something I find helps me develop while being able to guide my team and given clear directions.
Staying abreast of developments in my area of practice and keeping my skills upgraded through training is also an important area of growth. As I tell my juniors, we are never too old to learn and should not think we are.
“Technology and change is something which the industry has embraced and I believe we have become more effective for it. Both in terms of being able to deliver effective representation for our clients and the automation and reduction of certain administrative processes.”
Ivan Cheong, Partner, Divorce And Family Law, Withersworldwide
CL: What advice would you give to young lawyers today?
IC: Be inquisitive, work hard and never lose that sense of curiosity which motivated many to become lawyers in the first place. Above all, even when things seem to be going roughly or the daily grind of work seem to be taking a mental or emotional toil, never lose track of your moral compass. Integrity is key in our profession and it is better to take a breather and check in with friends or your support network for help than to compromise and risk your future.
CL: How has the legal industry changed since you started as a young lawyer?
IC: I think the pace of life and practice is much faster now. Previously, as a young lawyer, while email correspondence and taking instructions via email was already common place, clients generally preferred face to face meetings and there was a lot more paperwork. There was no hopping on zoom for calls and conversations over the phone were largely left for urgent updates.
These days, with the prevalence of social media and instant messaging platforms, the need to be readily contactable by clients is paramount along with the expectation that such advice can be dispensed speedily. The changes in the way we work that have been entrenched since Covid such as the ready adoption and utilisation of video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams mean that working hours can sometimes be longer as the lines blur between the conventional work and leisure boundaries.
Technology and change is something which the industry has embraced and I believe we have become more effective for it. Both in terms of being able to deliver effective representation for our clients and the automation and reduction of certain administrative processes.
“Not micromanaging and being able to train your team and to work together as a team is important if one wants to lead as a partner. It would also be important as a partner to have a business oriented mindset that is able to plan client engagement and to bring in the clients. Being able to do the work and being competent would be necessary traits in order to progress in your career. Being a partner however also means you are responsible for the livelihoods of members of your team and being equipped with the necessary skills to grow your practice be it by way of profile building or winning the work would be really helpful.”
Ivan Cheong, Partner, Divorce And Family Law, Withersworldwide
CL: How have you been challenged since becoming a partner?
IC: It’s been eight years since I’ve become a partner. I think the main challenges have been having to grow as a leader and lead a team instead of just focusing on doing the work and honing my technical expertise. There have also been additional responsibilities in terms of strategizing and planning for the business.
These are challenges that I relished and accept as part of my career development as it provides you with a broader perspective and encourages you to recognise the strengths of your teammates.
CL: Are there any qualities a lawyer should possess if they want to become a partner?
IC: I think this can be quite subjective. Just like there is no one route to success, there are no prescribed qualities that a lawyer must possess if they want to become a partner. I do feel that apart from having the necessary competency and expertise in your chosen area of practice, being able to lead a team and nurture your juniors such that you can entrust them with key areas of work for a case is essential.
Not micromanaging and being able to train your team and to work together as a team is important if one wants to lead as a partner. It would also be important as a partner to have a business oriented mindset that is able to plan client engagement and to bring in the clients. Being able to do the work and being competent would be necessary traits in order to progress in your career. Being a partner however also means you are responsible for the livelihoods of members of your team and being equipped with the necessary skills to grow your practice be it by way of profile building or winning the work would be really helpful.
CL: What do you enjoy most about being a lawyer?
IC: It may sound cliché but being able to help others in my chosen area of practice and knowing that clients have been able to pull through a difficult period of their lives and come out better is something I find immensely rewarding.
It’s knowing that apart from being able to make a living and put my skills to good use, the work I do is impactful and allows clients to move ahead with their lives, whether it is going through divorce proceedings or planning ahead before parties engage on the momentous life changing experience of marriage in the form of prenuptial agreements.
For further information, please contact:
Ivan Cheong, Partner, Withersworldwide
ivan.cheong@withersworldwide.com
Ivan Cheong is a partner in the divorce and family team in Singapore. He is a Family Law specialist with extensive experience in all areas of family law including contentious divorces, disputes over child custody, relocation of children, maintenance, division of matrimonial assets and family violence in the Family Justice Court (FJC) and Court of Appeal.
Ivan has been listed in the Doyle’s Guide for Leading Family & Divorce lawyers in Singapore since 2017 and is identified as a Leading lawyer in the same guide for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022. He has been named by the Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore’s Top 20 ‘Most Influential Lawyers aged 40 and under in 2018’ and is also identified as a Future Star in Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific from 2020 to 2022.
Full profile here.
