Conventus Law (CL): Why did you choose a career in law?
Sharon Lin (SL): As a child growing up in the 1980s, my career aspirations wavered almost on a daily basis, from entertaining the masses as a singer to exploring the universe an astronaut. Perhaps this was a result of spending way too much time in front of the television! Law was definitely not something I ever imagined myself practising.
As I matured and entered young adulthood, I often found myself playing the role of peacemaker, both at home and at school. I enjoyed identifying unique solutions to problems and resolving conflicts amicably. Perhaps this led me to study law at university, which drew me in and eventually led to a career in law.
CL: What has been the biggest factor in your success?
SL: The biggest factor in my success has been to adopt a growth mindset.
As Professor Carol Dweck once said, having a growth mindset is essential for success. Research has shown that humans can be generally divided into two categories, those with fixed versus growth mindset. Most of us have a mix of both mindset. We go through life without being aware of what mindset we are adopting and as a result, we are often the victims of our own decisions.
For example, it can be daunting to embark on a new area of work, especially with billing pressures and matter deadlines. A person with a fixed mindset will be afraid of taking on this new opportunity as he is afraid of failure and embarrassment. On the other hand, a person with a growth mindset will view this challenge as an opportunity and should he encounter failure along the way, he is more likely to embrace it as a chance to learn and grow.
To quote Wesley Woo: “To succeed you must first improve, to improve you must first practice, to practice you must first learn, and to learn you must first fail.”
Being aware of the differences between a fixed and growth mindset allows me to stop and consider how I can change my approach and adopt a growth mindset when I am faced with a challenge. The process is certainly not an easy one, and requires effort to overcome negativity, but these steps help me to grow my practice successfully.
CL: What advice would you give to young lawyers today?
SL: My advice to young lawyers today: Have faith in yourself.
History stands witness to the fact that whenever we are faced with unprecedented circumstances, the resilient human race eventually adapts to the situation and I believe the young lawyers of today will also be able to do so as well.
The work environment is changing globally and this means reducing our office footprint. It might prove challenging for young lawyers who wish to drop by their senior’s office for an impromptu consultation or discussion. Also, young lawyers may find it difficult to “switch off” while working remotely due to the blurring of work-life boundaries and this might have an impact on their overall wellbeing.
Some of the steps that one can take to maintain that work-life boundary include:
(a) Create a dedicated workspace;
(b) Observe regular hours;
(c) Manage other people’s expectations and learn to say no;
(d) Take a lunch break;
(e) Plan post-workday activities and do them.
“The law practice a decade ago operated mainly as a brick-and-mortar firm where face-to-face meetings were the norm, and all correspondence had to be printed and kept in physical files. The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled the need for the legal profession to embrace technology. This included moving to virtual engagement with clients, coordinating the shift to hybrid working, and doing business development and conducting trainings virtually”. Sharon Lin, Partner, Dispute Resolution, Withers KhattarWong
CL: How has the legal industry changed since you started as a young lawyer?
SL: The law practice a decade ago operated mainly as a brick-and-mortar firm where face-to-face meetings were the norm, and all correspondence had to be printed and kept in physical files. The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled the need for the legal profession to embrace technology. This included moving to virtual engagement with clients, coordinating the shift to hybrid working, and doing business development and conducting trainings virtually.
With virtual court hearings now, it is somewhat strangely exciting and satisfying to nail a court argument while wearing my bedroom slippers instead of my usual pair of Ferragamo shoes!
Are there any qualities a lawyer should possess if they want to become a partner?
There are at least three qualities that one should possess if he/she wants to be considered for partnership in a law firm: excellent legal skills, great client service and an entrepreneurial mindset.
The most challenging one is probably the last one for most lawyers progressing to become partners in a law firm. The ability to find and retain clients is not something that is taught in law school.
CL: What do you enjoy most about being a lawyer?
SL: From devising a trial strategy to finding creative solutions for my clients’ problems in a mediation setting, my job as a lawyer is intellectually rewarding and emotionally fulfilling. I am privileged to be entrusted with this role by my clients.
What are your personal interests and passions outside lawyering? And what do you to do relax and recharge?
I love exploring new places and make it a point to visit a new country each year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the exotic places that I had visited include Morocco, Montenegro, Iceland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The world is full of interesting people, beautiful landscapes, incredible food, amazing music and different cultures. Travelling helps me to relax my mind and soul. Each time I return from a trip, my perspective on life has changed. I usually enjoy self-guided trips and getting lost in a foreign country is quite common and certainly a thrill.
Unfortunately, international travel is out of the question due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation though I hope the situation gets better in time. I can only resign to my fate of being a local tourist at the moment.
In conjunction with the activities and events taking place around the upcoming Singapore Convention Week, Sharon will be speaking at a Withers webinar on shifting cultures and mindsets in International Mediation.
For further information, please contact:
Sharon Lin, Partner, Dispute Resolution, Withers KhattarWong
sharon.lin@withersworldwide.com
