1. What were some of the challenges you faced?

One main challenge I faced was not knowing what to look out for when reviewing agreements as I had no experience reading agreements. This made it hard for me to research and understand the transactions from the clients’ perspectives. However, Andrea, Zhi Tian and Yuho, were always ready and willing to help me improve my work – they entertained questions, explained foreign concepts, and gave lots of constructive feedback. 

2. What was the highlight of your internship experience?

The entire internship was very enriching and memorable, despite us having to work from home due to COVID-19.

One highlight of my internship was when Andrea gave the interns a crash course on the mechanics of a term sheet. She briefed us on the transaction before explaining what the client wants, how can we achieve it and why a term sheet is needed. She then went through the term sheet clause by clause, occasionally cueing Zhi Tian and Yuho to share their thoughts and making sure that we were following her. That was a valuable discussion not just because of the knowledge I gained, but also because I saw how the team worked seamlessly together.

Another highlight for me was attending clients’ meetings. The meetings allowed me to understand clients’ needs and the mechanics of the transactions. What also inspired me was how the lawyers proposed solutions to clients’ concerns and advised them effectively. This showed me that the lawyers really put a lot of thought into each transaction and wanted to provide the best advice to the clients. 

3. What did you learn?

I was fortunate to be involved in a variety of legal work during my short stint with AEI. I learnt a lot from drafting to research. While these skills were taught in school, applying them to each transaction did not come easy as every transaction is unique and we had to customise the drafting to each client’s needs. This made me realise that being a good corporate lawyer requires adaptability, wits and dedication. The lawyers at AEI possessed these qualities and more. Interacting with them also made me realise that their dedication stems from a love for what they do. This was different and inspiring as seeing them enjoy what they do encourages me to pursue my areas of interest.

4. What advice would you provide to future interns?

• Keep a daily log to maximise learning. This will help you to reflect on your work and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek feedback.

• Read up and read often to keep abreast of new developments. This will help you to understand why certain regulations are in place and anticipate future needs and challenges.

5. Did you enjoy your time?

Definitely. Apart from being great mentors, the people at AEI are welcoming and helpful. I felt included and comfortable learning from everyone and really enjoyed the learning process. I am thankful that I got to experience AEI’s nurturing, collaborative and passionate culture and am sure the experience I gained will stay with me for a long time. 

1.     What were some of the challenges you faced?

One of the first challenges I faced at the start of my internship was simply trying to understand what was going on in a particular transaction or agreement because I was unfamiliar with many of the business terms used. In the first few days of the internship, I was tasked with researching various valuation methods and reviewing a Series A term sheet, and had to quickly acquaint myself with the relevant financial and economic jargon, which I found very fascinating and has fuelled my interest in finance!

Another major challenge was learning how to be more in touch with the practical concerns and realities of the clients. I realised that there were often gaps in my thought processes and considerations due to my lack of practical experience beyond the relatively more theoretical perspectives prevalent in school. Fortunately, I received excellent mentorship from everyone on the AEI Legal team every step of the way, and their guidance has helped me to gain a better sense of how to review and think about issues more effectively and thoroughly.

The learning curve was indeed quite steep, but this was precisely what made my internship very rewarding!

2.     What was the highlight of your internship experience?

The highlight of my internship experience was sitting in on the board of directors and audit committee meetings of a listed company. This gave me the opportunity to see first-hand how such meetings are conducted, and allowed me to apply my newly acquired, albeit very limited, knowledge of financial terms. I got a glimpse into the company’s overall business operations which was very eye-opening and enlightened me to the behind-the-scenes processes that take place in a business. I also gained valuable insights into how COVID-19 has been impacting companies and how businesses are strategising and innovating to adapt. What was particularly interesting as well was an observation made by the board that while COVID-19 may have exposed certain underlying weaknesses in the business, this could also present opportunities for growth.

On the whole, I am very glad to have gotten exposure to different areas of work in various sectors and industries beyond the purely legal realm. This has enhanced my general knowledge and awareness of a broad range of matters and helped me to develop a more holistic understanding and appreciation of the law in context. It was also just very exciting to hear from experienced industry insiders, and I certainly hope some of their brilliant business acumen has rubbed off on me!

3.     What did you learn?

One of the most valuable takeaways for me was learning how to analyse both legal and non-legal issues from a practical perspective. Although I am far from being able to think like a good corporate lawyer at this point, this internship has given me a much clearer direction as to how to become one. It also got me thinking about the fundamentals of corporate law and the purpose behind the work I was doing.

Through the contract drafting, reading and research work that I did in collaboration with the team, I got the chance to see the sort of thought process and analysis that go on at different stages of a transaction. I learnt how to approach problems in a more focused and systematic manner, and developed a better sense of judgement in evaluating issues, whether in drafting a software service agreement or an employee share option plan or preparing a framework for legal analysis.

One of the things I also discovered was the breadth of knowledge a corporate lawyer required. The work often involved clients from different industries and backgrounds, and I found it difficult to fully appreciate their perspectives and objectives without understanding the full context of the work. I realised that in order to be an effective corporate lawyer, one needs to have a strong grasp of a multitude of disciplines, or at least be able to learn very quickly, and it is a must to be conversant on business and finance.

Another learning point for me was the importance of keeping up to date with the latest developments, from technology and finance to socio-political issues, due to the interconnectedness of the law with almost every aspect of society and life. This also made me recognise that corporate lawyers add value to clients beyond just providing legal services.

4.     What advice would you provide to future interns?

• Make full use of every opportunity to observe, learn and read up on the things you do not understand. Every bit of knowledge will come in handy, and you will gradually discover how they fit into the bigger picture.

• Take notes and make a list of the work that you have done to consolidate and review your learning. This would also help you to identify the gaps in your understanding.

• It is true what they say in law school, more often than not, there would not be a clear answer to the problem you are trying to solve, no matter how much research you do – because if there was, there probably would not have been a problem. Instead, the solution is being able to weigh and evaluate all relevant information judiciously and creatively, which would probably become more intuitive with experience, and to craft the best possible solution for the client while managing uncertainties effectively.

5.     Did you enjoy your time?

I absolutely enjoyed my internship at AEI Legal! It was a very meaningful and eye-opening learning journey for me. It was truly a pleasure to work with and learn from professionals who are passionate about and excellent at what they do. The work that I did was always stimulating, and I was given many opportunities to sharpen and build confidence in my legal skills. Despite working from home, it was easy to communicate and collaborate with everyone, and I also made new friends with my fellow interns!

I am deeply grateful to everyone on the AEI Legal team for their thorough and constant guidance, for being ever willing to impart their wealth of experience, and for always valuing my input. Their mentorship has been invaluable and I could not have wished for a better team to be on. 

1. What were some of the challenges you faced?

One challenge I faced was being unfamiliar with the nature of the work I did, particularly in proofreading. But thanks to the mentorship I received at the firm, I learnt a lot about the various stages of proofreading to produce something tailored for the client’s needs. It became a more meaningful exercise in surveying the client’s transactional landscape – searching for the hazards concealed in the wording of the clauses, and the hazards that arose by virtue of something missing.

2. What was the highlight of your internship experience?

The highlight of my experience was being present throughout the various stages of ongoing deals and having my work contributing to their progress. Because the work I received was indeed live work, I received immediate feedback on my edits, research, and recommendations and that gave me a practical perspective grounded in the context of the deal. Listening to phone calls with clients also provided insight into what each deal concerned and about the people involved. All of this made my work feel more significant knowing it wasn’t going into the void but towards the completion of something that would bring value to someone.

3. What did you learn?

I learned more about the skills needed to be a good corporate lawyer. Providing value to a client requires one to be a very well-rounded individual – being able to see the little details and the overall fit of the clauses in a document, being able to read the dynamics of the parties, being an advocate for the client at

the negotiating table, and also being knowledgeable and trustworthy enough to advise on matters that aren’t strictly within one’s specialisation. Corporate lawyers wear many hats and it’s the realisation of how multifaceted their role in business truly is that was my biggest takeaway this internship.

4. What advice would you provide to future interns?

To give better work, it is crucial to put yourself in the shoes of the client by understanding the industry they work in, the people they deal with, and their desires and fears. Remember that the law does not exist for its own purposes but to keep the world turning. Also, very importantly, you should be curious about the work - you never know what you’ll learn when you ask questions.

5. Did you enjoy your time?

I really did! At AEI Legal, there’s a strong, healthy culture of mentorship and interesting, important work to be done. It’s an experience all interns want but don’t always get and I’m very grateful to have spent my time there.