Lin Qi

Taking strides towards the legal profession in Singapore

With the world constantly changing, law is becoming an increasingly dynamic field which demands agile thinkers capable of responding to unprecedented situations. As such, law graduates who have honed strong analytical, problem-solving, policy-analysis and comparative skills are best positioned to excel in the demanding legal profession.

Singapore Management University’s (SMU’s) School of Law’s Juris Doctor (JD) Law Degree programme bears SMU’s lauded hallmarks of holistic learning and active seminar-style teaching to nurture agile thinkers who can thrive in the legal profession.

First launched in 2009, the JD programme aims to equip mature and second-career students who have an aptitude and passion for the law with a strong academic foundation that will see them rise above and beyond the challenges in their careers.

It was a drive to pursue a legal career in Singapore that drew Lin Qi to SMU’s JD programme, a decision on which she has not looked back on. Graduates from the JD programme are eligible to sit for the Singapore Bar Examinations, given they graduate with the required grades, making the course a great option for legal professionals from overseas who wish to pursue a legal career in Singapore.

Previously an Associate Judge from China, Lin Qi had a strong desire to broaden her horizons. With the Associate of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China having increasingly important ties, she felt that pursuing a legal career in Singapore, an important hub within ASEAN and internationally, was a natural step in taking her career to the next level.

A journey that demands independent thinkers and hard workers

Becoming a judge takes more than just a law degree and a few years of experience in the courtroom. In today's legal milieu, judges need to be well-rounded individuals with a deep understanding of the law, a commitment to justice, and the ability to think on their feet.

Lin Qi’s experience as an Associate Judge provided a strong foundation in skills such as analysing issues within a dispute and paying attention to details. Such competencies are finetuned during the JD programme, during which students have to identify key issues in case studies or scenarios. Despite her experience, she admits that the JD journey was not without its challenges, especially when it came to mastering legalese in English instead of her native language of Chinese.

Additionally, Lin Qi found that the JD programme demanded more independent thinking in comparison to her previous experience as a student in China. “Instructors will help you to explore and are there to offer you advice, but it is up to you to decide on what to do on your studies, and come up with your own study plans,” she shares.

The challenges of her studies were compounded by the fact that Lin Qi had to take care of her infant son from her second year of studies. Still, with hard work and support from family and friends, Lin Qi successfully pushed through to the finish line.

“I really like Singapore and its people, food, weather and environment,” she says.

“Singaporeans are very friendly to international students, especially those who are not from English-speaking countries. There are infrastructures in place to help international students to blend into the local culture. As for Chinese students, they are already familiar with statutory law, they would find it easier to understand the Singapore legal system.”

Strong networking and career support

One of SMU’s strengths lies in the diverse backgrounds of students and professors. This veritable melting pot underscores the University’s seminar-style teaching to create a classroom that thrives off the sharing of perspectives and ideas that empowers the students’ learning experience.

In addition, SMU provides its students with strong support in embarking on the next step of their career path, with the SMU Postgraduate Career Service team ready to help students find interviews, internships, and career opportunities.

This support is compounded by the many legal and business practitioners who are invited to share their own unique experiences to enrich the learning of JD students. By tying in with law firms, companies, and the Singapore Legal Service for internship opportunities, students like Lin Qi rest assured that they are gaining valuable real-world experience within Singapore as part of their learning journey.

On Lin Qi’s part, she found that the networking opportunities offered by the JD programme helped her connect with the law community in Singapore, while the support of SMU’s Postgraduate Career Service team resulted in opportunities to gain first-hand exposure to law practice in Singapore. On top of that, she speaks highly of the career fairs and law fairs, as well as various forums, which were valuable platforms for students to have direct conversations with lawyers in Singapore.

The JD programme’s small class-size was also a strong plus for Lin Qi, who appreciated the patience of her professors and Ms Pixie Seet, Senior Programme Manager of the JD programme. Their willingness to provide any necessary help and guidance that she needed in her studies was pivotal to her success.

Despite the rigorous demands of juggling her studies with her personal life, Lin Qi understands that hard work goes hand in hand with recognising your personal limits.

“If you feel overwhelmed, just slow down and take a rest,” she encourages, affirming her belief that all this hard work will pay off with time.

“Five years from now, I expect I will have progressed significantly in my career and ambition of being a litigation lawyer and be making an even greater contribution. My career is a personal priority and I want to push myself hard to deliver the very best of my capabilities.”