Alumni Stories

“When I was in the market for an LLM to pursue, I came across the unique programme provided by SMU and Queen Mary University of London to obtain a dual qualification. I saw it as an opportunity not to be missed; to gain a comprehensive understanding of cross-jurisdictions dynamics through a hands-on approach, living in two major commercial and financial hubs. It is fair to say that I am now an Italian qualified lawyer educated in three different jurisdictions.”

“Coming from Italy, the Singapore legal landscape was a thrill and I found more common ground with civil law than expected. Whether you are looking to relocate to Asia or simply boost your profile with an international outlook, you won’t find any better opportunity than SMU's Dual LLM programme.”

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"The LLM programme has helped by introducing me to the latest developments in areas of law that are relevant to my work, including topics such as blockchain and governance — to help explore the impact of new technology on business and commerce. The part-time option meant that I could continue to work while learning. There were also subjects focused on the Intellectual Property (IP) side of things which is relevant to my work as an in-house lawyer with a technology company. Since we are a Software as a Service (SaaS) company, it is important to understand how to safeguard our IP assets. "

"The depth of the subjects that were taught amazed and humbled me as I found myself constantly learning new things, even in areas that I would consider myself well-versed in. Be curious, and always go in-depth with each course of study even if it may not be completely relevant to your work. This way, you can take away more from the course, and walk away with the knowledge that will prove useful in the future."

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"I decided to choose SMU because they offer interdisciplinary modules which are more practical and realistic. I can apply the knowledge gained from school in my work and create new regulations that keep up to speed with the fast-changing technological developments. I learnt the legal skills and the components of an MBA within my programme and had the liberty to select courses from the Accountancy, Management, and Data Science departments. While at SMU, my modules provided me with a background in fintech laws and regulations. I became highly interested in the subject and decided to pursue it in further detail."

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“I am currently in a multinational company focused on client engagements, product sales, and cross-border contracts. The SMU LLM programme gave me a good foundation in various aspects of contract drafting, especially in terms of risk mitigation and intellectual properties protection.”
“My observation is that legal drafting is pretty much like computer coding. For a start, both solicitors and programmers need to consider the overall structure or architecture of their approach. Both then go on to build a library of reusable function calls and applicable clauses in a way to increase efficiency, and address the definition of terms or variable declarations in a centralised place — which goes to show how relatable programming is to drafting.”

“I’d like to leverage my knowledge and training to deepen the domains I’m interested in. This constant search for a professional niche and personal development keeps me energised. I hope my peers find their own pathway that leads to career satisfaction, as I have.”

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“When my son finished his undergraduate studies at SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business, his transformation was palpable in the way he expressed himself, and how he framed discussion points. I told myself that studying in SMU for my LLM may not be a bad idea. I browsed the modules offered which I thought were forward-looking and future relevant. I believe I made the right choice in SMU with its excellent professors, modern facilities, and convenient location.”

"I particularly liked the comparative approach taken in each module, which enabled us to discuss relevant legal issues from local to regional to global perspectives. The modules I took made my development holistic as they transcended legal matters – learnings which I shared with my team and applied at work when I returned to corporate.”

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"It was a privilege for me to be enrolled in the SMU LL.M. programme. The curriculum is up-to-date, covering topics relevant to the modern business world like fintech and data protection. I enjoyed learning from the professors, who are experts in their field. It was also very interesting to hear the diverse perspectives and approaches shared by my fellow students as ours was a truly cosmopolitan cohort. My most memorable experience was the "rite of passage" all of us all went through to be accredited as professional mediators."

“It allowed me to test different ideas in various areas of law, which tests may be of far greater risk profile if executed at work. This then allows me to revisit similar issues at work with new perspective and knowledge gathered from those tests.”

“There is always a new area of law that you can learn and develop yourself in, to move into a new practice. Being able to practically apply what one learns is of immense value, particularly when time is a premium in the profession.”

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"The classes were made up of motivated students from all around the world, many with a substantial legal background. I was glad to be around excellent classmates and teammates, without whom I would not have completed all the tasks that we were required to work on."

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"The experience is essential for prospective students from Taiwan to build a big picture of their personal vision by exploring beyond their comfort zones. “Thanks to the specialisation in ‘Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia’ provided in the LLM programme, I acquired a wealth of new knowledge on emerging legal fields such as IT Law, Fintech, Financial Markets, Monetary Policy, and Digital Economy. It thus allows me to think of new projects and gain easier access to new legal fields. For example, I recently established a new virtual law firm in the virtual world, to provide legal consultancy on IPR issues."

"Looking back, studying law in Singapore is truly a milestone. I think I would never start a new trajectory or deal with a matter that is still evolving in the context of a rapidly evolving technology and innovation environment if I didn't study at SMU."

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"Before embarking on the LL.M. programme at SMU, I practiced in Korea for more than seven years. I felt like I was flat-lining in my career and was unsure about the future direction I ought to take. However, with this programme, I regained my passion for the law and the hunger for new challenges that I lost. Every class started with curiosity about the points raised in the assigned readings and ended with gratification of my intellectual thirst. Moreover, I was able to make wonderful friends from around the world. I firmly believe that SMU’s LL.M. programme is a doorway to success for me, and I’m sure that the same will be true for others."

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"Connections between Asia and Europe are intensifying, with a knock-on effect on the need for cooperation among individual countries located on these continents. The LL.M. programme at SMU aims to instil a global outlook and prepare the international lawyer for the important role she has to play in building new bridges between different parts of the world and different areas of practice.

I am glad to have had the chance to be part of this programme which has given me the valuable opportunity to acquire relevant knowledge and skills across the fields of law business. I now feel much better equipped to compete in a globalized working environment."

"Before joining the LL.M. programme at SMU, I had already obtained two law degrees – a Master of Laws in the U.S. and Juris Doctor in Korea. In contrast to those two degrees, SMU’s programme gave me an opportunity to think about and approach legal issues from a wide variety of angles, including non-legal ones. Class activities were challenging, fun and promised growth in the legal profession. I feel privileged to have been in a cohort with brilliant legal professionals from a range of other jurisdictions, who made every discussion an enriching experience. The Kwa Geok Choo Law Library is fantastically well-equipped with all the materials students need. I would definitely recommend SMU’s LL.M. programme to friends who would like to further develop themselves with a view to reinvigorating their career. It has been a life-changing experience!"

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"The world needs legal professionals who master business. The ones who are only familiar with law are no longer suitable for today’s complex business environment. For any candidate who plan to learn law from a business perspective and learn business from a legal perspective, SMU LL.M. is the best choice!"

"In order to become a global lawyer and assist the expansion of multinational businesses, it is mandatory for one to have an exposure to the ASEAN region. SMU, while located in the heart of one of the most relevant financial hubs of the world, offers deep insights about this fast-growing environment and teaches its students how to better guide your way to legal certainty in the region. This LL.M experience will definitely assist me to become more qualified and prepared as a cross-border legal professional in the future."

"Our professors brought into the classroom rich practical knowledge; they taught us not just about the theory of law but also how it’s used in practice. I learnt practical skills at SMU, such as drafting contracts, which helped me to quickly adapt to work when I started my first job at a law firm. We had senior lawyers and bankers from different jurisdictions in my classroom; it was very interesting to work together in group projects and to learn from each other."

"The programme provided regular networking opportunities to engage with SMU alumni from different backgrounds and identify different career options. These opportunities were beneficial for my job search as YPHSL invited many guest speakers, usually senior practitioners to attend these events. It was a good opportunity to network and pick up career advice at the same time. During my LLM and JD studies, I became familiar with YPHSL and learned that SMU provides the best support for students. I believe that I am in good hands continuing my studies at SMU, which is why I chose to pursue my PhD with SMU as well."

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"The SMU LLM was an intellectual challenge that really added to my knowledge base and broadened my experience. The academics are subject matter experts in their own right and many are well respected business professionals in addition. The city campus location suited me as did the strong business and practical orientation of the subjects taught. It adds to my future career options. I learned a lot from my fellow students, many of whom are from diverse geographies and career experience. The course is taught from a regional and international perspective and helps you to understand the similarities and differences between the legal jurisdictions. I appreciated the fresh perspective of the SMU experience, and I enjoyed the LLM from start to finish!"

"I have always felt grateful that I had the opportunity to be admitted to the LL.M. programme in SMU, which enriched me with relevant knowledge and skills. To participate in those highly interactive and stimulating seminars not only trained me to speak up and share ideas in public with courage, but also helped me adapt to the real working environment well in advance. Most importantly, I have established precious friendship from different countries with cultural diversity that I will cherish all my life."

"I joined the LL.M. programme in Singapore in 2015 and lived my lifetime experience of being a student again. I had an opportunity to pursue specific areas of interest that I developed during my career: cross-border transactions and foreign investment law. The SMU LL.M. programme helped me to gain sophisticated business approach and understanding of doing cross-border business in Asia, regulatory framework, transactional integration and importance of multicultural legal teams. I am grateful to the fundamental experience I had gained and new professional society I joined for my professional and personal growth. Thank you SMU for connecting all our diverse experiences together."

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"I found the SMU's LLM programme beyond helpful in the development of my career. The school has a unique interactive pedagogy which facilitates experiential learning and sharing of valuable insight amongst classmates with diverse working backgrounds. The fundamentals of law was also emphasised so I was able to focus what I needed to excel in an academic setting with a certain specialisation. The course delivery, faculty and staff were intellectually stimulating and jurisprudentially enlightening. Overall, my study in SMU greatly improves my productivity at work in assessing legal risks in the banking industry. "

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"The SMU Master of Laws programme has enabled me a broader context in business and the world through international laws and regulations. The understanding gained has significantly improved my ability to reason and respond to situations at work and in my personal life. The relationships and knowledge gained through the programme have afforded me the opportunities to volunteer and support communities at work and at SMU, including the SMU Alumni Association, the SMU Office of Alumni Relations as an Alumni Ambassador, and as a SMU Mentor. I particularly appreciated the Socratic teaching approach for the programme which allows the teacher and students to interact and share their viewpoints, and learn from one another in a structured manner. "

"I want to leverage my legal knowledge to bridge the gap between the law and technology, help make emerging technology more accessible and applicable and thus, allow it to reach its utmost potential."

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