Experiencing the future of law, today
As seemingly every industry goes through rapid digital transformation, it's more important than ever for lawyers to keep up with the latest trends and technologies to provide the best representation for their clients. Legal professionals today must be aware of how Industry 4.0 impacts the world and their industry. By doing so, they can stay ahead of the curve and add greater value to the community.
Blockchain technology, for example, is slowly but surely revolutionising the world as we know it — and it is growing increasingly complex as its applications continue to expand. Recent SMU Master of Laws (LLM) in Cross-border Business and Finance Law in Asia graduate Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Quyen, is looking to specialise in the area of law relating to emerging technology — such as blockchain regulation.
She explains: “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.”
Future-proofing tomorrow’s legal professionals
In a world facing constant flux, where disruption is the new normal, future-proofing one’s legal career might appear to be an insurmountable task.
There is no doubt that technological advancements have had a profound impact on the legal profession. From the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in businesses to the effects of technology on the enforcement of intellectual property, technology has transformed how lawyers work. And as the pace of change continues to accelerate, legal professionals must keep abreast of new advancements.
For Quyen, who worked as a legal analyst prior to pursuing the LLM, acquiring skills that have developed in the legal field was a pathway for standing out in a highly competitive, globalised economy.
“As I began to realise that the practice of law was changing at a fast pace, parallel to the development of technology and the world, I decided it was time for me to go back to school and enrich myself with knowledge,” says Quyen, who graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the Vietnam National University.
Through her research of various advanced degree programmes, she realised that the SMU LLM offers “very thorough and up-to-date courses”.
“I received intensive training in Asian cross-border business and financial law through courses like Foreign Investment Law in Asia and Financial Regulation in Singapore, Hong Kong and Greater China,” she adds.
Most people think of law as a stable, recession-proof profession. But the field is becoming more volatile with the advent of rapid technological advances, corporate governance crackdowns, political instability, and economic uncertainty.
That's where a master’s degree in law comes in, according to Quyen. She recalls how the LLM programme kept students abreast of the latest trends in the legal profession through modules like Blockchain and Governance, and Asian and Global trends in Information Technology Law.
“Blockchain and Governance was a blast,” she candidly admits.
“I had the chance to study the underlying technology and the legal implications of blockchain technology and even designed a blockchain-based system with my classmates. Instead of drowning in heaps of theory, we enjoyed hands-on experience to better understand the subject.
Seizing opportunities amid challenges
When it comes to getting a world-class education, Singapore is often at the top of the list for students globally. And it’s no wonder why – the city-state boasts a stable political environment and a sophisticated legal system, which makes it an attractive destination for financial institutions and businesses seeking to establish a presence in Southeast Asia.
Quyen, a Vietnamese national, had similarly observed how Singapore’s transparent, efficient and reliable legal system made it a hub for the region, based on her experience as a legal assistant and in-house counsel. She had little doubt about choosing a university here to further her studies. Moreover, the similarities in culture, climate and cuisine between the two Southeast-Asian nations meant a smoother transition when she finally made the move.
But as easy as it was assimilating to life in Singapore, Quyen admits that SMU’s interactive pedagogy is very different from her undergraduate experience.
“I didn’t feel quite as comfortable approaching my professors during my bachelor's programme, as students were expected to keep a distance from faculty,” she recalls.
“At SMU, I was encouraged to voice my opinion, and the professors were always available to answer my questions.”
Quyen relates an occasion when she had asked her mergers and acquisitions professor a question just as their break time ended. To her astonishment, the professor stayed back after the class ended to provide her with an in-depth answer, even suggesting books for further research.
She remarks: “It was just an example of how dedicated our professors at SMU are, and I really appreciated it.
And although English was a lingua franca at work, Quyen reveals that studying law in English can be a challenge, due to nuanced terminology and having to understand complex judicial opinions. However, she overcame the language barrier, emerging from the experience with a newfound confidence in communicating in English.
Ultimately, the SMU Master of Laws programme is designed to nurture intellectual creativity and interdisciplinary thought, preparing students for the demands of a globalised, digital economy. Graduates will be able to thrive in leading law firms as well as in the region’s judicial institutions.
“The LLM programme has equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a transnational lawyer in Asia in this day and age, from communication and interpersonal skills to cross-border business and finance law and the law relating to emerging technology,” shares Quyen
“The eye-opening experiences I enjoyed allowed me to identify opportunities I wouldn’t have thought of, and thus, expanded my career opportunities immensely.