Pupillage Programme Testimonials

Ask any lawyer about their pupillage experience and they will likely tell you it was one of the most challenging periods of their life. Reflecting on my pupillage experience with the Firm, I can say it was admittedly difficult. However, it was also eye-opening, exciting, and rewarding.

The people here are great and you are given the chance to work with leading lawyers in the industry. They will push, question, and challenge you. However, they will also guide, support, and value your opinion. Even as a pupil, I felt welcomed and treated like a valued member of the team.

The work given and opportunities provided are also another amazing aspect of pupillage at the Firm. Throughout my pupillage, I was given the chance to work on global deals, cross-border advice, major projects and large internal restructurings. I attended numerous pieces of training, organised across the Baker McKenzie network and even had client contact during the early days of my pupillage.

Looking back, I can safely say that my pupillage experience has provided me with a strong foundation for my career in the tax, trade, and wealth management practice group of the Firm.

Even if I could go back in time, there is nothing I would change about my pupillage journey at Wong & Partners. Yes, I will not deny that the nine months were indeed fast-paced, demanding, and the learning curve often felt steeper than the time I climbed Mount Kinabalu. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I can safely say that as much as it was challenging, it was also rewarding, insightful, and certainly an integral part of my growth.

At Wong & Partners, my pupillage experience lacked nothing. Apart from being equipped with unlimited access to knowledge resources, learning materials and top-notch administrative support, we were also given ample training and guidance from international Baker McKenzie training sessions as well as tailor-made sessions for juniors of the Firm. Additionally, I was blessed to be able to work with and learn from, leading industry lawyers and team members at the Firm who were personally invested in my professional development.

"If you never try, you never know". The opportunity to rotate to different practice groups was crucial in my pupillage journey. It gave me the time and exposure necessary to make an informed choice about the future of my career and to break preconceived notions about what my interests actually were.

Finally, the pupillage programme at Wong & Partners also meant international exposure and the opportunity to be involved in groundbreaking work. Even as a pupil, I was given the chance to assist in pioneering the discussion around complex and unique legal questions which enabled the operationalisation of Malaysia's first voluntary carbon exchange; be involved in large cross-border M&A deals; and work with some of the most prominent names in the industry.

Now, I can understand when people say that your pupillage is more than just a stepping stone or a rite of passage. It is a purposeful process and is ultimately what you make of it. At Wong & Partners, you are provided with all you need to make it a successful one.

Looking back, my pupillage experience with the firm has been incredibly rewarding, from rotating into four different practice groups, the rigorous training and steep learning curve to the fun social events that build lifelong relationships.

I distinctly remember enjoying my rotation; other than the exposure to the different areas of law and the nature of each practice group, the partners and seniors here have been very welcoming and nurturing - they've provided ample guidance, shared their experiences and made me feel as if I was part of the team from the very start. Truly, the strong culture of collegiality at Wong & Partners is the best part of the firm.

Also, being a part of a global firm has presented me with so many opportunities to continuously learn from and work with the brightest minds across the globe - the firm invests in its people and has done so much in providing me with the support and encouragement that I needed at different stages of my career. All in all, the experience is like none other and I could not imagine starting my career elsewhere.

The pupillage programme in Wong & Partners is structured in such a way that the pupils are provided with opportunities to rotate across the different departments, which I find extremely helpful as a fresh graduate.

The opportunities that were presented to me as a pupil/junior have been fundamental and have benefitted many like myself to gain the necessary experience and confidence at the outset of our careers. The partners and seniors have also provided valuable support in moments of doubt and it's always comforting to know that there will be guidance when needed.

During my pupillage with Wong & Partners, two things stood out as being of particular importance and value to my personal growth and professional career.

First and foremost, the people. As a pupil, I was given the chance to work closely with some of the most innovative, professional and dedicated legal minds in the industry and to assist and contribute to a variety of matters. I was able to shadow them as part of my day-to-day and the open door policy within the firm also afforded me plenty of opportunities to have meaningful discussions and impact on the services provided. Opportunities like these do not come by very often, especially for those who have just joined the legal fraternity.

Secondly, intrinsic fulfilment. Everyone in the firm is instilled to take great care and personal ownership of their deliverables, including the pupils. This institution is extremely important because not only does it help in shaping a routine and discipline amongst the juniors, it plays an important role in developing a sense of ownership, responsibility and belonging within the firm.

These 9 months that I have spent as a pupil in Wong & Partners are nothing short of rewarding and plays a momentous role in my transition from being a pupil to a junior lawyer within the firm.

Pupillage at Wong & Partners provided the opportunity to work on many exciting and cutting-edge legal issues, complemented with guidance from lawyers who are knowledgeable and leaders in their field. The people factor is the aspect of my pupillage experience that I appreciate the most. Despite the challenging and fast-paced environment at a large firm with an international outlook, the lawyers and staff that I have worked with remain approachable, friendly, and forever ready to help, share, and provide mentorship.

I have also found the rotational system for pupils at Wong & Partners to be beneficial, as it was an opportunity to explore various areas of law and to obtain insight into how different branches and practice areas of law interrelate and interact with one another. Wong & Partners' global outlook also provides the opportunity to work with people across the globe, and each person that I have come across, be it a lawyer from a fellow Baker McKenzie office, an international client, or an expert in a field outside of the law, have been interesting and brings with them something worth learning.