Fostering Excellence: Legal Community Advocates for Future Senior Counsel as Mentor Figures and Inspirations for Young Lawyers
In Singapore's legal arena, the esteemed title of senior counsel is no longer solely about individual prowess in the courtroom. Recent discussions among legal experts and practitioners suggest a paradigm shift in the criteria for appointing senior counsel, emphasizing qualities that extend beyond legal acumen.
Following Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon's announcement at the opening of the legal year on Jan 8, where he highlighted the need for "tangible contributions" to the development of Singapore law and the legal profession, legal minds are urging a broader perspective on what constitutes merit. In a departure from the traditional focus on experience and competence, the spotlight is now on fostering inclusive and supportive workplace cultures, mentorship initiatives, and voluntary educational contributions.
The role of a future senior counsel, according to experts interviewed by TODAY, should transcend individual achievements to encompass contributions to the legal profession, the industry, and the broader development of Singapore law. Associate Professor Eugene Tan from Singapore Management University emphasized the importance of applying skills for the greater good, urging senior counsels to go beyond personal achievements.
Constitutional lawyer Benjamin Joshua Ong, a lecturer at SMU's Yong Pung How School of Law, adds another dimension to the criteria. He suggests evaluating whether a potential senior counsel is regarded as a mentor and leader by younger lawyers, placing emphasis on creating a work environment free from harassment and bullying. Ong also emphasizes the creation of meaningful opportunities for junior colleagues to develop their skills as a crucial aspect of a senior counsel's contribution.
This shift in perspective seeks to align the prestigious title with a commitment to advancing the legal profession's ethos, creating a cohort of senior counsels who not only excel individually but also actively contribute to a supportive legal community. As the legal landscape evolves, the call for senior counsels to be mentors and inspirations to young lawyers underscores a commitment to holistic professional development and a healthier, more inclusive legal environment in Singapore.
In a transformative reevaluation of the criteria for appointing senior counsel in Singapore, legal experts are advocating for a holistic approach that goes beyond courtroom prowess. Alexander Woon from RHTLaw Asia highlights the demanding nature of the legal profession, especially for younger lawyers facing grueling working conditions. In response, the call for future senior counsels extends beyond legal expertise, emphasizing their ability to mentor, nurture, and foster respectful working environments.
Woon aligns this perspective with Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon's emphasis on enhanced mentorship and training in the legal profession, acknowledging the profession's diminishing attractiveness due, in part, to a lack of community and mentorship. As a pivotal figure in the legal landscape, a senior counsel's role would encompass not only legal excellence but also a commitment to guiding and inspiring the next generation.
Professor Leslie Chew from the Singapore University of Social Sciences adds another layer to the evolving criteria, envisioning future senior counsels as contributors to legal education. Beyond the confines of courtrooms and offices, they are expected to engage in teaching, formally or informally, and instill good values through personal example. Moreover, active involvement in pro bono cases and providing guidance to younger lawyers navigating professional challenges are seen as essential contributions.
Walter Silvester, a managing director at Silvester Legal law firm, emphasizes the need for refined criteria that include "dignity, decorum, and the ability to inspire others." This shift, he contends, is crucial for the profession and the younger generation of lawyers who can look up to senior counsels as role models. While acknowledging the importance of international law expertise among senior counsels, there's a consensus that a focus on domestic work should not be a disadvantage.
Concerns arise about potential neglect of domestic law if the spotlight is predominantly on international law expertise. Woon echoes this sentiment, cautioning against an exclusive focus on appointing senior counsels excelling in international law. As the legal sector seeks growth from international business, striking a balance to ensure the prominence of both domestic and international expertise among senior counsels is pivotal for the profession's vitality and inclusivity.
In the ongoing transformation of the criteria for senior counsel appointments in Singapore, legal experts stress the significance of balancing international expertise with a profound acknowledgment of domestic law's importance. While international law may carry glamour and financial allure, the realm of domestic law holds equal weight in shaping the rights and liabilities of everyday Singaporeans, according to Walter Silvester, a managing director at Silvester Legal law firm.
Silvester emphasizes the pivotal role of community law, encompassing areas like criminal and family law, as integral components affecting ordinary citizens. The call to recognize lawyers who substantially contribute to these fields underscores a commitment to addressing the legal needs of the local community.
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, in announcing changes to senior counsel criteria, acknowledges the myriad opportunities that come with the appointment, including advocacy on the international stage. The refined criteria aim to ensure that appointed senior counsels can competently represent Singapore alongside their international counterparts.
The Law Society of Singapore underscores the importance of benchmarking senior counsel against global standards, recognizing the reality of Singapore's lawyers operating in a globalized legal profession. This benchmarking, according to the Law Society, is crucial for maintaining and developing Singapore's stature as a legal hub.
Melvin Loh from Peter Low Chambers echoes the sentiment, viewing the refinements to the criteria as timely and understandable. He emphasizes the need for Singaporean senior counsels to be held to similar standards as their international counterparts, aligning with stringent appointment processes observed globally.
As the legal landscape evolves, this recalibration of senior counsel criteria seeks to strike a balance, ensuring that recognition extends not only to those excelling in international law but also to those making substantial contributions to the vital fabric of domestic law, thus fortifying Singapore's legal standing on the global stage.
In the evolution of senior counsel criteria in Singapore, a nuanced perspective is emerging—one that recognizes the equal importance of both international and domestic expertise. As the legal landscape undergoes transformation, the emphasis on the crucial role of domestic law becomes a cornerstone for fostering inclusivity and addressing the rights and liabilities of everyday Singaporeans.
Walter Silvester's advocacy for acknowledging community law underscores the broader impact of legal practices on ordinary citizens, emphasizing the need to recognize lawyers contributing significantly to fields like criminal and family law. This recalibration aligns with Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon's vision of senior counsels as competent representatives on the global stage, equipped to compare favorably with their international counterparts.
The Law Society of Singapore's endorsement of benchmarking senior counsel against global standards reflects a commitment to maintaining Singapore's standing as a legal hub in the globalized legal profession. Melvin Loh's acknowledgment of the timely and understandable nature of these refinements highlights the importance of uniformity in recognizing the achievements of senior counsels, whether on the domestic or international stage.
As Singapore seeks a harmonious blend of legal excellence, this recalibration ensures that the prestige associated with senior counsel appointments resonates not only in the realms of glamour and financial allure but also in the profound impact of legal practice on the daily lives of its citizens. In this transformative journey, the legal community strives to strike a balance, fortifying Singapore's legal prominence both locally and on the international stage.