"The LLM’s academic discourse allowed me to push boundaries, challenge legal positions, exercise critical thinking, and thoroughly assess legal theories and issues."
Name: Grace Chaw Hei Hei Year of graduation: 2022 Name of programme: Master of Laws in International Dispute Resolution Country: Malaysia Company name: Grace Chaw & Co.
I commenced legal practice after my Bachelor’s 15 years ago. The LLM’s academic discourse allowed me to push boundaries, challenge legal positions, exercise critical thinking, and thoroughly assess legal theories and issues. Gradually, I acknowledged the ‘tried and tested’ approaches in real-world cases. I now employ robust methods backed by authorities and apply them in legal practice.
The elite faculty covered the substantive content of the academic modules. The practical answers and insights I heard were unprecedented for me.
Many distinguished practitioners in dispute resolution and professionals from various jurisdictions made my cohort genuinely international and highly skilled. The positivity and the group communication, especially during assignment and exam preparation weeks, strengthened me and encouraged me to accomplish each demanding task.
Academic writing is more challenging than writing for legal practice because as academics we are law critics. The research scope is broad, and we ponder the various positions and possible outcomes. We evaluate how the law should develop or what it should be, which may frequently point in different directions.
In contrast, my role as counsel makes me take a partisan position when doing legal writing. Legal writing is based on a confined set of facts and laws to persuade the judges or the tribunal to agree with our partisan points. Despite the complexities and nuances that may occur, the arguments stem from facts from confined sources, even if the dispute involves mega-documentary evidence.
It was a case of energy management around my priorities. On weekdays, I prioritised my legal practice. At weekends, I balanced my commitment between LLM coursework and my duty as a parent.
I have a profound interest in investment treaty arbitration. I received a distinction grade on my dissertation entitled ‘Judicial expropriation: the search for a coherent approach’. I shall keep inquiring and pushing boundaries – in law, learning, and life.