Law student’s global insights from internship in Singapore
In late 2024, Monash Law student Jessica Guan embarked on a transformative international internship in Singapore. Her destination was CNPLaw LLP, a full-service law firm renowned for its expertise in corporate law, dispute resolution, and financial services. Working under the guidance of Partner Wong Pei Ling in the Corporate Advisory Practice Group, Guan gained firsthand experience in the dynamic world of commercial legal practice.
Bridging legal academic knowledge with real-world practice
Established in 1988, CNP is consistently endorsed by leading legal publications such as Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, IFLR1000, and Asialaw Profiles. The firm is also listed among The Straits Times Singapore’s Best Law Firms.
Guan’s internship with the firm provided a unique opportunity for her to apply and deepen the knowledge she’d acquired through Monash Law’s curriculum, including Contract Law, Corporations Law, and Property Law. She also drew on advocacy and public speaking skills developed through the Mooting and Advocacy Competition unit.
“I was fortunate to contribute to various matters concerning Mergers and Acquisitions, Employment Law, Private Equity, and Funds,” Guan shared.
“I assisted in preparing key legal documents and valued learning how these documents fit into the bigger picture of each transaction.”
Jessica Guan with CNPLaw LLP associates.
Immersed in legal practice and Singaporean culture
Beyond the legal work, Guan embraced CNPLaw’s vibrant firm culture and the rich tapestry of Singaporean society.
“I had the valuable opportunity to learn more about Singaporean society and its exquisite, harmonious cultural mosaic.”
Some of the highlights of her internship included participating in Chinese New Year celebrations, learning about Lo Hei (a Cantonese-style raw fish salad that is a popular dish and tradition during Chinese New Year) and Chap Goh Meh (The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar),, and enjoying local dishes like roti prata and dosa. The experience also introduced her to pickleball—a new and unexpected delight.
Jessica Guan celebrating Chinese New Year with Singapore CNY snacks.
Learning through doing: practical legal insights and professional growth
I hear, and I forget, I see, and I remember, I do, and I understand. Guan’s internship revealed the realities of commercial practice and underscored the importance of efficient communication in legal work.
“I learned that circling back information within the team and being on top of emails are key to adding value,” Guan reflected.
The experience also highlighted the distinction between bilingualism and legal fluency.
“I realised that knowing a language and knowing the law in that language are two very different things,” she noted.
“This has inspired me to improve my ability to clearly convey legal concepts in Chinese.”
Jessica Guan with her Practice Group.
Key takeaways: skills for a future legal career
Reflecting on the experience, Guan identified several critical insights.
“First, I realised that I still have a long way to go in becoming a lawyer. By observing and interacting with so many talented lawyers in action, I found legal work genuinely compelling and am inspired to become a skilled lawyer and problem solver.”
Second, Guan identified two crucial skills for any lawyer:
- Close the loop in managing liability: this involves identifying and understanding which stages of a transaction are most likely to present issues or grey areas. I believe my participation in the Mooting and Advocacy Competition unit, through developing legal arguments, drafting submissions, and delivering rebuttals, helped lay the foundation for this insight.
- Simplify complex systems while also expanding on simplified ideas: I found that the ability to break down intricate legal concepts while elaborating on foundational principles is an important skill, and that using formulas can be particularly helpful in achieving this balance.
Third, she learned the importance of keeping the bigger picture of the transaction in mind, even when assisting with more specific tasks.
“While working on drafting a loan agreement to assist my associate, I came to understand that Merger & Acquisition transactions involve numerous considerations, such as whether the purchaser will pay entirely in cash, use a combination of cash and debt financing, or engage in equity swaps.”
A message of gratitude
An international internship that provides so many extracurricular opportunities for learning and deeper understanding has left a positive and permanent impact on Guan.
“I am deeply grateful to CNPLaw for this invaluable opportunity and its warm, vibrant culture; to Monash Law for equipping me with the knowledge and confidence to embrace international opportunities; and to my mentors—Partner Wong Pei Ling, CNP partners, and lawyers—who guided, encouraged, and believed in me throughout this unforgettable experience.”
Thank you Jessica Guan for sharing your reflections on a memorable and insightful learning experience during your Bachelor of Laws (Hons).