Different Strokes

When a person stops and looks for a different direction to take in life, he probably has no idea what lies ahead of him. He just walks in that new direction, not knowing his destination. He is driven by only one objective – finding a new purpose in life. Chua Lik Teng took such a walk and has now landed herself a job as the new CEO of our Law Society from 1 January 2007.

Called to the Bar in 1993 and after working as a corporate lawyer in a top law firm in Singapore, Lik Teng left Singapore in 2000 to join her husband who was working in Tokyo then. In Japan, she continued work as a corporate lawyer at a top Japanese law firm, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. She enjoyed working with the Japanese and foreign lawyers in the firm and found the work stimulating. ‘The Japanese have great respect for lawyers. Lawyers are referred to in Japan as “sensei” (meaning “teachers”) and the Japanese legal profession is a highly respected and honourable one.’

‘The Japanese are serious about everything they do. I like the high standards they set for themselves – they always aim to be perfect, or at least, be the best in everything they do,’ she shared of her Japanese experience.

Being a corporate lawyer, it is not surprising that she enjoys drafting documents. ‘I love drafting. I would keep fine-tuning a document until I am satisfied with it. Sometimes, this takes up a lot of time, but I enjoy the process.’ said Lik Teng.

Lik Teng and her husband returned to Singapore in late 2001. She joined the Law Society as Director of the Practice Standards (now known as Practice Concerns) department in June 2005. ‘At that point of time, I did not want to return to practice. However, I wanted to be in touch with the legal profession,’ she said over lunch at Marche in Far East Square. In the course of supporting the work of 12 practice and other committees, she dealt with issues relating to the various areas of practice, most of which she had no previous experience in. She said that her legal knowledge and experience helped her to perform her duties.

Lik Teng admitted that she had not been aware of the various functions of the Law Society when she was in practice. ‘The work of the Society was not visible at all to me,’ she said, echoing the sentiments of many practitioners. Addressing this problem would be her immediate task next year. ‘I would like to improve and strengthen communications between the Society and our members. It is unfortunate that the tremendous amount of work done by the Society is not visible to many members. Members are stakeholders of our legal system and, as stakeholders, active engagement and involvement in the Society’s work by every member is crucial,’ she elaborated. Amongst the various initiatives that will be implemented in 2007 to bolster communications are further improvements to the Society’s web site and the electronic newsletter, 
eJus News.

The second item on her agenda is to showcase the many facets of the Society’s representative work. ‘Contrary to the general mistaken perception of many of our members, we are not just a regulatory body. We play an equally important representative role – that of representing our members’ interests, which I hope will be made more visible. In particular, I would like to showcase the work of our various practice committees.’

An achiever, Lik Teng had a difficult time adjusting to her job at the Law Society initially. She recounts many low moments when she felt that she was not achieving anything at all. ‘I often felt very disheartened by our members’ indifference to our work. Members often do not give any feedback and if they do, it is usually negative feedback. It was very discouraging. However, I have come to realise and accept that negative feedback is better than no feedback at all. I also learnt that I cannot please everyone at the same time,’ she reflected. She now appreciates that the work in the Society is different from that of a profit-making organisation. ‘Here, we are often unable to see the effect or benefit of the things we do immediately. We have to take a long-term perspective in whatever we do, in the hope that we are making a positive difference to the legal profession in the long term.’

Making contributions is not something new to her. Lik Teng did volunteer work between the period she returned from Japan and before she joined the Society. According to her, life’s meaning can be found in helping others. She is a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation which helps children suffering from terminal illnesses fulfill their wishes. She also volunteered with the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped by being a tutor to a visually and intellectually challenged child, whom she is still in contact with.

An advocate of helping others, she describes her three-and-a-half years of volunteering as a ’valuable pause button in her life’. This period also allowed her to re-establish her relationship with God. A devout Christian, Lik Teng discovered that the journey of life and the processes involved in every act are more important than the destination.

Over chocolate ice-cream and coffee, Lik Teng describes the highlights in her one-and-a-half years at the Secretariat. ‘It was very satisfying to address issues which add value to the professional lives of our members.’ Some of these issues were the concerns of the conveyancers in the holding of clients’ monies and work-life balance.

When the offer to become the Society’s new CEO was made to her, Lik Teng was concerned about not being able to discharge the heavy responsibilities of the job well. ‘I spent many days thinking and mulling over it. I decided to tap on my religion for strength and assumed the position. I am not going to worry about the years ahead and just do the work before me.’

Describing the former CEO Yasho Dhoraisingam, who is well known among members, as having left huge shoes for her to fill and an indelible mark on the Secretariat, Lik Teng hopes that members can accept her as a CEO with her own different working style.

Yasho and Lik Teng have a deep mutual respect for each other. In one e-mail to me, Yasho expressed her hope that the Society’s membership would get to like and respect Lik Teng just as Yasho herself has, in the course of being her boss.

I had the opportunity to get acquainted with Lik Teng from the beginning of her career in the Society. Working with her in the various practice committees, I observed her. She is a private person. Although her drive for excellence is hidden by her quiet and unassuming nature, it is revealed quickly in her work. She listens and learns from others. Her passion and capability in her work did not go unnoticed. She became the first Deputy CEO of the Society in July 2006.

The fast-talking Lik Teng admits that she pushes herself too hard and tends to be impatient. Perhaps, that is the Japanese influence within her.

Lik Teng’s passion extends beyond work. She enjoys cooking Asian and Italian cuisine. She picked it up during her stint in Japan. She hopes to cook for private dinners. Every Saturday morning is Lik Teng’s bonding time with her father. Both of them would do Chinese calligraphy together. She is learning Chinese painting as well.

If you need a listening ear or a lift-me-up after a difficult day at work, give Lik Teng a call or better still, have a cuppa with her. Perhaps, you may be a lucky guest at one of her private dinners. That’s another item on my wish list for 2007.

Rajan Chettiar

Rajan Chettiar & Co

E-mail: rajan@rajanchettiar.com