HKU Alumni Legal Careers Project

I believe that the first and foremost requirement for being a lawyer is to possess excellent language proficiency. Without strong language skills, we simply could not stand out. It is essential to be able to think critically, articulate thoughts clearly, and effectively communicate and share ideas with others. Currently, I know numerous individuals who are highly intellectual. Yet, I have no idea what they are trying to tell me. Hence, having a strong command of language is absolutely imperative. Second, you must know how to interact with people. Interpersonal skills are essential. Third, integrity is also crucial. It takes a long while to build a reputation for a lawyer. If you are careless, you could lose it overnight. Fourth, as I mentioned before, being caring is essential. I have passed on Dr Woo’s teachings to generations of law students. Lawyers need to be caring, compassionate and cautious.

Furthermore, it is important to be adaptable to the ever-changing world. One must embrace technology on one hand, yet not be led by it on the other. I have noticed that many young colleagues nowadays are being led by technology without truly embracing it. Without a proper understanding and effective utilisation of technological advancements, one may find oneself struggling. For instance, I might receive an overwhelming amount of messages on WhatsApp in a single day, but I often selectively choose which ones to respond to. Otherwise, I would hardly have time for anything else. Besides, I would carefully limit the time I spend on browsing social media. We must not forget that life goes far beyond WhatsApp and the social media. Life is multi-faceted and so we have to live our lives fully before we can become successful lawyers.

I aspire to teach students by imparting upon them these principles. In addition, they must be prepared to continue learning. I believe that the most gratifying aspect of being a lawyer is that every day presents new opportunities to learn. If they find the process of learning unbearable, then they may not be a good fit for this profession. As I tell them, when I first began my career, there was no Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, Basic Law, or National Security Law. If one fails to learn and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape, then they will not go too far.

I perceive that artificial intelligence has the potential to replace certain aspects of our work. More importantly, how do you acquire the knowledge to write programs that generate algorithms and interact with AI to accomplish the tasks you desire? You must possess the knowledge and skills relevant to that particular task. Unfortunately, most of us who have attended law school have not been exposed to these concepts. In my time, we did not even have word processors. As a law student, I recall that I never had an electronic calculator, let alone a computer.

However, I was the first individual at our law firm to learn how to make use of computers in the workplace. I was the first few people in the firm told to learn how to use the so- called "word processors" of that era, a term unfamiliar to most of the younger generation. My first computer was an Apple portable computer, featuring a tiny screen and a pair of sizable hard drives. Unfortunately, it has already been discarded. I14 embarked on the journey of learning and mastering the use of computers. As we stand today, it seems that everyone has become wholly reliant on these machines. We possibly could not carry on with our work during power outages. How would we cope without computers?

How should one advance if they remain uneducated in these matters while managing their legal practice? What steps can be taken to effectively position oneself for success in a competitive environment? As others gain the expertise to develop algorithms and utilise the power of artificial intelligence to expedite their work, those who lack such skills may find themselves at risk of being outpaced by the competition.

I yearn that after all these days when I emigrate from this planet, I hope someone will still remember the values and virtues that have shaped me as a person. I vividly recall the promise I once made to my father. He had asked whether pursuing a legal career as a Christian would challenge or be in conflict with my faith. I assured him that, having learned many ethical principles as well as the importance of integrity, I could promise him that I would live up to be a good Christian lawyer. Up to this moment, I can still tell you that I have been able to do that and I pray every day that I will be able to continue to do so.

Most importantly, being a lawyer is indeed a rewarding profession, but you must have the ability, passion, and attitude for it. It would be extremely hard to force yourself to pursue a legal career if you do not enjoy doing it. All of you are probably more diligent than me. I consider myself lazy when it comes to studying. However, my passion and love for the work as a lawyer have motivated me to keep learning and reading throughout my career as a lawyer.