Ms Nicole Yuen Shuk Kam
袁淑琴女士
Ms. Yuen has had a long-standing career in investment banking in Asia for over three decades and is widely credited for her pioneering efforts in internationalising China’s capital market. Nicole was formerly Managing Director, Head of Equities, North Asia and Vice Chairman, Greater China for Credit Suisse from 2012 to 2018. Before joining Credit Suisse, she worked at UBS for 18 years as Managing Director holding various leadership positions, across investment banking and securities divisions in Asia. She also served as a member of the Listing Committee of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Prior to investment banking, She was a partner at Clifford Chance, Hong Kong, after having worked as a lawyer in the UK, the US and The Netherlands. As a former director of Asia Dragon Trust plc., Ms. Yuen now also sits on the board of Interactive Brokers Group, Inc as an independent non-executive director.
"Seize every opportunity and never complain."
I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. My message to all your students is to seize every opportunity and never complain. There is always a valuable lesson to be learned, no matter the circumstances. When I was assigned to a challenging and less-than-ideal location in China, I discovered that the more difficult the environment, the more there is to learn. Keep an open mind and make the most of every experience.
Glossary
Key terms to aid your reading experience.
HKU Experience
LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
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An undergraduate law degree in common law jurisdictions, currently offered in Hong Kong by the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and City University of Hong Kong.
JD (Juris Doctor)
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A graduate-entry professional degree preparing individuals for law practice. In the U.S. and Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree.
PCLL (Postgraduate Certificate in Laws)
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A mandatory professional qualification program in Hong Kong that prepares law graduates to become solicitors or barristers.
Hall of residence
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Living in a residential hall is an HKU tradition, fostering independence and close interaction among students from diverse backgrounds.
HKU Law Campuses
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Caine Road Campus (1969 - 1973)
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Knowles Building (1973 - 1989)
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K.K. Leung Building (1989 - 2012)
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Cheng Yu Tung Tower (2012 - present)
UK Postgraduate Education
United Kingdom Bar Exams (“London Bar Final”) (formerly in place)
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A now-obsolete two-part qualification exam for aspiring barristers wishing to practice in the UK or Hong Kong, held three times a year at three-month intervals. Graduates could take multiple exams simultaneously, often sitting them early after graduation or the next summer.
Training
Traineeship
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Aspiring solicitors who completed the PCLL must be employed under a two-year training contract with a law firm to qualify as solicitors. This period is also referred to as an “articleship” in some interviews.
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Non-law graduates were previously able to serve five years as a solicitor’s clerk to qualify as solicitors. The significance of this system subsequently waned due to the popularisation of legal education.
Pupillage
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Aspiring barristers who completed the PCLL must complete a one-year pupillage, assisting barristers with case research, drafting, court attendance, and other tasks to qualify as barristers.