Back
Image Alt

The Singapore Law Gazette

President’s Message

Let’s discuss the law firm environment and the legal profession.

Recently, two lawyers were struck off the rolls for misconduct in their own offices.

The first, a managing director of his law corporation, repeatedly slapped an associate and pushed a secretary to the floor. He also threatened to kill an employee of a talent management agency he owned, and committed numerous other outrageous acts. He is facing criminal charges in the State Courts for these matters.

The second, a legal associate in another firm, took compromising photos of his colleague while they were both working late in the office. He also pressed his thigh against that colleague’s upper arm. He pleaded guilty to insulting the modesty of his victim, and was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment.

In both cases, the Law Society brought charges against the lawyers for misconduct. In both cases, the Court of Three Judges struck off the lawyers concerned.

The consensus in the legal profession is that our law firms must provide safe workplaces for lawyers and their staff. We produce our best work in an environment that is comfortable, relaxed, and secure. We have to do our best to preserve our offices as places where our colleagues can contribute and thrive.

This means that we must respect our co-workers. We should value our relationships with them as team mates who are toiling alongside us to get something done. We should address them in the appropriate way, and be considerate of them at all times.

If we constantly bear in mind that we are officers of the Court, and members of an honourable profession, then I’m confident that we will keep up our standards of conduct, and continue to attract the best talent to the legal profession.

President (January 2022 to July 2023)
The Law Society of Singapore