The Singapore Law Gazette

How to Be Seriously Impressive: A Guide for Junior Lawyers

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all their frustrations
Come beating on your door

The Living Years, Mike & the Mechanics

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The transition from law student to practising lawyer is rarely smooth and, at times, deeply frustrating. In practice, unlike law school, you must learn by doing, often long before you feel fully ready. That is precisely why junior lawyers need practical, field-tested guidance: advice that helps them carry themselves with authority, exercise sound judgement, and earn early trust. These are the foundational qualities that define a great lawyer.

Having walked this path and reached the later stages of my own legal journey, I want to share what decades of practice have taught me.

You are under no obligation to adopt everything written here, but if you do, these habits will help you become an impressive, highly effective lawyer, whether you practise at a firm, serve in government, or advise in-house.

This guide answers one essential question: How can a young lawyer become impressive and trusted before achieving seniority?

The answer is not brilliant intellect alone. It is the disciplined combination of presence, judgement, preparation, reliability, and the wisdom to learn from the right people.

1 Love the Work

My overriding piece of advice is simple: you must genuinely enjoy the work you do.

When you are passionate about your practice, you naturally perform at a higher level and develop the resilience required to navigate the inevitable hiccups and irritants of professional life. Throughout my postings in the Singapore Legal Service, I was fortunate to engage in work I truly loved, a factor that made all the difference in my career – though I had my fair share of hiccups and irritants.

2 Self-mastery

Your professional reputation begins with how you manage yourself: how you present yourself, prepare yourself, and establish your daily habits.

Adopt a Posture of Purpose

How you carry yourself matters. A lot. It creates a lasting impression very early.

💡 Tip: Always walk confidently, even on exhausting or difficult days.

The way you present yourself dictates how others initially perceive you. Whether meeting clients, opposing counsel, or judges, a composed physical presence commands respect before you even speak a word.

Build Quiet Confidence

Confidence is not arrogance; it is the quiet discipline of composure. Speak deliberately, choose your words carefully, and give others every reason to trust your preparation.

• Mind your communication: Clear speech reflects clear thought. Junior lawyers are evaluated as much by how they communicate as by what they know.
• Pacing and composure: Speaking calmly and at a measured pace enhances how credile and intelligent you appear.

💡 Tip: Be slow to smile unnecessarily. Inappropriate smiling signals a lack of seriousness about the gravity of the matter at hand.

• Refine your language: Eliminate hesitant phrases like “I’ll try”, “maybe”, or “I don’t know”. Replace them with decisive alternatives:
  • “I’ll do it.”
  • “I can certainly look into this.”
  • “Let me get back to you on that.”

💡 Tip: If you are ever stumped or just need time, especially in court, use the time-honoured phrase: “I will need to take my client’s instructions.” It cleverly buys you the time needed to gather your thoughts.

3 Build a Distinct Personal Brand

Decide early on what persona you want to project. Do you want to be recognised as an articulate advocate, a sharp judicial officer, or a meticulous solicitor?

Over time, people will associate your name with reliability, thorough preparation, and sound judgement.

💡 Tip: Being average keeps you invisible; intentionality makes you memorable.

An Example from Practice:

When I was a young legal officer, I built a reputation as “the guy who knows his stuff” simply because I made it a point to carry the Rules of Court with me every single time I stepped into a courtroom, even for a routine mention. People remember visual cues. Learn to use props.

4 Leverage Strategic Props & Appearance

• The Notebook or Tablet: Always bring a notebook, tablet, or laptop to meetings. Actively taking notes not only ensures you retain crucial details, but also signals to the speaker that you value their time and input. This creates an immediate, positive connection.
• Dress for the Occasion: Treat every work occasion with seriousness. Wearing a blazer or suit jacket signals that you respect the setting and the people in it.
• Carry a Proper Briefcase: Always carry a professional briefcase to hold your laptop or documents. Avoid carrying plastic or recyclable tote bags to client meetings or court; they project an informal, unprofessional image.

5 Work with a Clear Goal

Your goal is your desired outcome. Always define the desired outcome before embarking on any task. If you do not know your destination, you will never know when you have arrived.

Having a clear goal enables you to map out an effective strategy. Proceeding without a goal is like shooting in the dark: you can only hit the target by pure luck.

💡 Tip: To get a clear goal, ask yourself:

• When joining an organisation: Is your goal to learn as much as possible before moving on, or to build a long-term career there?
• When meeting a client: Is your goal to secure new business, or simply to conclude the interaction?
• When handling a case: What specific outcome constitutes a win for the client?

Your answers will dictate your appropriate strategy.

6 Find a Great Mentor

My years in practice have shown me that behind almost every exceptional lawyer was a great mentor. A mentor acts as your coach, counsellor, and navigator through organisational dynamics. Most of all, a mentor is a role model.

How to Spot a Mentor:

Look around your organisation for a senior professional whose skills, work ethic, and professional style you admire. Seek opportunities to work on their matters, observe their methods, and cultivate a professional relationship. Sometimes, if you are impressive, a mentor might adopt you to make you great.

Case in Point:

I knew a legal officer who was considered average early in his career. Determined to excel, he set a clear goal for improvement upon joining a new organisation. He identified a senior officer he admired and actively sought opportunities to work under his guidance. By learning from his mentor’s habits and advice, he grew exponentially and was promoted to Director well ahead of his peers. This is an example of having a clear goal with the appropriate strategy and the power of having a great mentor.

7 Avoid Toxic Environments and People

Just as vital as finding a good mentor is avoiding toxic colleagues and toxic workplaces. Some organisations have individuals who are perennially bitter and resentful, and constantly complain about management, colleagues, and workload. Sometimes, it is your boss who cannot have anything good to say about your work, no matter how hard you try. Some can only communicate by screaming or shouting.

Steer clear of them. Leave that place. Engaging in toxic workplace culture will stifle your growth, harm your mental health, and erode your professional outlook. It will hinder your attempts to be impressive. Do not let these people destroy your dreams. Go somewhere more nurturing.

8 Always Make Your Boss’s Life Easier

Your direct supervisor plays a pivotal role in shaping your early career trajectory. Make it your mission to become someone your boss can rely on completely by delivering thorough, high-quality work on time. Word will travel fast and far.

• Comprehensive Legal Research: As a junior lawyer, you will always be asked to do legal research. Present research with clearly identified issues, highlighted case authorities, and full case reports attached in an appendix.
• Exercise Caution with GenAI: If you use ChatGPT or other Generative AI tools, verify every single authority. Citing fictitious, AI-generated case law is a career-damaging mistake.
• Manage Deadlines and Priorities: Never submit work at the last minute. If you report to multiple supervisors, prioritise assignments from the most senior leaders.

Conclusion

Becoming an impressive lawyer is not an overnight achievement, nor is it reserved for the naturally gifted. It is the cumulative result of daily habits: how you walk into a room, how you deal with your files, how you deal with people, how you communicate under pressure, and most of all, who you choose to learn from. Master these fundamentals early, and authority and respect will naturally follow. And you will be impressive! Seriously.