Lawyer Spotlight: Bethel Chan

What inspired you to pursue law? ?

?I couldn’t see myself doing my first job as a television news producer in the long run, which got me thinking about a career pivot. I come from a family of lawyers. Both my mum and sister had an inkling that I might enjoy the law, because writing has always been one of my areas of strength and I’ve always wanted a job where my skills with language would be put to practical use. 10 years on, it’s been a meaningful adventure. I feel very blessed that I have been guided throughout the journey by inspiring mentors and good people. ?

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Share some your thoughts around being a working mother/lawyer. How has it been?

There's no denying that balancing motherhood and work is tough. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in a day! For me, it’s only been possible because I’m part of a firm that sees value in what a working mother can bring to the table, and is willing to invest in that value by helping working mothers meet the challenges and needs that they face.? Any workplace can bandy about terms like "flexibility", “family-forward” and "parental support", but it takes time, effort, genuine understanding and a bit of trial-and-error to make this culture a reality.

What sets Setia apart from other law firms?

Our culture that sees each team member not as a factor of production but as an individual whose well-being and professional and personal development are worth investing in. We place a premium on creating a safe space for every member of the firm, regardless of experience and background, while mentoring them both professionally and personally. We also don’t have a culture of presenteeism – the focus is simply getting the work done.

If you think about it, the firm’s progressive approach to working parents is really a natural extension of this people-oriented culture. I remember when we were in the early stages of building the Setia office, Danny and Wern Jhien were keen to set up a dedicated wellness room not just for mothers, but also for anyone who found it useful. I'm thankful that I work at a firm where these investments are prioritised!

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Words of advice for aspiring lawyers?

Seek good mentors and allies. It’s especially important for lawyers who are just starting out to have proper guidance from trusted senior members of the profession whose judgment, intuition and moral compass you can count on.

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