Lawyer Spotlight: Ian Mah

How did you get into law? ?

I grew up wanting to be an engineer (in hopes that NASA would one day hire me) and pursued primarily science subjects during my schooling days. It therefore never really occurred to me that law could be a viable career path. But just before university, I decided to take a leap of faith and explore the unexplored in university by choosing law. That gamble turned out well as I found myself really enjoying law school and to my surprise, my background and skillsets (such as logical reasoning and attention to detail) obtained in sciences actually helped me in my journey both as a law student and a lawyer.

I entered private practice early last year, having spent my first two years elsewhere in public service, and am now building my practice around commercial disputes and insolvency work. These were interest areas that started in law school and I’m excited for the opportunities ahead, working and learning from an incredibly talented and knowledgeable team at Setia. Looking back,? I couldn’t have asked for a better team to start practice with, and I am very thankful for the opportunities provided by the firm that helped me learn and grow.

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As a full time lawyer and also an adjunct lecturer, how do you balance the different hats you wear?

Imparting my knowledge to the next generation of students is something I find to be meaningful and fulfilling, and I’ve been an adjunct lecturer with my alma mater (Singapore Management University) since graduation, teaching various modules such as Business Law and Singapore Legal Systems. Having graduated not too long ago, I find it easy to relate to the undergraduates as I can easily reflect on my learnings and also share with them what I wish I’d known while I was studying, which often leads to candid conversations and makes the teaching that much more meaningful. Part of why I’m able to pursue this is because of the supportive culture at Setia, as the firm values and respects their lawyers’ passions outside of work. On a personal level, I find it extremely privileged and enriching to be able to impart what I know to others and it brings me immense joy when my students enjoy their classes and go on to do well in school and thereafter.

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What sets Setia apart from other law firms?

Valued, heard, trusted. In my opinion, these attributes reflect the culture at Setia, which is reassuring especially for lawyers who are just starting out their careers and are in need of a conducive environment to grow and flourish. Fun is not often synonymous with law, but Setia does make working in law enjoyable. I recall that I was able to assimilate quickly with the help of supportive seniors, and also lucky to be working alongside peers that I befriended in law school.

The younger lawyers here are also often entrusted with opportunities that don’t often come to juniors, such as taking the lead in court, which is a real testament to the culture that Danny and Wern-Jhien have built here - they trust the team that they have built around them and value our work. ?We are also encouraged to grow our own personal networks by participating and attending international conferences. I recently attended the International Insolvency Institute’s Annual Conference ?and I look forward to connecting and exchanging insights with my peers and industry experts at INSOL Hong Kong next March.

Where would we spot you outside of work or on the weekends?

You would probably find me running or cycling along the bay area. I typically enjoy doing my long runs before the work day starts, as this helps me to decompress and kick start my day with a clear mind. Hopefully I get to complete a marathon (and beyond) in the near future, fingers crossed!