In a profession shaped by constant change, one thing remains clear: the firms that thrive are those that invest in their people. From boutique practices to big firms, the legal community is uniting around a common cause — equipping lawyers with the skills to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Over 40 firms have signed the SAL Training Pledge, a public commitment to continuous legal learning. Among them: BTPLaw LLC, a boutique corporate law firm, and Allen & Gledhill LLP (A&G), one of Singapore’s largest and most established law firms. Their commitment sends a strong signal: training isn’t just a policy; it’s a profession-wide priority.
BTPLaw: Making Training Part of the Culture
“At BTPLaw, training is not a one-off — it’s a mindset,” says Lynn Ariele Soh, Director at BTPLaw. “Signing the SAL Training Pledge was a natural step as we believe that our responsibility as lawyers is not just to practice the law, but to grow and uplift the legal community as a whole, and committing to the training of next generation is key.”
| BTPLaw’s training approach focuses on: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Meaningful mentorship | Tech-forward mindset | Global exposure |
| Regular internal sharing sessions on technical skills, ethics, cultural literacy, leadership, and client management. | Early adoption of tools for Gen AI, matter management and compliance. | Lawyers attend SAL courses, cross-border client trainings, and international conferences. |
“Training has sharpened our legal acumen, strengthened team culture, and helped junior lawyers feel truly seen and valued and that drives excellence.”
– Lynn Ariele Soh
A&G: Where Training is a Tradition
For A&G, signing the SAL Training Pledge was a natural extension of what they’ve done for decades. “Training has always been core to our identity,” says Lim Lei Theng, Partner in charge of Knowledge Management, who oversees Learning & Development at A&G.
| Their deep-rooted culture of learning includes: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Firm-wide commitment | Structured progression | |
| Training is expected of all — from partners to new joiners. Partners attend and deliver training, everyone attends training. Anyone who holds back a junior’s learning is asked to explain why. | A&G offers tailored programmes for trainees, newly qualified lawyers, and senior associates — plus interactive Tech Talks, and sessions on AI, cybersecurity, legal writing, business development and other topics. | |
| Learning by osmosis | Strategic Outcomes | |
| Trainees still share offices with partners, a tradition that anchors learning in day-to-day practice. | A strong training culture has nurtured generations of lawyers who rise through the ranks — and many who return as clients or collaborators. | |
“A well-trained young lawyer is a valued asset and often becomes the next generation of partners. Training is not just about retention — it builds reputation, trust, and long-term value.”
– Lim Lei Theng
Training Across Firm Sizes, Across the Profession
What unites firms like A&G and BTPLaw isn’t size, it’s shared belief. Both firms recognise:
- That skills required for effective real-world legal practice are more complex than law school can teach.
- That skills like communication, critical thinking, and tech fluency are essential.
- That continuous learning is now driven as much by clients and markets as by the profession itself.
“Signing the SAL Training Pledge is more than symbolic. It’s a call to action. From boutique specialists to top-tier firms, the message is clear: training is not just a tick box. It’s the foundation of a future-ready profession.”
– Delphine Loo, Director of Learning and Professional Development at SAL