DIANA NGIAM ON ‘FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT’ IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD
Plus, what wellness and mental health in the workplace mean to her.
From left: Sunil Sudheesan, Diana Ngiam, Subhas Anandan and Sandra Cheng, Subhas' longtime secretary who also mentored Diana
BY PAMELA QUEK
Ask Ms Diana Ngiam what common misconceptions plague criminal defence lawyers and she volleys wryly, “That we are dishonest, immoral individuals who help perpetuate evil.”
An Associate Director at Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC, Diana has been defending lawbreakers for a decade and stands out for being a young woman in a male-driven arena. She concedes that being in a mostly all-male work environment can be intimidating at times, but is thankful that her fellow members of the Bar have been “extremely kind and especially patient” with showing her the ropes. “I think it’s because I’m female,” she jokes, before adding in a serious tone, “They’ve been very welcoming and allowed me to quickly assimilate myself without feeling like an outlier.”
When it comes to dealing with clients, Diana acknowledges that her appearance and gender pose certain disadvantages. “Generally, I have more to prove to clients. Impression counts, to some extent, and it does not help that I am female and relatively short. I lack the stature of a burly, imposing figure that a client may want to see in a criminal defence lawyer. It can sometimes take more time and effort to convince clients that I can hold my ground and be as tenacious as the men in my practice area.”
Yet gender does work in her favour too, surprisingly, in cases involving sexual offences. Some clients feel that Diana can show more empathy and be more sensitive when it comes to cross-examining a female complainant. Other advantages of being female: “I am able to emote more and create rapport with clients. I don’t shy away from showing my emotions, which helps in certain situations,” she shares.
Like any job, challenges are part of the work landscape. For Diana, this comes in the form of pressures brought about by the business aspect of the practice. “As I become more senior, the pressure of billing becomes all the more real,” she lets on.
Being mindful of not pre-judging a client or matter is another challenge. “With experience, unfortunately, also comes preconceived notions and this sometimes takes away that element of objectivity and impartiality, because I find myself prejudging based on cues that I pick up on. I manage this by using my mentor Sunil [Sudheesan, Director and Head of Quahe Woo & Palmer’s Criminal Department] as a sounding board. Or I speak to other senior members of the Bar who are always ready and willing to offer their perspectives.”
Experience may shape and shift her outlook over time, but this does not mean that Diana is unaffected by the cases that come her way. In her early years on the job, she was moved by the conditions and predicaments faced by her clients. That has not changed. “I still empathise with my clients’ plight and I like the fact that I do. But I am also able to be more objective about things now, which is a better balance I’ve managed to achieve over the years,” she reveals.
Pressed to elaborate on how she processes these unsettling feelings, Diana explains that she doesn’t dismiss them or even see the need to cast them aside. “I’ve always believed that being able to feel what I feel pushes me to do better and do more for my clients.”
FULFILLING LITTLE WINS
Interviews with criminal defence lawyers invariably wind its way to the topic of the most interesting case they’ve encountered. Diana maintains that a lot of the cases her department deals with are interesting as the facts are always different and unique to the individual.
However, she does single out a recent “run-of-the-mill” case that was significant to her.
“It was not high profile and did not involve particularly interesting facts. It was an outrage of modesty case where I represented the accused person on a pro bono basis. The prosecution had asked for a few months’ jail and I pushed for a fine. To be honest, I had initially intended to ask for a lower jail term, but upon considering the facts and the case precedents, I believed a fine was more appropriate and fair. I am glad I took that view and pushed the point. The court eventually sentenced the accused to a fine.
“This case gave me a renewed sense of hope in our system — it was also a timely reminder of why I do what I do. It was extremely fulfilling for me to know that I had helped this man who may otherwise have gone to jail. It’s these little ‘wins’ that make my job worth the while and why I go on fighting the good fight.”
While this particular case may have slipped under the radar in the eyes of the public, Diana has worked on several high-profile cases that have made the headlines and become fiery talking points in WhatsApp chats. This all adds to the intensity of a job which is, by its nature, demanding. Add the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic into the mix and the matter of staying healthy physically and mentally surfaces.
She lists working out with friends and spending time with her family (pet dogs included) as some of the ways she keeps healthy physically and mentally. “I work out with friends for that endorphins booster,” she elaborates. In previous interviews, she has also brought up how she enjoys running — an evening jog through the central business district being one of her preferred routes.
After a stressful day at work, what immediately lightens her mood is stepping home and being greeted by her excitable cavoodles. “I get scratched by them because they go crazy when they see me,” she describes. Relishing a home-cooked meal by her dad, interacting with her two young nephews, and hanging out with friends also count as instant de-stressors. “Having friends who are willing to listen to my monologues and give me sound advice helps me recalibrate perspectives and stay mentally sound,” adds Diana with a laugh.
Diana with the cavoodles that keep her grounded
As for what wellness and mental health in the workplace mean to her, Diana feels it’s about having a collaborative and supportive environment. “One where you feel you’re among friends and yet still respect the hierarchy that exists with your seniors. I am grateful that I’ve found this in the team that I work with closely on a daily basis. They have seen me through my ugliest, toughest times and were there to hold the fort when I could not. That is what we do for each other.”
This is the latest in a series of articles and videos that shed light on wellbeing. Everybody has a different definition of the term and by sharing what it means to SAL members, we hope that you, too, will be inspired to prioritise your own wellness.
