The modern legal environment is evolving at unprecedented speed, from AI-powered tools to cross-border cases and ESG-related considerations. For lawyers in Singapore, the breadth of required expertise keeps expanding.
Continuous learning is therefore not optional; it is essential. Through lifelong learning, lawyers equip themselves to respond to emerging challenges in the field, adapt to new ways of working, and continue delivering high-quality advice to clients. It builds resilience, sharpens decision-making, and ensures long-term relevance in a fast-moving profession.
The Case for Continuous Learning
Legal professionals today operate in a landscape that is more complex and dynamic than ever. Three major forces make continuous learning essential:
1. Regulatory and policy change
Legal frameworks are evolving as rapidly as new technologies, norms, and specialisations emerge. AI governance, cybersecurity, ESG, and intellectual property law are just a few practice areas that are witnessing rapid shifts due to advancements in technology and regulations. Lawyers must stay ahead of these developments to anticipate risks and provide accurate and timely service.
2. Technological transformation
Advances in AI, automation, and digital tools are transforming how legal work is conducted. Reports show that nearly 80% of in-house legal teams already utilise AI tools in their daily operations, including Generative AI platforms for case law analysis, memo drafting, and research.
Continuous learning enables lawyers to harness these tools effectively, enhancing productivity, insight, and value, rather than falling behind.
3. Evolving client expectations
Clients increasingly demand more than traditional legal advice. They seek professionals who combine legal expertise with commercial acumen, strategic foresight, and practical problem-solving, acting as trusted advisors rather than simply service providers.
Investing in ongoing education enables lawyers to keep pace with these evolving expectations, positioning themselves as proactive, adaptable and forward-thinking
LIFTED: A Roadmap for Continuous Professional Growth
To support legal professionals in navigating the accelerating pace of change, SAL has introduced LIFTED (Legal Industry Framework for Training and Education). This comprehensive, competency-based framework provides structured guidance for continuous learning, helping lawyers across all stages of a legal career enhance their skills, broaden their expertise, and future-proof their practice
Key components of LIFTED include:
- Career Map: An overview of the legal industry’s key roles and pathways at various levels, from in-house counsel to practitioners in firms. This resource helps lawyers visualise their career progression and identify the competencies required for each stage.
- Skills Maps: Detailed outlines of the core work functions and tasks associated with specific legal roles. By clarifying what skills are essential for day-to-day practice, lawyers can target their learning to areas that will have the most impact.
- Competencies: Descriptions of the knowledge, abilities, and behaviours expected at three proficiency levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. This information enables lawyers to focus their development efforts, whether it be technical skills, business and management skills, or critical core skills (CSS).
- Knowledge Guides: A collection of comprehensive guides on specific practice areas, such as AI, family law, or maritime and shipping. These resources support lawyers in deepening their expertise and staying updated with sector-specific developments.
- SAL Career Navigator: A digital hub designed to complement LIFTED, offering a suite of tools for practical career planning. Features include career coaching resources, self-assessment tools to audit skills, and personalised learning recommendations.
With LIFTED, lawyers can map out their learning journey with clarity and purpose, pinpointing skill or knowledge gaps and taking targeted steps to address them.
The LIFTED framework is currently undergoing a revamp, and more information will be available in the coming year. We encourage you to stay updated by following us on our LinkedIn account.
Learning Opportunities at SAL
SAL offers a range of courses, workshops, and seminars designed to equip lawyers with practical skills and strategic insights for their career needs, across specialisations.
1. Digital Transformation and Legaltech
Stay current with emerging tools and digital capabilities that are reshaping legal operations.
Jan 2026: From Cost Centre to Value Driver: Strategic Legal Operations
This one-day course empowers lawyers to leverage technology for operational excellence and enhanced client value. Participants will learn to define and establish legal department strategy, optimise workflows, manage contracts and budgets, and integrate Generative AI responsibly.
Mar 2026: Legal Innovation Workshop
A two-day course exploring best practices in legal innovation, digital transformation, and Legal Generative AI. Participants will have the opportunity to examine case studies from Singapore and around the region, learn to map legal workflows, and apply methodologies such as design thinking and process re-engineering. The programme also covers ethical and professional considerations surrounding the responsible use of legal technology.
2. Ethical and Future-Focused Practice
Learn how to navigate complex ethical challenges in law and prepare for emerging practice demands.
Mar 2026: Sustainability Reporting for Legal Counsel
This course equips legal professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to advise on and draft sustainability and ESG reports. Through hands-on exercises, participants will learn core ESG reporting frameworks, legal considerations in sustainability disclosures, and common compliance risks.
Jul 2026: Family Therapeutic Justice Certification Programme (FTJCP)
Developed in collaboration with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, this two-day programme shares practical skills that family law practitioners can adopt to support their clients in achieving therapeutic justice. If you are interested in attending this session, please join the event waitlist, and the SAL team will contact you when registration opens for the next run.
3. Leadership and Business Acumen
SAL’s programmes offer practical, real-world training to help lawyers build competencies in decision-making, strategic capability, and fostering a positive team culture.
Mar 2026: Beyond Legal Advice – Leading High-Performance Teams
This one-day programme aims to strengthen participants’ skills in strategic thinking and people management. Through case discussions, hands-on activities, and reflection sessions, participants will explore leadership dilemmas commonly faced in legal practice and learn actionable strategies to motivate teams, enhance communication, and foster a high-performance culture within their organisations.
Mar 2026: Law Firm Business and Strategy
Ideal for legal professionals wanting to develop a more comprehensive understanding of law firm operations. The session will cover the core elements of strong firm strategies, from its mission and values to market positioning and competitor analysis. Through theory and practical tools, participants will learn how to evaluate their firm’s strengths, map the competitive landscape, and define a unique value proposition.
Jul 2026: SAL-INSEAD Legal Leadership Programme 2026
Developed in partnership with INSEAD, this intensive two-day course demonstrates how business school methodologies can be applied to tackle issues in organisational alignment, change management, growth strategies, and high-performance team dynamics. Designed for law firm partners, general counsel, and legal service officers, the programme offers participants the opportunity to cultivate a long-term leadership mindset essential for driving sustainable success.
Jul 2026: ESG Litigation: Risks and Impacts
More details coming soon.
Oct 2026: Integrating ESG into Corporate Governance and Compliance
More details coming soon.
4. Legal Expertise and Practice Skills
Strengthening one’s core legal skills will always be essential for legal professionals in Singapore, and the following programmes by SAL offer targeted, practice-focused training to develop technical proficiency.
Jan 2026: JLP – Application Advocacy
Get equipped with essential skills to prepare for and argue applications in court effectively..
This two-day training module is designed to equip young lawyers with essential and practical skills in preparing for, dealing with and assisting in trial proceedings.
Mar 2026: JLP – Cross-Examination & Experts
Develop essential and practical skills required to cross-examine witnesses in court proceedings, and how to deal with experts and use expert evidence in the course of a dispute.
This training module is designed to equip young lawyers with essential and practical skills required to prepare for and handle a civil appeal.
These workshops deep-dive into the dos and don’ts of both written and oral advocacy in various contexts, and give participants the chance to conduct hands-on drills, mock exercises and hypothetical applications before members of the judiciary and senior practitioners. Find out more about our JLP workshops here.
Feb 2026: [Synchronous e-Learning] Drafting Clearer Contracts
Led by internationally recognised contract-drafting expert Ken Adams, this interactive online course shares proven techniques for drafting precise, readable contracts. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, participants will learn to avoid ambiguity, articulate deal terms clearly, and better align drafting choices with commercial objectives.
May 2026: Practical Workshop on Building & Construction Dispute Resolution
This workshop is a structured deep dive into construction disputes, addressing issues ranging from payments and variations to delays and extensions of time. Participants will develop skills to manage construction claims efficiently and navigate procedural requirements, including Scott Schedules and document bundles. The programme concludes with an open-book assessment to reinforce key concepts and practical competencies.
Your Ongoing Legal Journey, Supported by SAL
The most effective lawyers are those who embrace continuous learning, evolving alongside the law, technology, and client expectations.
Ongoing education not only sharpens competence but also builds confidence, equipping legal professionals to navigate complex challenges and deliver greater value throughout their careers.
Plan your learning journey early. Explore SAL’s full events calendar, secure your programme slots, and invest in the knowledge that will shape your career for years ahead.