The idyll of Changi feels a world away from the city’s daily churn. That distance—both physical and metaphorical—makes it an apt setting for reflection, as 22 junior and early mid-career lawyers discovered this past weekend at a retreat sponsored by SAL, as part of its efforts to improve sustainability in the profession.
The retreat forms part of a broader research initiative led by A/Prof Tan Seow Hon (SMU Yong Pung How School of Law). Titled Staying in the Game, the study examines how lawyers sustain a sense of meaning and resilience throughout their careers. The aim was simple: to help participants reconnect with their sense of purpose, at a moment when sustainability of a legal career is a concern highlighted at the Legal Profession Symposium 2025.
“At its core, the project is about helping lawyers reconnect their personal vision with their professional ethos, and with what they do day to day in legal practice,” A/Prof Tan explained. The results of the study will be released at this year’s Legal Profession Symposium.
Adding to the conversations were reflections from professionals who had already walked the path: Mrs Koh Juat Jong SC (FIDReC), Mr Andrew Ong, a retired corporate lawyer, and Mr Jason Wong, founder of the Yellow Ribbon Project.
A Timely Juncture
For Mr Joshua Tong (Kalco Law LLC), the retreat arrived at a particularly timely juncture. After seven years at the firm, he is preparing to strike out on his own this April with the forthcoming Jireh Law LLC. The retreat, he said, helped crystallise the kind of culture he hopes to build.
What stayed with him most was a principle shared by Mr Wong. “He said, ‘No matter what you’ve received from the people above you, it is your choice how you want to make sense of it and affect the way you lead.’ That really spoke to me.”
“The law is inherently very stressful, and maybe that’s why people lash out. But I hope that even if I’m having a very bad day, I would be able to control myself enough to lead people in a decent manner.”
Indeed, leadership and growth were common themes shared by all the panellists. Mrs Koh’s take on leadership and developing juniors, and her posture of always learning and growing, from her time as Solicitor-General and in the courts, resonated.
Likewise, Mr Ong shared about his wherewithal to stay the course, such as in business development, as he knew that he was leading a team of lawyers who were counting on him for a continuous flow of work. He added that, at different stages of practice, lawyers grow by mastering different skill sets and responsibilities.
Yet much of the retreat was deliberately given over to the participants themselves. Through small breakout discussions and larger group conversations, the lawyers spoke candidly about their experiences, with A/Prof Tan and lawyer-turned-life coach Ms Lim Su Ching stepping in to guide the conversations.
At the end of the session, Ms Lim, a former LSO herself, was heartened by the earnest postures of the participants to make the most of their time at the retreat. The research team’s intention was not just for them to have the “space to be” at a retreat, but also to engage with one another in community and to realise that they are not alone in their journey.
And perhaps most encouragingly, seeing a number of them staying back to hang out—and build their own community.
The project continues with further coaching and workshops. SAL’s Living Case Study portal will be updated with further developments.