September 2024: Sabrina Lee is a senior associate in White & Case's Asia Debt Finance and Restructuring group, based in Hong Kong. She shares her career story to date and what she finds exciting about being in our Hong Kong office.
I'm a White & Case 'lifer'!
I started here as a trainee and I'm still here ten years later. I've stayed here because the Firm has changed and evolved, just as I've changed and grown in my own career. The Hong Kong office, and the Firm's footprint in Asia, is much bigger now too.
This is a firm that's always planning for the next stage...
Typically, there is a five-year strategy for the Firm globally, so everyone who works here understands where we are, where we want to get to and how we're going to get there together.
...and knows that our people are our most valuable asset
Working at a firm with a clear strategy and goal is very inspiring, but it's the investment and focus on people who work here that brings it to life. For example, our three values – Pioneering, United and Human – really mean something. Everyone who works here lives our values every day. And it helps connect us all as one team, whether your colleague works in the office next door or on the other side of the world.
I work with other practices and across multiple jurisdictions
I deal with loan transactions. In terms of key clients I act on the lender or the borrower side, and there will be negotiations between the two parties. For example, if there's a company acquisition, the buyer will need funding, then there will be a financing and that's where I come in. Often I'm interacting with other teams within the Firm and across the globe.
The work and the people are global, and you can experience that for yourself
All our trainees get a guaranteed overseas secondment during their training contract. I spent six months as a trainee in London. I made a lot of friends during my secondment and when I visited London recently, I reconnected with all my old friends. You get a great personal as well as a professional network at White & Case. A lot of firms say they are global, but it's true in every way here: the deals, the teams, the clients and your own career opportunities. Not every associate can pick up the phone to a colleague in Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo, New York or Luxembourg etc. and know they're connecting to exactly the right person to help their client.
The Firm is helping me build my own leadership skills
There is a wonderful Global Women's Initiative in White & Case that helps female-identifying associates get the experience and training they need to build their careers. What I like is that I get the formal training, as well as the exposure to challenging work, and of course the chance to learn from some very impressive female leaders.
You have to give it a go
Imposter syndrome is really common. I think at some point, every trainee or associate doubts themselves. You have to find the confidence within yourself to give it a go. Even if you get it wrong, you'll learn something. As a junior, I was always willing to put in the effort, to keep going. I have a 'can-do' attitude, and that's something senior lawyers and your clients would appreciate.
New Diversity and Inclusion initiatives mean that we are always learning
I'm chair of the Hong Kong Diversity and Inclusion committee, and I've enjoyed creating our own traditions within the White & Case office. Every year, we celebrate International Women's Day with our female clients and male allies with something less traditional (such as arm-knitting, chocolate truffle making and mosaic art etc.). We also partnered with our client Deutsche Bank on a LGBTQ+ "Heatmap" for Asia-Pacific.
Like the Firm, I'm really interested in nurturing great mental health at work
I've recently completed a Masters in Buddhist counselling and I'm a big supporter of the Firm's initiatives to promote good mental health. We mark Mental Health month, there is support available for anyone who needs it and there's a really good attitude and open discussion around this.
There will always be challenges
I've learnt that at every stage of your career, there will be challenges. You don't get to the stage of thinking that you have achieved everything, so, just take a breath, be focused and enjoy the journey!
