An Intern’s Log - Brasen Sayson
As part of the Student Internship Programme with Temasek Polytechnic, Brasen Sayson (pictured right) spent four months embedded within the legal teams at Covenant Chambers. From conducting research on matrimonial matters to assisting with criminal mitigation pleas, his internship provided a high-intensity introduction to practice. In this log, Brasen reflects on how his time with us reshaped his perspective on his own future in the legal industry.
I was extremely fortunate to have interned at Covenant Chambers LLC (“Covenant Chambers”) for my Student Internship Programme with Temasek Polytechnic (TP). To be truthful, I had little expectations for my 4-month internship with Covenant Chambers– largely because it was my first internship and there was a slight sense of being “forced” to be here to complete my school curriculum. In hindsight, however, my internship with Covenant Chambers was nothing short of fruitful, enriching and enjoyable.
I was fortunate to be under Associate Director Rebecca Vathanasin and Director Sara Ng during my internship. From doing legal research for divorce and family cases for Rebecca, to drafting up representations and a mitigation plea for Sara’s criminal cases, there were plenty of opportunities for me to learn and grow the legal skills that I had learnt in TP. Further, the many discussions and conversations I’ve shared with Rebecca, Sara and many others here at Covenant Chambers have helped shape my decision of continuing to pursue law for my future studies.
As this was my first internship, I also had little reference for what a “great” law firm would look like, and didn’t know whether Covenant Chambers would be a great first firm. However, my time at Covenant Chambers has proven to set the standard for being an excellent, caring and family-centred law firm. From the get go, I was warmly welcomed by the Head of Business Development, Lemuel and the Head of Human Resources, Evelyn. They had impressed onto me from the beginning that Covenant Chambers is a “family-first” oriented law firm – with their priority set in taking care of its staff, especially its interns, as well as its clients. At Covenant Chambers, I felt like I was at home. From the countless conversations over cai fan in the office’s meeting rooms, to the bi-weekly firm breakfasts – where we can place work aside and get to know one another better. These conversations made Covenant Chambers feel more homely, and I was truly excited to go to work.
As I look back at my time at Covenant Chambers, I vividly recall the first Lee Ee Yang team meeting, where the other TP interns and I were asked a simple yet thought-provoking question: What do you want to achieve from this internship at Covenant Chambers? I had simply answered that I wished to figure out whether the legal industry was a place I wanted to work in the future (either as a practising lawyer or a legal assistant/paralegal). In hindsight, my time at Covenant Chambers has offered more than just insight into my potential future career path. They have nurtured me and allowed me to hone my skills. Where relevant, I received constructive feedback on my work and gave me the space I needed to correct my mistakes.
I am truly grateful for the time I had at Covenant Chambers, and would recommend anybody who wishes to learn and be nurtured from the best to apply here.
