I graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws. At the beginning of my career, I was undecided between investment banking and commercial law firm, so I completed internships in both fields. Those experiences helped me realise that my genuine interest lay in law. Lawyers play a critical role in commercial transactions, not only by identifying and managing legal risks, but also by structuring transactions within complex legal and regulatory frameworks. I was drawn to the analytical rigour, problem-solving and intellectual challenge involved in that process.

Baker McKenzie’s full-service platform was one of the key reasons I joined the Firm. As an aviation enthusiast, I was initially drawn to its aviation finance practice and chose to experience the practice during my vacation scheme. During my training contract, however, I became increasingly attracted to the Capital Markets Group, where I found that I could bring together different aspects of my background: my legal training, finance degree, accounting knowledge, and understanding of the commercial environment in Chinese Mainland, where I grew up.

In many ways, a client’s journey with Baker McKenzie may begin in a similar fashion. A client may initially choose the Firm for the strength of a particular practice, such as capital markets, before discovering the value of our broader capabilities. Following an IPO, for example, we can continue supporting the client as its business evolves, whether in data compliance, cross-border M&A, tax, employment or intellectual property. To me, this ability to understand a client’s business from multiple perspectives and support its long-term growth is a defining strength of Baker McKenzie.

I will qualify into the Capital Markets Group, specialising in Hong Kong and US IPOs. At a time of rapid technological development in China, I feel privileged to advise pioneering companies in areas such as embodied intelligence, large language models and semiconductors. Supporting industry leaders through an IPO allows me to understand their businesses in depth, help them navigate complex legal and regulatory issues, and accompany them through an important milestone in their development.

My advice to future trainees is to remain curious and open-minded. Your initial interests may lead you to the Firm, but exploring different practices may help you discover where your strengths can make the greatest contribution.