Timothy Lam
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Linklaters
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Since leaving Exeter, I went on to complete my Masters in Law (Hons) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, graduating with the 2nd highest GPA in my year, and completed my P.C.LL. (a licensing masters in Hong Kong for lawyers), before starting my training contract at a UK international law firm. I qualified as an associate at Goodwin, a US law firm, doing a mix of private equity and venture capital M&A as well as leveraged finance. I am now based in Linklaters’ Hong Kong office, specialising in leveraged finance and private equity, and am currently on client secondment as legal counsel to HSBC’s leveraged finance desk within investment banking.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I have always had an interest in business and law since my teenage years. I think it is an excellent training ground to develop my critical thinking and challenge my intellectual capacities. As legal counsel to the various companies, I love to be involved in each of the interesting headline deals that companies are making, to advise them on the process, and solve these problems for them. The work is intense and challenging, I get to work with people at the top of their field on a daily basis, be it my colleagues, counter party, or our clients, and I also get an inside view of each business and how it’s run.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was on the committee as Treasurer for the University of Exeter Law Society (previously called the Bracton Law Society). I also participated in music and was the Conductor and President for the chamber ensemble.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I loved that the tutors were happy to discuss my work and help me improve my essays and writing during office hours (or beyond), even on a one-on-one setting. Biggest highlights would be my time on the law society committee where we hosted some of the most amazing social and networking events, and met some of my now close friends from around the world.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The friendliness of the people that I have met, the really well run law society which really helped provide insight on how to be prepared for a career in law, and the views. Amazing sunsets!
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I heard good things from various sources, including my friends, alumni, and mentors, and the rankings of the university is good, too.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Exeter gave me a solid foundation on the black letter law and the analytical skills that are required. Learning and education is not a force-feed cycle and simply going down a reading list; it is one where we proactive learn and strive to research further into the field with our own readings. Exeter taught me HOW to learn, which is the most useful skill in a career in law.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
I would say to really focus on your first year grades, as that’s the basis for your second year vacation scheme applications. Once you have your vacation schemes, do well in them, be proactive and likeable, turn in your assignments on time and communicate well. Hopefully by the end of the vacation schemes, you will secure a training contract offer!
What are your plans for the future?
I have learnt that things don’t always go according to plan, so I try to leave myself with the most options! Things I said I wasn’t going to do, I ended up doing, and it turned out to be things that helped my career too. I plan to continue down this path and see where it takes me!
