32 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS – DECEMBER 2023 WWW.LEGALBUSINESSONLINE.COM ROUNDTABLE ALB: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in establishing and running your law firm successfully? Lisa Sam, managing partner, Lisa Sam & Company: Establishing and running my law firm taught me that success lies in striking a balance between empathy and sustainability. A law firm owner must manage both the business and the practice of law simultaneously. Both roles are equally important but can pull you in different directions. While legal expertise is imperative, running a firm also requires the lawyer to ensure the sustainability of operations. Running a law firm is not solely about work but also about being responsible to one’s employees and clients, and upholding the ethical values of the legal profession, which involves discharging your duties as an officer of the Court. The firm’s vision and mission are important and form the foundation upon which the practice, as well as its employees’ livelihoods, are built. AnyThe legal industry has often been described as a “boy’s club,” marked by a notable gender disparity, a hierarchical structure, and an exclusive atmosphere. However, a few female practitioners in Singapore have chosen to make their own rules by launching their own law firms. In this roundtable, three female law firm founders share their challenges, vision, and how they plan to capitalise on new opportunities. HER HOUSE HER LAWS Image: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com BY SARAH WONG
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