Valerie Kwok, Director

Qualifications: LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore
Joined: 1996
Practice: Corporate Department
Interests: Sports and Travelling

From the time I was reading law in NUS, the lure of fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping negotiations and corporate deals attracted me and I was sure I wanted to do banking and corporate work. Why Drew? Drew’s Corporate Department was and is known for being dynamic and for giving its lawyers an excellent foundation in a wide range of corporate work. The very next year after I joined, Drew sent me on an overseas attachment with a top London city firm and I was able to learn from the experiences of others and develop valuable legal skills in my area of practice.

My experience working in Drew has been enriching and the opportunities I have been given have enabled me to mature as a lawyer. I have been involved in significant corporate deals, ranging from a multi-billion-dollar merger of major players in the broadcasting and telecommunications industry in Singapore to acting for the Government investment vehicle in its disposal of the corporatised arm of a previous government department. The range of work I have undertaken with Drew has truly increased the depth of my practice. I have also been able to tap on the vast legal and administrative resources available within the firm.

But how do I capture in a few paragraphs why I’m in Drew? In a profession where work pressures may mean long hours or stressful deadlines, what’s also important is to be able to work in an environment where there is a culture of co-operation and togetherness. The enviable experience of someone going out of his way for you, a helpful hand being extended when you’re stuck with a matter that looks doomed to take you through the night or quite simply, the occasional friendly chats and coffee breaks…These are what I find in Drew. That is why I’m here.