Clyde & Co Singapore was recently awarded the ‘Law Firm of the Year Award’ – and we are truly proud that the recipient of this awesome award was our Alumnus Mr Thomas Choo, from the GIS Class of 1998!
Thomas, can you tell us about your life after GIS?
Sure! I spent a few years at German Swiss International School in Hong Kong, before I relocated to Surrey, United Kingdom to attend boarding school at Epsom College. I then received a scholarship to study law at the University of Bristol.
After university, I started my legal career at a Singapore corporate law firm, Allen & Gledhill. Fast forward to today: I am a corporate partner at the Singapore office of the global law firm Clyde & Co, where I help clients from across the world to invest and grow their businesses in the Asia Pacific region.
Can you tell us more about the ‘Law Firm of the Year’ award?
The Education Investor Asia Law Firm Award promotes excellence and recognize innovation in the private education sector. The judging panel (comprised of industry leaders) was looking for organizations that have made an outstanding and admirable contribution to education.
Clyde & Co was entrusted by our clients to work on a number of high profile transactions in the education sector, and we hope to have made a significant contribution to the industry, not only in Asia but across the globe. We were honoured to have received the Law Firm of the Year award despite a stringent judging process (and some tough competitors)!
How did you feel accepting this award on behalf of your firm?
It was an honour to be recognized by industry leaders in the education space, so I am tremendously proud of what my firm and team have achieved. I would like publically to thank my team for their hard work, dedication and consistent drive for excellence.
On a more personal note, it is a privilege to be working in the education sector and striving to create a world-class platform for our future generations. We look forward to continuing to support the sector and our clients in this space.
Do you have any advice for staying personally and professionally fulfilled?
Be passionate about what you do and be thankful for what you have! Being able to make contributions to society have also been my personal mantra to success. I was fortunate to have found my passion in the early stages of my career.
Outside of work, I like to travel and experience different cultures and people’s way of life. In my spare time, I also volunteer at local community centres for those in need, and have also tried to instill this spirit within my Firm in my capacity as the chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility committee.
Can you share with us any fond memories of your time at GIS?
I still remember the layout of the (now rather historic!) campus at Cheras till this day, and us students playing archaic games like “five stones” and hopscotch during our short canteen breaks.
I would like to express my gratitude to all of my teachers at GIS for their invaluable guidance during my tender years, my Firm for their support over the last few years and my family who has been so supportive and understanding.
Finally: What would be your advice to our current students?
Be brave and curious: gain as much exposure as possible in various subjects and industries before making your mind on what to pursue. And of course, never forget about life outside of work and school. It is important to strive for a well-rounded and balanced life!