In this feature we go beyond legal rankings and directories to profile lawyers and share their interesting stories; from stand-out deals and cases to managing office politics, and their personal sacrifices for a successful career in law.
Here, we spotlight Yuen Phing Choo, a senior associate at Trowers & Hamlins, based in the international law firm’s Abu Dhabi office, having relocated from the Kuala Lumpur office in 2022.
Yuen Phing specialises in projects in the fields of renewable energy, rail & infrastructure, property development, and oil & gas. She shares the memorable projects she has been involved in during her nearly six years at the firm, including the first Waste-to-Energy plant in Palestine, and why, in her view, effective communication is the key to success in the profession.
Memorable projects
What are some of the most scandalous or stand-out projects you have worked on, involving elements that are uncommon related to the local culture?
I was part of the Trowers & Hamlins team advising the Palestinian Electricity Transmission Company (PETL) on the power purchase agreement (PPA) for the first Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant in Palestine. The WtE plant was to be constructed in the Zahrat Al Finjan landfill near Jenin, to convert 1,200 tonnes of residual municipal solid waste per-day into clean energy and resources. The force majeure regime in project documents generally have a reoccurring format to them. At the time, there was an emphasis on updating force majeure provisions to cater for pandemics (post-Covid) but the PPA needed to provide for a further category of force majeure for events linked to Israel. Force majeure provisions tend to be overlooked for being boilerplate but, in projects such as the WtE, the force majeure regime impacts the bankability of the project. This mandate required a firm grasp on bankability principles due to the associated geopolitical risks.
Another memorable mandate is a mega-project that Trowers was appointed on by a state-owned oil and gas entity in the UAE to act as lead counsel, which meant we advised on the procurement strategy, drafted the contracts, and negotiated with leading international contractors. This mega-project is a brownfield project to upgrade and expand the liquefied natural gas facilities on an offshore oil and gas operation hub where most of the construction will be on reclaimed land. This project comprised several work packages where each work package is of the scale to be awarded as a standalone project but were bundled into a single project because the work packages are dependent upon and interlinked with each other. Certain aspects of the procurement strategy such as the bundling were innovative, so I enjoyed working closely with the in-house legal team and the project team to ensure that the specific needs of the project and the procurement strategy were thoroughly considered and developed.
My practice is now focused on non-contentious projects and construction matters, but I am also experienced in dispute advisory and occasionally assist on arbitrations for projects and construction matters. The opportunity to have this breadth of work is one of the unique attributes of legal practice in the GCC.
Managing office politics
Decision-making in law firms can be hindered by internal politics and power games, causing delays in the overall progress of a firm. How do you navigate the negative aspects of office politics and manage its effects on the firm as a whole?
In my initial years of practice, I thought developing the stamina to take on an ever-increasing workload was the key to success. I now believe that the key to longevity and success in this profession is effective communication. Effectively communicating concerns, challenges, expectations, goals, and aspirations is very important to achieving a cohesive and collaborative team/firm. I find that effective communication is also an essential skill for dealing with clients!
My successes and sacrifices
Success often comes with sacrifice. What are some of the personal costs and potential regrets associated with a successful career in law?
I have worked through many family vacations and sick leaves. I did not take very good care of myself in my initial years of practice which ultimately took a toll on my health. While there is truth to the saying that nothing worth having comes easily, this career is a marathon, not a sprint, so finding the right balance for you (what is ‘right’ is subjective!) is very important.
