The Malaysian Bar - YL Personality: Albert Ding Choo Earn

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YL Personality: Albert Ding Choo Earn

Thursday, 09 August 2007 10:30pm

Contributed by the National Young Lawyers Committee

Albert Ding is currently practising in Johor Bahru, having being called to the Bar in November 2005. He is the Deputy Chair of the Johor YLC and represents it on the NYLC. Donovan Cheah spoke to him.

Who influenced you to become a lawyer?

My parents are a major influence. They have always been very encouraging and supportive throughout my life and education. Had it not been for them, I think I would most likely have a business degree.

Tell us one of your most memorable experiences in practice.

My most memorable experience would have to be conducting my first full trial on my own in my first year of practice.

This experience is one marked deeply in my memory as I had to prepare all the examination-in-chief questions and statements, and cross-examination on my own. It was exhausting both mentally and physically especially with all the tension in the courtroom. Perhaps my experience was just a small fraction of advocacy work but it is that which attracts me to practice now, and for the future. I still need more time to explore different areas of the law.

It is not uncommon to see lawyers today being portrayed as dishonest or crooked in the media; from books to television programs and movies. Isn’t this negative stereotyping?

There are two sides to every coin. This type of stereotyping will never end as there will always be ‘black sheep’ in every profession. The only reason I can think of why lawyers have always been the subject of negative stereotyping by the media is because we are interesting ‘subjects’. We attract the attention of readers and viewers. Unfortunately, being lawyers, we will have to live with the stereotyping. But as long as we act with dignity, honesty and trustworthiness, I believe our actions will earn the trust of the public, and we will prevail in the end.

In a recent report regarding numerous incidents of breaches of trust being committed by lawyers, the Malaysian Muslim Lawyers' Association president, Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman commented that the Government should tighten rules to ensure that fresh graduates are not allowed to open their own firms without an experienced partner.

This perception about young lawyers should be corrected unless there is real and hard evidence, and proof in facts and figures that a high number of CBT cases are actually committed by young lawyers; and that they have been found guilty of it. The mere assertion, if any, of CBT cases by junior lawyers cannot mean that one is guilty as charged. One is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty. The benefit of the doubt must be afforded.

The Conveyancing Practice Committee is proposing to tighten rules regarding the management of client's accounts

Depending on the nature of the recommendations, there are pros and cons to this. The client's interests may be better protected but this may be at the expense of legal firms. However, I would view the intentions of review to be good, but it must not be done in a way that would overburden the legal firm managing the client's accounts.

With the recent pay hike for government servants, has there been a change in the quality of services provided?

From what I have encountered so far, I would say nothing much has changed. The friendly staff are still friendly, but there are those who are not so friendly who are still the same. Pay increases have not much to do with the services provided by government staff. I believe that pay increases for government servants will only attract more people to join the government sector, and this does not guarantee good service. Good service can only be maintained by the implementation of standards or models by the government itself.

Why did you join the YLC?

I was prompted by the opportunity to participate with other young lawyers in both state and national levels to express our views concerning various social issues and the Bar; and in organising various events to help promote and protect the interest of young lawyers.

This is your first year serving in the YLC. How has it been so far? What are the steps that can be taken to encourage more young lawyers to join and be involved in the NYLC?

I do not think it is difficult to get young lawyers to join the YLC or NYLC. Having said that, I personally feel that the intricate part would be in getting young lawyers to be more actively involved within the said committees. In my opinion, one of the steps would be to encourage new members with opportunities for greater participation by getting involved in the various events organised by the committees, and if necessary with the proper guidance.