In a commentary, Dean of SMU Yong Pung How School of Law Professor Lee Pey Woan and SMU Associate Professor of Law Chen Siyuan, who is also Associate Dean (Student and Alumni Affairs) and Director of the Ian R Taylor International Moots Programme, highlighted the need to better prepare future lawyers for the demands of the profession. They stressed that law schools should move beyond traditional academic training by fostering resilience, global exposure, and a strong sense of purpose. To address high attrition rates, they advocated bridging theory and practice through mentorship, multi-disciplinary learning, and stronger industry -academic partnerships. They also emphasised the importance of instilling core professional values and encouraging open dialogue between generations to sustain the legal profession.
