Author: Teh Shu-Yi
Company: TEH & SOONG ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS 郑与宋律师楼
Profession: Civil Litigation
Position: Lawyer
A LIFE WORTH PASSING ON
By Teh Shu-Yi
Growing up, I have always followed my interests and my heart. I have never simply accepted life for what it is; I have always wanted more. I believe that life is not about choosing from the options that already exist, but about expanding what is possible to achieve what you want.
In school, when there was no drama club, I tried to convince the principal to allow me to start one. I gathered students who shared the same interest and put together a skit for the principal. Although we did not succeed in starting a drama club due to budget constraints, at least we fought for it. We were disappointed, but we were also proud of ourselves for being able to pull our efforts and resources together to make the performance happen.
That same mindset carried me into my career as a litigation lawyer. I did not want to be confined to one area of practice. I knew I wanted a good mix of legal work, so I joined a midsized law firm where I knew I would not be departmentalised. Not only did I have the chance to do corporate advisory work, but I also had the opportunity to deal directly with clients and
conduct trials on my own.
I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and trust that were given to me. But as I stepped into my sixth year of legal practice, I wanted a change. I wanted to build a law firm of my own, one based on my values and principles. In 2023, I founded Messrs. Teh & Soong with a partner who shares similar values and principles.
However, as meaningful as that step was, my most defining transformation did not come from my career. That moment came when my daughter was born.
Motherhood shifted everything for me. Before becoming a mother, I was simply trying to live my life to the fullest. Now, I have a compass, a direction, and a purpose in life.
That purpose is to model the life that I want my daughter to live, because I have realised that I am her first example of what a woman can be. Children learn far more from what we do than from what we say. Therefore, if I want her to believe that she can reach for the stars, I must continue reaching for mine. If I want her to be true to herself and free from what society
expects of her, I must do the same.
I want my daughter to know that she is not limited by circumstances, fear, or tradition. She can build, create, and redefine her own path.
I believe every woman has the power to shape not only her own future, but also the future of those who are watching her. Whether we are mothers, daughters, sisters, or mentors, our actions give others permission to dream bigger.
My journey thus far has taught me that success is not simply about money. It is about having the courage to choose your own path, and to keep choosing it even when it is difficult.
So I choose to live boldly and unapologetically. I choose to keep expanding what is possible. And, most importantly, I choose to show my daughter, through my actions, that she can do the same.