Law in the family: A father-daughter reflection

People of NUS Law

As NUS Law prepares to move to our new home at the Kent Ridge campus, we celebrate our time at the current Bukit Timah campus through a series of heartwarming stories. What makes this campus special goes beyond its beautiful location and collection of historic buildings; it is the people that have walked these grounds that make the campus what it is. In this series, we showcase the people and heart of NUS Law.

 

Most daughters share a special bond with their father. But for Elaine Low ’14, this bond extends beyond the family to her professional life as well. Like her father, veteran lawyer Peter Cuthbert Low ’77, Elaine walked the halls of NUS Law at the Bukit Timah campus before joining him at Peter Low Chambers LLC, the law firm that Peter set up. Bound not only by family ties, but also by a shared calling to the law, Peter and Elaine reflect on how their lives and the law are intertwined.

For Justice and Equality

With a career built on fighting for justice for the underdog, it would come as a surprise that Peter’s decision to enter law school was driven by pragmatism. After securing a place in the Arts and Social Sciences Faculty, he discovered that civil service salaries were comparably higher for law graduates and requested for a transfer to the Law Faculty at the then University of Singapore. As a result of that practical decision, he found his life’s calling.

“In law school, I loved studying about constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, criminal procedure and family law. They exposed me to the values of the rule of law, of justice and fairness, of free speech and free assembly, of equal protection of the law and of protection of life and personal liberty. These values inspired me to take the path where I could pursue legal remedies for whoever needed a lawyer and, in later years, to represent clients pro bono and low bono,” he said.

Upon graduation, Peter took on roles as State Counsel and Deputy Public Prosecutor but realised that he wanted to defend the vulnerable, save clients from the gallows, as well as represent wives in divorce cases—he viewed women as being usually more financially disadvantaged in marriages. After a short stint at the biggest law firm representing big corporations and wealthy clients, Peter struck out on his own and opened his own law firm. “I wanted to represent the common man,” he said.

Inspired to Make a Difference

Watching her father at work, sometimes from the wooden bench in the gallery during court trials that her mother took her to, laid the foundations for Elaine’s interest in the law.

“As I learnt more about the criminal cases and constitutional challenges that my father was involved in through the papers, what struck me was all the dedication that my father poured into his work behind-the-scenes and some of the attendant risks that came with handling politically-sensitive cases.

“Even if his clients did not often prevail in those cases, I could see that his work made a real difference in lives, and that redefined what success in the courtroom meant to me. He was an inspiration for me growing up and his dedication to his clients and his cause motivated me to help the underprivileged,” Elaine shared.

While Elaine had the opportunity to study law overseas, an option that Peter did not have at his time, NUS Law was, for her, an obvious choice. She explained, “My intention was always to practise law in Singapore and it made sense to build a community and foundation in the local legal industry.”

That was exactly what she achieved in her four years at NUS Law. Elaine describes her law school experience as being shaped very much by her peers. “We formed study groups that supported, challenged and tested one another. We studied hard but also enjoyed our time in school. I remain friends and keep in touch with the connections I made through the Asian Law Students Association in Singapore and overseas,” she said. In fact, Elaine continues to serve as the Class Ambassador for the Class of 2014.

The Awakening Years

While they enjoyed hanging out at the same spots on campus, in particular the Upper Quad where studying, sports and parties took place, Elaine’s experiences at NUS Law were vastly different from her father’s, which came more than three decades earlier.

Peter was part of the first batch of male pre-university students that were required by law to serve National Service full time before being allowed to enter university. This evoked feelings of anxiety over whether they could be on par academically with their female classmates. Peter’s cohort was also made up of many Malaysian students, who were among the best in their country, adding to his anxiety. However, as he settled into law school, the anxiety dissipated.

What took its place was excitement, especially in his second year of law school in 1974, which was marked by a surge of student activism through the University of Singapore Students’ Union (USSU). He witnessed an era when students, brought on by a sense of furore, campaigned on humanitarian and socio-political issues—from bus fare hikes and retrenchments, to supporting flood victims in Bangladesh and protesting against ISA detentions. The USSU was dissolved in 1975, but those experiences left a lasting impression on him. “Years 2 and 3 were politically awakening years, which led to me representing unpopular persons and unpopular causes for many years after graduation,” he explained.

Balancing Family and the Firm

“One of the biggest challenges I face being my father’s daughter is the weight of having big shoes to fill,” Elaine admitted. Working at Peter’s law firm, along with her older sister Christine, was not an easy ride. From the start, Peter set the bar high, extensively correcting their work, challenging their judgment calls and pushing them to the front line to manage clients and conduct hearings. As demanding as it was, Elaine came to appreciate how those experiences gave her both confidence and independence. “Anyone who has worked with my father will attest that he is an extremely gentle and nurturing mentor. His love for the law and for people is infectious.”

Today, beyond managing their cases, Christine and Elaine also share the responsibility of running the firm. Peter reflected, “We work as a team and support one another, especially when difficult judgment calls are required,” adding that “my personal and professional life have been enriched by working alongside my daughters. We share not only the successes and joys but also the trials and tribulations.”

For Elaine, who has practised law for a decade, the cadence of family and firm has evolved over time. “When we were younger, work never stopped. It continued in the car to and from work and even during dinner,” she said. “Now that I’ve moved out and have two young children of my own, we treasure family time much more and try to strike a better balance.”

Peter, too, has become intentional about separating work and family. “I make a conscious effort to refrain from discussing work during family dinners, especially since my wife and eldest daughter aren’t lawyers. And with my very young grandchildren around, they inspire me to focus my attention on them.”

The Legal Landscape Through the Years

From the little girl who was awestruck by towering structures in court to the seasoned lawyer she is today, the passage of time has also seen great changes in the practice of law. Remarking on the differences, Elaine highlighted how today’s practice is multifaceted and cross-border, requiring collaboration across jurisdictions. “Legal practice is very edifying because I learn so much on the job and especially from lawyers with different specialties,” Elaine reflected.

In contrast, there was less specialisation in practice areas in the late 1970s. As Singapore’s economy matured, the nature of legal disputes has grown more complex and often more document-intensive, Peter observed, noting that the practice of law has become more fast-paced with clients expecting instant responses.

Nonetheless, the human aspect of their work remains constant, be it client-facing or team-building. “While there is always room for growth, the firm’s familial culture has helped us weather many storms together,” said Elaine. “I’ve learnt that clients may be initially attracted by accolades and titles but, ultimately, trust is built over time and consistency.”

A Voice for the Voiceless

Having witnessed with delight his daughter’s journey from an aspiring lawyer to a graduate of his alma mater NUS Law and now at his side at the firm, Peter’s hope for Elaine is that she will always be guided by compassion and empathy.

“I hope that as she grows in her career, she will continue to use her legal knowledge and experience to be a friend of the underdog, just like her daddy,” he said with a laugh.

Judging by how Elaine has shown the same moxie that her father possessed in cases spanning public interest litigation, criminal defence, civil and commercial litigation, and matrimonial litigation, we believe the apple won’t fall far from the tree.