Sim Wen Yee, a legal expert in family matters, is as passionate about her work as she is about jazz! Technical as it may sound, the solicitor handles International Probate and Estate Administration matters with an unparalleled finesse. She provides legal advice and solutions to feuding families and finds it highly satisfying.
In an interview with Business Frontier, the Founder and Partner of Sim & Rahman Advocates & Solicitors, opens up abouther leadership approach and the qualities needed in alawyer specialising in family matters.
Q. What made you choose the legal profession?
I find it immensely satisfying to handle different types of family dynamics and estate distribution and provide the best advice and solutions. I am grateful to be a lawyer specialising exclusively in wills; international probate and estate administration matters; family offices, and advising clients on managing their family assets distribution as well as being an advisor relating to how to manage the client’s family businesses.
Q. Give us an overview of the initial stages of your professional journey.
I started with my conveyancing practice and found my specialisation in estate administration along the journey. With experience in drafting effective client-benefit agreements, I entered wills, probate, and estate administration, starting my own practice after the second year.
Q. What was the motivation behind creating Sim & Rahman Advocates and Solicitors?
The initial motivation behind the birth of Sim & Rahman Advocates and Solicitors was to help families resolve their feuds as amicably as possible. Due to cases coming up on a daily basis, I decided to start my own practice. We have been blessed with the trust of our clients which allows us to excel in our endeavours.
The firm’s two branches in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, help us function efficiently. Having extensive experience handling family estate issues including both non-contentious and contentious matters, we have started our training institute called ‘Malaysia Law Institution’. It is the first institute in the country to train lawyers, insurance advisors, trustees, bankers, and practitioners both locally and abroad on actual case studies and provides knowledge that only a practitioner can impart. Our trainers are experienced lawyers and professionals from financial businesses across Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Q. You specialise in wills, estate administration and family matters. What special qualities and skills does a solicitor need to argue cases in these areas of law?
A lawyer specialising in wills, estate administration and family matters should possess high emotional intelligence, have a good understanding of family dynamics and background as clients are usually family members with different beliefs, race, upbringing, family values and education. One needs to have knowledge of the legal aspects in addition to corporate governance, company law and practices, family law, investment products, banking facilities, nature of debts and types of liabilities.
Q. What is your approach to leadership and which is your favourite leadership style?
Leaders are learners. A great leader inspires others to be good leaders too and grow in their pursuits. Being a leader does not necessarily entail a lofty role. Even a homemaker can be a good leader, guiding others to perform household chores to the best of their abilities.
As the leader of my team, inspiring team members is the key to my success. Taking the lead in everything, including training staff, to become leaders is a key factor helping our team grow. My favourite leadership style is inspiring others to lead. Without a great leader, an organisation can’t grow and taste success.
Q. You are also a trainer. What are the topics you hold training sessions on?
I am a trainer certified by Human Resources Corporation. I train lawyers, insurance advisors, housing developers, trustees, bankers including clients on areas such as the importance of functional will, trust law, family offices setup, conveyancing practices, and contracts.
Q. What are your areas of interest away from work?
I love jazz music and listen to it to relax. Cooking, gardening, and property investments are my other areas of interest, which keep me occupied when I am not working.
