Featuring: Lee & Lee

Interview with Ms Sundar Raj Miraculin Chrysolite

Chrysolite is an Associate in the Real Estate & Property Department at Lee & Lee LLP (“L&L”), having been admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2026. In this interview, she speaks candidly about her transition from student to practitioner, the day-to-day realities of legal practice, and how L&L provides a dynamic environment for young lawyers to begin their careers.

What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in law?

My interest in the law began with courtroom dramas, the kind of television that made the profession look thrilling. That early curiosity sparked my interest in the law, and carried me through the rigours of law school.

Why did you start your legal career at L&L?

My interest in Lee & Lee specifically was sparked by a friend who had interned at the firm and who had spoken highly of her experience here. That conversation left a lasting impression on me. I went on to complete an internship with the Real Estate & Property Department in late 2022, during which I was involved in legal research and document review, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I came away with a genuine appreciation for the exposure the firm was willing to give even to a budding lawyer. When the opportunity arose, I applied for a training contract with the firm.

Could you share more about L&L and the work in your Department?

Lee & Lee is a full-service firm with broad practices spanning many areas of Singapore law, including Real Estate & Property, Corporate, Banking & Finance, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property.

Our work in the Real Estate & Property Department in fact frequently intersects with other practice areas, including corporate work, probate and estate matters. This cross-disciplinary nature means that real estate lawyers at the firm regularly work alongside colleagues from other departments, which makes for a varied and intellectually engaging practice.

Can you share more about the cases that you worked on at L&L?

I have had the opportunity to work on a number of significant transactions. I remember a matter on which we had worked closely with our Banking Department, where the firm acted for the mortgagors’ solicitors in a transaction involving a property valued at approximately $300 million. Our work for that matter required a careful review of the relevant mortgage documentation. I have also been involved in work in relation to government land sales (where we acted for a tenderer in the acquisition of a land parcel) as well as the negotiation of sale and purchase agreements, including in the context of en bloc sales. These matters exposed me to high-value transactions early in my career, and taught me the importance of precision and thoroughness under time pressure.

How is your day-to-day as a junior lawyer in the Real Estate & Property Department like?

My day-to-day work is largely centred on correspondence and documentation. This involves managing a steady flow of emails and reviewing a range of documents, from legal instruments to completion accounts and letters, to ensure that every transaction proceeds accurately and on schedule.

I also attend client meetings from time to time, which allow me to engage directly with the people behind each transaction. One thing that often surprises people is how much numeracy the role demands, especially when it comes to preparing completion accounts.

How has the reality of legal practice compared with your expectations as a student?

What surprised me most was the amount of time spent on administrative work, be it on filing, correspondence, coordination with clients, alongside the substantive legal work. I also came to understand, in a way that law school could not quite convey, just how crucial it is to stay on top of deadlines. In practice, timelines can be unforgiving, and being organised is critical to ensure good and efficient workflow.

Describe the firm culture at L&L.

Lee & Lee has a down-to-earth and collegial culture. I really like how there is a genuine openness between colleagues, and partners across different practice areas are consistently willing to answer queries from lawyers outside their own department and share about their work. That accessibility fosters a supportive environment in which junior lawyers are encouraged to ask questions and to learn.

If you could sum up your experience at L&L in three words, what would they be and why?

Eye-opening, nurturing, exciting!

Eye-opening, because I started my legal career at Lee & Lee, and there has been no shortage of new lessons. A nurturing environment, because I get to be in an environment where partners, colleagues and secretaries are willing to teach you and guide you patiently. And always exciting, because no two days are quite the same! Each day brings about its own challenges, which keeps my work intellectually stimulating. Every day is dynamic – you never know when a client may request for an all-parties negotiation that very night.

What makes L&L a great place for young lawyers to launch their careers?

Firstly, I really like that this firm offers good mentorship and guidance. Senior lawyers are genuinely willing to teach and guide junior lawyers, and questions are welcomed. As for the firm, Lee & Lee was founded in 1955 and is one of Singapore’s oldest law firms. The firm’s legacy shows in the well-established practice areas, deep institutional knowledge and partners who offer expertise in a wide range of practice areas. For a young lawyer, this combination of hands-on mentorship and a firm held in high regard makes for an excellent foundation on which to build a career.

What do you enjoy most about your work at L&L?

I get to meet a wide range of clients and deal with many different types of properties, including, from time to time, issues one would not encounter in modern transactions. The variety in my work keeps it interesting.

Apart from the fulfilling work, it’s actually something rather simple, if I am going to be honest: our office location and view. I look out our office windows whenever I feel tired and need a break in the middle of the work day. Our office is located diagonally opposite the Supreme Court of Singapore, and directly opposite the Parliament House. You can even see Marina Bay Sands from our office! It is such a beautiful view.

What has been the most memorable experience in Lee & Lee so far?

One particularly memorable moment was when I held a cashier’s order for $50,000,000. As solicitors for the purchaser, we were required to attend completion at the vendor’s solicitors’ office with the relevant cashier’s order for the purchase price. In this instance, the total purchase price for the transaction was $532,999,999. Physically holding a cashier’s order of that size so early in my career was a striking reminder of the value represented by the transactions that pass through our hands. 

What qualities do you think are most important for success as a junior lawyer?

I believe that it is important for budding lawyers to have a genuine willingness to learn, and a strong and good work ethic. It is important to take ownership of your work. Everyone makes mistakes, and that is simply an inevitable part of practice and work in general. What distinguishes a lawyer of good character is being accountable for those mistakes, and having the humility to learn from them.

What advice would you give your younger self, or to students now considering a legal career?

Two things. First, that in reality, it only gets harder, but that also means that what feels overwhelming today will, in time, become manageable, even routine. So, hang in there and don’t give up! Second, perhaps don't choose your course of study on the strength of a good courtroom drama, however persuasive it might seem at the time. Take the time to understand and appreciate the discipline, grow an interest in it, so that you will continue to stay grounded in the study of the law. I am excited for what the future has in store for you, and hope to see you at our firm!

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To find out more about Lee & Lee, you may visit their website here or contact their firm via their website if you have any queries. We hope you have enjoyed this edition featuring Lee & Lee and gained new insights into the firm!

United Kingdom Singapore Law Students Society 2025-2026