Even from an early stage, Fanny Tam had aspirations of being a lawyer. “I started having the idea of going into law when I was quite young,” she recalls. “Now I have – and it’s as exciting and challenging as I expected.”

It was Fanny’s long-term commitment to a legal career that made her decide to take a double degree in commerce and law at the University of New South Wales. Before completing her degrees in June 2005, she began looking for the right firm to join. The choice proved straightforward, and she started her training contract with Herbert Smith in September 2006.

So, what won her over to Herbert Smith? “The feeling that I got from the firm was that it’s down-to-earth,” she explains. “The calibre of the work we do is top-tier, but we don’t feel the need to shout about it.”

From the start, Fanny was impressed by the amount of contact she had with partners and senior associates, and by the range and profile of the work she was given. “During my first seat, in litigation, I got a chance to work on the Monica Wong case (a high-profile dispute involving some US$15.4 million paid in advance by Ms Wong, a Hong Kong banker, for eight years of Latin dance lessons)… I handled the research into the interest on damages and drafted a note to counsel.”

This was followed by a six-month stint at Goldman Sachs, working with the investment banking legal team. As a result, Fanny gained valuable first-hand experience of IPO deal processes, as well as an in-depth understanding of debt and equity securities offerings and private placements. She comments: “As a second seater, I found the secondment to Goldman Sachs an extremely worthwhile experience. It was quite a challenging role, but I was given the opportunity to take on more responsibility for various matters... even when I was away from the firm, there was always support on-hand from Herbert Smith when I needed it. Overall, the secondment really sharpened my commercial awareness.”

Now nearing the end of her traineeship, Fanny says she has learnt the basics and will continue to develop a lot of skills – not least how to think like a lawyer, and how to listen to clients and try to cater for their wishes. “What I really value most is the supportive culture that I’ve experienced all the way through, and being given the chance to get involved in so many different areas,” she says.

Outside work, Fanny – in common with her colleagues at Herbert Smith in Hong Kong – has made time to get involved in community-based activities. In particular, she has helped out at the John F. Kennedy Centre, teaching English to physically and neurologically handicapped children. For the last two years, she has also taken part as a member of the Herbert Smith team in the charity fundraising Matilda Sedan Chair Race. “It’s a great way to do our bit for charity,” she explains, “and it’s also the perfect way to get to know other members of the office here. Plus, of course, it’s great fun!”