JC Master: A Lawyer’s Story | In an Uncertain World, Be the Unchanging You — Reflections from a Young Lawyer’s Internship

Before I knew it, nine years have passed since graduation. Picking up the textbook that feels both familiar and strangely foreign, I find myself recalling my days on campus—days that were both fulfilling and brimming with anticipation. At first, I thought they were a wild celebration of freedom, only to realize later that they were a precious time I could never return to. As I’ve been swept along by the currents of adult life, I’ve come to understand: those quiet moments spent with classmates in a corner of the library are now a luxury I can scarcely afford. It’s only after weathering storms that one learns: unless you climb the highest mountain, you’ll never know how vast the sky truly is. Sometimes I tell myself we’re still young, that life stretches long enough to endure a few trials and tribulations. After years of work, I’ve gone from flustered confusion at the outset to handling challenges with composure—a gift bestowed by time. And I officely believe that life is a journey: only through hardship and perseverance can we achieve something truly extraordinary.
 

Now, I have become a trainee lawyer. This internship is both the starting point of my legal career and a crucial transitional phase—moving from theory to practice. At the same time, I continually experience the joy of growth and the reflective insights that come with facing challenges. I recall my mentor once saying, “The life of law lies not only in logic but, more importantly, in experience.” The gap between textbook knowledge and real‑world practice can only be bridged through time, patience, and hard‑won lessons; only then do I realize that there may be no single, definitive “winning strategy.” In our work, the level of meticulousness required far exceeds what one might imagine. As the adage goes, “details determine success or failure”—even a misplaced page number on an exhibit or an error in calculating the statute of limitations can put an entire case at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, I am constantly seeking more efficient ways to work, managing my emotions, and calibrating my expectations—skills that are often even harder to master than technical expertise.
 

Like emerging from the clouds to see the sun, those moments of warmth and light have always illuminated my path. I feel truly fortunate to have joined Attorney Ling’s team—where even the smallest spark of warmth is magnified and met with boundless gratitude. From my first halting steps in preparing the litigation documents to where I am today, steadily finding my stride, I’ve grown and learned thanks to the guidance and support of my mentors and teammates. The road ahead may be long and fraught with challenges, but as long as we keep moving forward, we will arrive. I hope we can continue to carry this sincerity and passion, stay true to our original aspirations, and, on the journey ahead, pass on hope to one another.