After the Bar - Stories from the Legal Industry

• From Gangster to Lawyer: The Josephus Tan Story (Part 2)

  Imagine losing everything—could you fight your way back? In Part 2 of this episode, I continue my raw and powerful conversation with Josephus Tan, the "Gangster Lawyer." He reveals how he faced rock bottom and still found the strength to rise. Despite his career success, Josephus hit some brutal low points: Low Points: - Overcommitted to free legal work—almost bankrupt. - Marriage collapsed. - Suffered a mild stroke. - Ended up living in a van. But Josephus didn’t just survive—he came back stronger. His Comeback: - Started smoking at 12, quit at 45—his latest victory! - Rebuilt his life from nothing, twice. - Went from a 1-room flat to a penthouse. - Now a top lawyer, fiercely fighting for justice. In this episode, Josephus gets real about the hardest moments in life, the importance of second chances, and the advice he’d give his younger self. You’ll also hear critical tips on what to do if you’re arrested or caught in a police chase, and how defense lawyers handle client confessions. Josephus Tan’s story is your roadmap to resilience. This episode will move you—and leave you believing that no setback is final. Follow Josephus Tan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephus-tan-303352307/ Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/ More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode 00:48 Pro Bono Overcommitment Leading to Debt 03:42 Near Bankruptcy and Failure of First Marriage 07:16 Suffering from a Medical Emergency 10:41 Going on Medication for the Rest of His Life 11:44 Becoming Pest Buster for Vessels 13:49 Dangers of Working on Vessels 15:30 Life of Living in a Van 18:38 Moments When Josephus’s Pride Is Shattered 22:15 Josephus’ Support in Tough Times 23:26 Josephus’ Advice for Life Struggles 25:49 From Pest Buster to Penthouse Owner 30:58 Josephus's Take on Embracing Second Chances 34:25 Remarkable Journey to Quit Smoking 40:33 Action Steps for Arrest Situations 42:49 How to Respond to a Police Chase Situation 45:45 How Defense Lawyers Handle Client Confessions 50:02 What Would Josephus Say to His Younger Self? 50:51 Personal Questions for Josephus 55:06 Outro

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• From Gangster to Lawyer: Mental Health Struggles & Rising Through Faith – Josephus Tan (Part 1)

  In this episode, I sit down with an extraordinary guest, Josephus Tan, famously known as the "Gangster Lawyer," whose life story is a compelling testament to the power of transformation, resilience, and redemption.  Josephus shares candidly about his descent into gang life, his struggles with alcohol that led to destructive behaviour, and the moments of darkness that made him question his path.  At his lowest point, he nearly ended it all.  Discover how a profound spiritual awakening and a deep desire to make amends for his past guided him to quit drinking, pursue a law degree, and eventually train under the legendary criminal lawyer Subhas Anandan. Join us as we explore his journey from despair to purpose, learning how he overcame his inner battles and embraced a life dedicated to justice and helping others. Plus, for the first time on After the Bar, Josephus reveals an exclusive update—his decision to quit smoking this year. This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter one’s past, change is always within reach. Josephus Tan’s story will inspire you to believe in the possibility of redemption and the potential to create a better future. Follow Josephus Tan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephus-tan-303352307/  Connect with me on LinkedIn at   / shulinlee   More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode  00:38 Introduction  01:41 From Bankruptcy to Owning a Law Firm  03:11 Formative Years of Josephus’ Life  05:52 Being a Victim of Bullying in School  10:22 Why Josephus Turned to Joining a Gang 11:45 The Reason Most Young People Join Gangs  17:12 Growing up Tough in a Blue-Collar Family 18:30 Understanding the Gangster Lifestyle  22:05 Why Do Gangsters Do What They Do   23:28 Josephus’ Epiphany: Moving On from Gang Life 25:38 Experiencing Fulfillment in National Service 27:07 Old Habits Die Hard 31:35 Finding Clarity Through Prayer and Self-Acceptance 36:16 The Journey Through Depression & Seeking Help 41:35 Josephus’ Push to Get His Diploma 49:43 Chasing a Law Degree Against All Odds  54:04 A Mother’s Love Fuels His Promise to Do Good  58:36 Outro

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• Nailing Your Career Pivot, and Creating a Strong Personal Brand – Lara Quie

  ⛔️ Stop telling yourself you can’t pivot your career. Think it’s impossible? Meet Lara Quie. She went from: ➨ Lawyer to Montessori Teacher ➨ Teacher to Kitchen Designer ➨ Designer to BD Manager ➨ BD Manager to Coach ➨ Coach to Podcast Host Lara Quie, dubbed the “Queen of Pivots” 👸🏻, has done it all. She’s thrived in diverse roles across Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, Spain, Germany, and Belgium. Each transition wasn’t just a move—it was a reinvention. 🔥 — Our latest podcast episode features Lara’s incredible journey of transformation. Curious about: ➥ How to navigate a mid-life career switch? ➥ Can you make a U-turn if it fails? ➥ How to brand yourself on LinkedIn? Join us as Lara unveils the secrets of her career pivots, offering you a roadmap to follow. Learn from a top executive coach who’s just moved from Singapore 🇸🇬 back to the UK. 🇬🇧 🌟If Lara can pivot her career across multiple industries and countries, why can’t you? Ready to rewrite your career story? Follow Lara Quie: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraquie/ Podcast with Lara Quie:  https://thelegalgeniepodcast.buzzsprout.com Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/ More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode 00:40 Introduction 01:48 The Queen of Pivots: Lara’s Multiple Careers 08:34 Lara’s Opportunity Cost When She Pivoted 10:06 Having a Supportive Husband and Friends When Pivoting 12:55 The Legal Industry: Expectations vs Reality 14:47 Looking Back: What Lara Would Have Done Differently 16:00 Lara’s Coaching for Career Pivots 20:12 What to ‘Unlearn’ to Change Career Paths 23:22 Learn From Lara’s Experience in Career Pivots 26:24 How to Gain Clarity in What You Want to Do 29:22 If Money and Failure Were Not a Concern: What Would Lara Do  31:06 Lara’s Journey on LinkedIn 34:45 Tips for Personal Branding on Linkedin 42:56 How to Start on LinkedIn 45:39 Lawyers on LinkedIn with Strong Personal Branding 47:09 Lara’s Farewell to Singapore  48:56 Rapid Fire Round 51:09 Outro

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• Art, Law and Psychobitch: The Journey of a Multi-Hyphenate – Amanda Chong

  Meet the powerhouse behind Psychobitch. Amanda Chong is a lawyer trained in Harvard and Cambridge, with endless accolades. Outside of law, she’s an award-winning Poet, Playwright and Advocate for Social Justice. Her play 'Psychobitch' sold out in record time, cementing her reputation as a trailblazer. (Could she be Singapore’s answer to Taylor Swift?!) Simply put, she is a powerhouse you absolutely need to hear from. In this episode, explore: 🧩 The perception of single women in our society. 🖋️ Her unique approach to Poetry and Playwriting. 🎭 The story behind ‘Psychobitch’ and why it resonates with so many. 🌟 How she advocates for women and children, challenging societal norms and driving change. - Named ‘Her World’s Young Woman Achiever” in 2022, Amanda holds nothing back in this episode. Hear how she addresses gender dynamics, privilege, and the emotional layers behind her creative process. Join us as she shares her insights with humour and honesty. Listen now on Spotify! 🎧 #AfterTheBar #AmandaChong #Psychobitch #GenderEquality #ArtAndLaw #Inspiration #Podcast Follow Amanda Chong: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandawzchong/ More of Amanda Chong’s work:  Buy Professions at: https://epigrambookshop.sg/products/professions or https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789811112362.  Support Psychobitch’s run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2024: https://www.wildrice.com.sg/event/234995-psychobitch-2/  Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/ More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode 01:02 Intro 02:48 Amanda on Being Single 06:23 Accessibility to Opportunity, Being Placed On A Pedestal 10:12 Did The People Around Her Start to Treat Her Differently? 12:09 One Thing Amanda Wishes Other People Knew About Her 15:08 Her Journey As A Playwright 23:10 On The Success Of Psychobitch  27:11 Knowing The Boundaries of Taking Inspiration From Personal Life 32:31 Revisiting Memories In The Process Of Writing Psychobitch 37:20 What To Note When Writing Confessionally  41:55 Being Vulnerable & Honest In Work 47:31 Her Legal Career and Advocating for Women and Children’s Rights 54:44 Amanda’s Experience Prosecuting Sex Crimes Informs Her Art 01:00:08 Thoughts On Her Mom’s Sacrifice To Become A Homemaker  01:03:36 Rapid Fire Round 01:06:16 An Excerpt from “Monsoon Girls” 01:07:03 Outro

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• Nailing The Job Interview: Secrets, Tips and Best Practices – Tessa Arquilliere

  What are some things you must NEVER say in a job interview? How can you effectively negotiate your salary package?  What are the biggest mistakes people make during their job search? How can you turn your career transition into a success story Ten years ago, Tessa moved to Singapore from Spain to embark on a new career in legal recruitment. She went from knowing nothing about the legal industry in Singapore to becoming a director at Aslant Legal.  Tessa’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, discover how Tessa adapted to a new country, excelled in her career, and balanced starting a family. Hear from a former lawyer and seasoned legal recruiter about navigating the complex landscape of career transitions.  We’ll also dive into: How to stand out in an employer’s market? What to do if you want to pursue an international career in law? How did Tessa overcome her career transition adversities to thrive in a foreign market? Join us as Tessa shares her invaluable tips and tricks to ace job interviews, adapt to new environments, and advance your career internationally. Don’t miss this chance to learn from her incredible journey and get inspired to take your own career to the next level! Follow Tessa Arquilliere: LinkedIn -   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessa-arquilliere-60b63b21 Videos with Tessa Arquilliere:  https://youtu.be/8CWXO2a-T1Y?feature=shared https://youtu.be/1_egYETbG3s?feature=shared More on Battampore, an inspiring organisation founded to give children in rural Cambodia access to primary education: https://www.battampore.org/  Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/ More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode 00:33 Introduction 01:38 Aslant Legal & Tessa’s Role 02:38 What She Wishes She Knew As A Young Lawyer  03:36 The Best Career Advice She Ever Received 04:15 How She Resigned To Do A Career Change 05:46 Some Bad Career Recommendations To Ban 07:55 Common Mistakes People Make In Job Interviews 09:48 Expectations On Pay & Salary Negotiation When Moving Companies 11:06 Do We Need A Cover Letter? 12:57 Setting Yourself Up For A Successful First Interview 14:33 Moving From Spain to Singapore: Challenges And Perception On Singlish 17:52 Is There A Division Between Singaporeans And Expats? 19:13 Tessa’s Difficulties In Moving To A New Industry 20:25 Advice For A Career Pivot When We Have Children And A Mortgage 23:51 How To Prepare Before Moving To A New Country 24:57 Is Singapore Currently An Employers Market? 25:59 Standing Out In A Crowded Market 27:10 Asking For Internal Transfer 29:19 What Tessa Wishes She Knew Before Making Her Career Change 29:54 Looking Back, What Tessa Would’ve Done Differently 31:06 Her Reasons Behind Pursuing Real Estate Law 32:31 A Failure That Set Her Up For Success 36:22 Pro-bono Work Setting Up Schools in Rural Cambodia  38:54 How Tessa Manages All Her Commitments 39:46 Rapid Fire Round 41:14 Outro

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