Doing business anywhere in the world it is advisable to have a good lawyer close at hand. \u00a0In this interview, George Hwang shows that there is more to him then just being a lawyer.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s your story?<\/b><\/p>\n
I started my own firm for various reasons. Mostly from the heart.Law firms, though commercial concerns, have more than an economic role in society. They should uphold justice.<\/p>\n
Lawyers should be able to stand up for anyone against everyone, including the establishments.<\/p>\n
Many law firms do not take on cases for \u201cpolitico-commercial\u201d reasons. One of my practice areas is Entertainment and Media Law. I do not like being told to reject challenging and exciting cases.<\/p>\n
What excites you most about your industry?<\/b><\/p>\n
That we can be agents of change.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s your connection to Asia?<\/b><\/p>\n
Let me see:-<\/p>\n
I am born and bred in Singapore. My first job has been in Hong Kong.My mother tongue is Chinese. I speak Mandarin at home.<\/p>\n
My mother is Shanghainese. My father is Cantonese. My godparents are Heng Hwa. They are all migrants. They are the reasons why I speak a \u201crojak\u201d of Chinese dialects.<\/p>\n
I used to listen to stories of how my father was carried to school by his nanny in Canton and how he taught himself English.<\/p>\n
My maternal grandparents were Shanghainese though they communicated with each other in English. This is hearsay since I have never met them.<\/p>\n
My siblings are born in Singapore. And I have been home in Singapore for the last 10 years.<\/p>\n
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?<\/b><\/p>\n
Hong Kong. They make good decisions quickly. There is also a tenacity, the ability to rebound and to reinvent. Most of all, you sense the vibration of Adam Smith\u2019s \u201cinvisible hand\u201d walking down Central.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the best piece of advice you ever received?<\/b><\/p>\n
Smiling causes fewer wrinkles than frowning.<\/p>\n
Who inspires you?<\/b><\/p>\n
My mother. She ran away from her \u201cteacher\u201d at 16 and had a career.<\/p>\n
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?<\/b><\/p>\n
Not only can I run a company for MNCs, I can also start one. We have just been awarded the \u201cBoutique Entertainment and Media Law Firm of the Year in Singapore\u201d by Corporate INTL.<\/p>\n
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?<\/b><\/p>\n
Master written Chinese and accept the offer to read European Politics at the Science-Po in Strasbourg.<\/p>\n
How do you unwind?<\/b><\/p>\n
A glass of nice wine with a few good friends.<\/p>\n
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?<\/b><\/p>\n
Seam Reap. I can visit mystical old temples by day and dine in little chic restaurants at night.<\/p>\n
Everyone in business should read this book:<\/b><\/p>\n
Good grief. It is highly immoral to tell people what to do.Besides, I believe in the diversity of ideas and this is how I run my firm.<\/p>\n
How can people connect with you?<\/b><\/p>\n
Be themselves. If one of us does not like the other, at least, we are not wasting the other party\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/georgehwanglaw.com\/contact.html<\/p>\n
The interview was first produced as part of the Callum Connects column, a daily interview series with top leaders, found on The Asian Entrepreneur.<\/b><\/p>\n