‘Home-grown’ Business and Economic Law Clinic - Balancing Skills with Business Culture, Ethics and Integrity

Abstract

Nation resides on its own history, culture, religions and legal traditions. Though globalization and liberalization have brought Western legal culture into economic activities and business relationships in Asia, the way Asians view and practice business law remains predominantly Asian. With the growing economic power, Asian experience is portrayed as to offer an alternative model of capitalism. The idea of the Western legalism in many instances is limited to the required formality, taken to be less important than society's harmony, long-term relationships, networks, trust and informal contacts. In legal practice, influx of foreign firms due to liberalization will create competition for legal jobs in Asia. At this juncture, foreign firms seem to have leverage and greater advantage as they can provide better service on account of better resources and capabilities and larger network. To prepare for great challenges ahead for law practice at homegrown legal firms, students have to be exposed to not only legal skills and capabilities, but also to the reality of Asian business culture, ethics and integrity. Law in action business and economic law clinic will allow student to get comprehensive practical training now, rather than wait to learn from scratch on the job. In this way, future lawyers are prepared and could help maintain stability in Asian businesses by promoting strong ethics and integrity in the increasingly aggressive business environment.