Recently, we were delighted to host Summer, a Bachelor of Laws student from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as part of her internship at KASS International. With a passion for law, debate, and intellectual property, Summer chose Kuala Lumpur not only to connect with her Malaysian and Indonesian roots but also to gain hands-on experience in a fast-evolving area of law. From writing insightful articles for the KASS blog to shadowing client meetings and exploring trademark work, her journey with us was filled with learning, growth, and plenty of memorable moments.
Tell us about your educational background. What are you pursuing as a Degree and why?
I am an upcoming Year-2 student studying Bachelor of Laws in The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a child I always looked up to those eloquent and confident barristers in court, the charisma and assertiveness are qualities I always admired. I like pondering into open-ended questions and debating, so naturally I chose Law.
What made you choose to do your internship at KASS?
My grandparents are Malaysian and Indonesian, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore my roots here in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Also, I do believe that the future demand for IP experts will rise due to the development of AI. Interning at KASS will be a great way to equip myself with relevant knowledge and get to the nitty-gritty practical skills as a IP lawyer.
How has your experience with KASS been? What specific skills or experiences do you hope to gain during this internship?
Working in the trademarks team, I get to experience a wide range of work. I personally enjoyed writing articles for the KASS blog, which is pretty similar yet different from what we do in Law school. The KASS blog targets business owners, laymen, or those who are interested in IP. Therefore, for my own articles I try to blend in my own insights of the given case, what message a particular judgement sends to the public and what it means for the future of IP law. I hope my article helps those who want to understand law in a “non-gibberish” way.
Apart from that, I got to shadow clients meeting, conduct trademark searches and of course, participate in a lot of KASS team building event. The KASS crew is very welcoming and willing to help, the office is always filled with laughter and joy!
Before starting my internship, I am eager to learn how the working culture here in Malaysia is different from other cities/ countries. I am also interested in knowing existing grey-areas in IP infringements so that I will know how to better protect the clients’ rights. As I am approach the end of my internship, I can safely say, the experience did live up to my expectations, and beyond!
What are your passions / interests in life?
Being a Law student can have quite a busy schedule, I like to spend time in the yoga studio to whine down after a hectic day. Aerial yoga, pole and aerial hoop are my favourite type of movements, it allows my brain to take a break off work while still having that challenging element. I teach Pilates on the side as well, which is completely unrelated to Law! The energy my students bring to the class always lift me up. It also trains me think fast, devising a program on the spot targeting student’s individual needs could be quite challenging. Putting myself in these situations surely prepares me as a future lawyer/ barrister in court to react fast. So many skills you gain as an instructor are transferrable to your professional life!
What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of your academic and professional life?
I love travelling and outdoor activities, particularly those which involved the ocean. Surfing, swimming, snorkelling, basically everything! Travelling now means so much more than shopping and strolling around the city to me. I prefer trying a new sports or activity over buying a new pair of heels. Nothing beats a reading a good book on the beach with a cooling coconut!
Do you have a favourite musician or band?
Well, I don’t necessarily have a favourite, but I do have a “roster” of artists I like. Taylor Swift for a morning hype (basic, I know); Ariana Grande and Eric Chou for some sing-along sessions; Blackpink and Twice for dance cardio; and of course, ending the day with some Post Malone sad songs to drain the sorrow away.
Any Netflix shows or movies you’ve enjoyed recently?
All-time favourite movie is surely Crazy Rich Asian. Fancy scenes and simple storyline, just my type. Current favourite Netflix show would be Sex and the City, highly recommend for my “deep-thinkers” who is always pondering about life and wants a quick episode for daily consumption.