TSMP Law Corporation joint managing partner Stefanie Yuen Thio was interviewed by CNA in an article published on 27 September on a pro bono collaboration TSMP has with international law firm Morrison & Foerster, which works with advocacy group ItsRainingRaincoats to help migrant workers. Because MoFo is not qualified to provide legal advice in Singapore, TSMP provides this support once legal intervention is required.

She said: “When you need a lawyer to give Singapore legal advice or to fight in court, that’s when we need to get rustled up.”

She added that it is rare for an international law firm in Singapore to be so deeply drawn into such pro bono work which is more demanding on time as the lawyer could have to “drop everything” to help a worker who only has a few hours to get his issue solved.

“I’ve done a lot of pro bono work, but the emotional investment in reviewing contracts or serving on the board of an NGO is a lot less than when you have someone’s life, livelihood and the wellbeing of his family back home at stake,” she said.