Haitao Pu (Australia)
Melbourne Law School is one of the best law schools in the region and is highly regarded in the world, the Melbourne JD is a practical course with strong teaching that required great intellectual and physical commitment.
I found the learning curve very steep when I started the JD. The course was challenging at first but my comfort and confidence grew and I was proud to win the ABL Corporations Law Award and complete the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice Program with the Australian National University almost currently with the JD course.
Since completing the Melbourne JD in early 2005 I have worked as a corporate solicitor, initially for Mallesons Stephen Jaques in the Melbourne Mergers and Acquisitions group. Since 2008 I have practiced in Hong Kong as an associate for Slaughter and May and have worked across a range of areas including Capital Markets, Mergers and Acquisitions, Banking and Finance and Investment Works.
I most enjoy seeing a deal I’m working on being closed successfully and the continuous learning and challenge involved when working on an issue that I have never faced before.
In practice, I constantly use three sets of skills developed in the Melbourne JD. I rely on technical legal skills to identify issues and give advice on solutions and use drafting skills learned through exercises in the JD program daily. Because I am a corporate lawyer, I often work with colleagues in various practice areas and regional offices. The skills I learned from teamwork and cohort learning put me in good stead to work well with a variety of people.