Cathryn Neo

⚒️ What do you do?

I am a partner in PDLegal LLC, a mid-sized full-service firm. I specialise in international commercial disputes and work closely with the China Practice.
I am triple qualified – in Singapore, England & Wales and Australia – and I hope to use this.
I am also the co-chair of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators’ Young Practitioners Network.  

In 2022, I established the Jalan Kayu Legal Clinic, a joint effort between the People’s Association and Law Society’s Pro Bono SG. I work closely with volunteer lawyers and students to assist residents on a range of legal issues.  

🏆 What is your proudest achievement?

I try to celebrate small wins with every matter that I work on because it helps to keep me motivated and grateful as I continue in practice. Some of these include finalising a settlement for a long running dispute of over 20 years (which started way before I was admitted to practice!) and giving a presentation on arbitration entirely in Mandarin.  

I also mentor children from underprivileged families with Trans Family Services. My proudest achievement was teaching a young girl how to hold a pencil, read the alphabet and then helping her pass an entrance examination to get into a local primary school – she was a foreigner and had no automatic access to local education.  

⌛ There are now 25 hours in a day! How do you spend your extra hour?

More time playing with my two cats, Gingy and Lady Grey, whom I constantly feel guilty about not spending enough time with.

I would make cat toys out of recyclable materials (boxes, toilet rolls, ribbons and even paper balls) and they would be very amused by all of it!
Clients can be rest assured that they will not divulge the confidentiality of the contents of each used paper ball!
  
🚀 If you weren't a lawyer, what would you do?

Run a cat shelter to house, rehabilitate and rehome community cats. I do this on an ad hoc basis now and I feel a huge sense of contentment when I follow up with these rehomed cats and their new lives.    

😋 Your favourite food haunt (bonus points if it's off the beaten track!)

Prawn paste chicken from No. 5 at Emerald Hill. This dish is absolutely one of the best I have tried in Singapore – grab them whilst they are freshly fried! To add to that, great music and a vibrant atmosphere.
  
Note: This interview was edited for clarity and length.