Tan Swee Im
⚒️ What do you do?
My current role is as an independent neutral, mainly sitting on Arbitral Tribunals as sole arbitrator or on panels of three. I also undertake appointments to Dispute Boards which I find very interesting and constructive.
In addition, I sit as adjudicator on statutory adjudications. I am currently working on several arbitrations in the energy and infrastructure sector which projects range from petrochemical plants to highways. Also, on arbitral and Dispute Board appointments in aviation related projects, which is one of my favourite sectors.
I regularly speak at and moderate panels in seminars and conferences, as well as being active on diversity initiatives including the ERA Pledge.
What is your proudest achievement?
Being a part of nation building in Malaysia, with significant involvement in key infrastructure projects including KL International Airport, Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Tun Razak Exchange. This nation building also includes being a part of the growth of the arbitration and ADR movement with the encouragement of the next generation of ADR practitioners.
If you had 25 hours in a day, what would you do with the extra hour?
Listening to music with my husband.
If you weren't a lawyer, what would you be?
I would probably be doing something in the travel business space. Travelling has been a great love since my childhood, with parents who instilled and enabled that sense of curiosity of other lands and peoples. I have spent, and still do, countless hours planning my travels and researching places to stay and things to do.
Your favourite food haunt is...?
Where do I start! There are so many! But I guess my go-to in Kuala Lumpur would be the corner coffee shop at Jalan Batai for noodles, where I have been going to for my kway teow fix.
The original stall owners were intending to retire which caused a panic attack, but their son has since taken on the mantle and all is well with both generations actively involved, and my fix safe.
A favourite in the US is 240 Union in Denver, Colorado, where the pistachio crust pork chop and the brussel sprouts are fabulous.