Meet the Specialist: Alex Singh

Why did you undertake Specialist Accreditation?

Primarily, I had been working in the jurisdiction for a number of years and I felt that I had a reasonable skill-set but really wanted to challenge myself to see whether I passed muster with my peers. I knew that it was an exacting standard, but I felt that the challenge would be valuable. I also felt that there was some prestige in being Accredited and that the firm that I was with at the time saw accreditation as a valuable resource for the future as specialisation in a field was normalising. Similarly, there was a marketing advantage to being able to attract quality work in the field by being able to identify with an Accredited level of expertise.

What did you gain from completing the Program? And what did it teach you?

I gained a good insight into the expected quality of work that comes from Specialists. I learned that what separates a Specialist from generalists is in seeing the small variables that can make a difference in determining a problem and being able to strategize to deliver an outcome that is effective, and straight to the point.

When did you know it was the right time to undertake the Program?

Attending conferences and there were fewer surprises and “new” things to hear. I also felt that I was becoming a regular in the field and that my confidence was reasonably high. I was also happy with the area of law that I was in, which is important because there can be a sense that you will be type-cast as a Specialist. I do not think that this is always the case, though. I initially practiced in rural NSW and I certainly undertook other work as well as planning and environmental law, so it did not adversely affect me in that regard. Since returning to Sydney, though, my practice is essentially entirely Local Government, planning and environmental law and being Accredited was a definite advantage.

What are the benefits of being an Accredited Specialist?

I think the principal advantage within the legal profession is credibility. As soon as you are reading an email from or discussing an issue with an Accredited Specialist, there is a tendency that the balance of probability of accuracy is tilted in their favour. This is particularly so when you are dealing with an opponent who may not be a regular in your field. In terms of dealing with clients and other non-legal disciplines, just being an Accredited Specialist can inspire confidence in your advice and practices. I think that there is a time where a client will always question whether you are giving them good advice, which is only natural, particularly if you are not telling them something that they want to hear. I feel that there are times when people will say to themselves, “well, he’s a Specialist,” and that this may give them some measure of comfort in hearing what you have to say.

What changed for your after you achieved Specialist Accreditation?

I really felt that this was a turning point for me in that I had stepped outside the norm and achieved a higher qualification. I completed my Master of Laws degree the year before becoming an Accredited Specialist and, whilst this was a significant academic achievement, the accreditation was a similar, significant, academic/professional achievement. There was a sense that you had achieved a level of expertise that was not just based on your own opinion of yourself, but was accepted as a significant standard amongst your professional peers and the public. This was also of assistance in obtaining employment within the industry.

How has being an Accredited Specialist impacted your daily practice?

The first has been an increased sense of respect for your knowledge and skills amongst peers and clients. With that, though, comes a feeling that you have a greater responsibility to get it right. I find, also that there is a tendency for other practitioners to seek your opinion on matters. This jurisdiction tends to be pretty collegiate, so it is not uncommon to have practitioners ask what you think about a particular legal issue in circumstances where you have no conflict.

What is the best advice you would give to someone who is considering undertaking Accreditation?

Be comfortable that you are ready. Seeking Accreditation simply to get post-nominals when you are not really a Specialist in the field could result in disappointment. The process is not a “rubber stamping” exercise and it is very easy to spot when someone has tried to come up to speed in the jurisdiction by recent study rather than experience. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to a trusted colleague, particularly if they are also an Accredited Specialist and let them know that you are considering seeking accreditation and ask them if they agree that you may be ready. Obviously, someone else’s opinion will not be a determining factor, however, if a colleague heartily agrees, then you will get a confidence boost. If they don’t, hopefully they will talk to you about what you may need to work on and this may help guide your subsequent decision.

I would suggest that you take some time to look at other aspects of planning and environmental law before you undertake accreditation. For example, if you are doing planning appeals all the time, do not forget to maintain your knowledge and skill set in Local Government, environmental/enforcement law and compulsory acquisition as well.

Also, make sure that you can devote the necessary time to the process. I think I put in about 60-70 hours into the accreditation process. So it is not something that you can realistically sit down and complete last minute. You will need to use the time that you have wisely and it can be done whilst practising, but it will need to be something of a priority in your spare time for a period.

Lastly, please note that obtaining accreditation is not easy, so don’t be put off if you do not achieve your accreditation initially. There is no limit to the number of times that it can be reapplied for and you may just need to get a little more experience before you are ready.

What was the best part about participating in the Program?

Finishing it successfully! Truthfully. The process is not terribly long compared to post—graduate studies, for example. However, I found it to be very in depth and really required a lot of work, careful consideration of what was really being asked and whether there was a twist to each question that was not immediately apparent. The sense of achievement in obtaining accreditation is huge, I think because you have not simply successfully completed a course of study, you have reached a high level of professional development that has been recognized and lauded by your peers and this is a great achievement for any professional.