The associate encourages junior lawyers to not underestimate the value they can bring
Elma Li was initially discouraged from studying law because English wasn’t her first language. However, she decided to defy expectations – something she says showed that she had a lawyer’s heart all along.
In the first part of this August interview, the WRP Legal IP and commercial associate tells us about a major responsibility she was entrusted with just one year after her admission as a lawyer and why juniors shouldn’t underestimate the value they can bring.
What made you choose a career in law?
In Year 12, I became curious about legal studies and wanted to give it a go. Unfortunately, I was told I couldn’t enrol because English is my second language, and I “wouldn’t be able to pass”. That experience left a little fire in me, so I decided to study law at university, and it turns out I absolutely loved it.
That early rejection, and my strong reaction to it, now feels like the first sign that I had the heart of a lawyer all along - someone who wants to advocate not just for others, but for themselves too.
What's your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of the job is working with people who are passionate about their cause or business. Watching a startup grow or seeing a trade mark we worked on out in the real world, it’s incredibly rewarding.
What in your opinion has been the most memorable event of your career to date?
The most memorable event of my career was being entrusted to manage the entire New Zealand trade mark filing system on my own, just a year after being admitted as a lawyer. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that significantly accelerated my professional growth.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last year or so?
My proudest accomplishment was taking the initiative to manage the entire New Zealand trade mark system, which taught me that limited experience shouldn’t stop us from stepping up.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned in your career and what advice can you give fellow lawyers about it?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to underestimate the value we can bring - no matter how junior, we often offer fresh perspectives and insights that make a real difference.
If you could relive one day in your life, which day would it be and why?
If I could relive one day, it would be the day I was initially rejected from doing legal studies in high school. I would have advocated for myself more confidently and firmly persuaded my teacher that I had the determination and potential to succeed in the legal profession.
