Rekindling an old flame ... for the law

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Saturday June 30, 7:17 AM

Rekindling an old flame ... for the law
In his heyday, he took on the biggest cases and took down the biggest white-collar crooks. However, in his return now to law practice, former Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) chief Glenn Knight sees opportunities he never had before.
Such as taking up insider trading cases. In the "old days", there were "one or two" cases, he said, adding: "Now, you don't know how many people are involved in insider trading."
Scandals at Brilliant Manufacturing and Amtek are just two of the recent high-profile cases. He thinks the CAD is shifting its focus to insider trading offences.
It is a facet of commercial law he hopes to do well in, he told Today in an exclusive interview about his new lease of life and his path to redemption.
Despite his soft-spoken tone and genteel manner, the 61-year-old's passion for commercial law was obvious, during the interview at Bernard & Rada Law Corporation, which he will soon officially join once he gets his practising certificate within a week.
Mr Knight has been following developments in this area despite not having been on the roll of advocates and solicitors for 13 years.

"The law as it develops is very interesting, whether you're working on it as a lawyer, or watching it from the outside," said Mr Knight. He had received offers from lawyers he knew well at a "largish" firm, at a small firm and at Bernard and Rada.
"When (the latter) suggested it to me (on June 8), I was sure they were the people I'd like to join," he recounted.
For one, the firm, with about 10 lawyers, was "the right size" for him to fit in and pick up "at his own pace".
"I thought when I joined this firm, they would give me a bit of time before I go to court, so that I can get a feel of things and see how people have changed, and then come onstream," he said.
Since he was replaced as CAD director in 1991, and jailed for a single day for cheating, Mr Knight worked for a Japanese company to get a judgement enforced in Malaysia, followed by a one-year stint at his wife's restaurant in 2005, before a lull in 2006.
He first shared his plans to reapply with his church group and his wife. Then, he spent a "long time" convincing his lawyer it was the "right time".
"I felt I had reached a stage where I had done all that I could have done outside law practice," he said.
Before he submitted his application, he decided to inform the Law Society and Attorney General's Chambers. "But I never thought the establishment was against me," he added. "I've done my time, and I thought nobody should mind me trying to practise now."
Although he has been waiting since his application last November to practise law again, Mr Knight admits that he'll "definitely be ring rusty".
It has been 13 years since he was struck off the rolls for misconduct. Since then, some styles have changed, he noted.
"I think the lawyers will be different. You've got to deal with younger people now, and that can be a challenge because they're going to be young and energetic," he said.
"I don't think they'll be afraid of me any more. All young people think they've always got it right. So, it'll be a challenge in that sense. I could learn a lot from them."
He knows he will have to work harder.
"I'm sure the courts will be nice to me and give me a chance to do my thing," he added.
Since word got out that he was applying to be reinstated as a lawyer, Mr Knight feels he has been given a very warm reception.
"Everybody I meet today comes up to me and says they're glad I made the effort. I haven't heard anybody say anything negative � (and) people in the streets have come up to me and said, 'Good for you'," he said.
He believes Singapore has changed in its attitude to failure and second chances, and is heartened by changes to the insolvency regime and the establishment of a community court, for example. /rose
When he gets his practising certificate, he believes it would mark the end of what has been a tough haul. "It means the past doesn't matter now. I've got something new. I can start a new life," he said.