24 November 2020

The benefits of cross-cultural conveyancing

| Karyn Starmer
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Ida Lam.

Baker Deane & Nutt conveyancer Ida Lam’s language skills are an asset for her professional life. Photo: Supplied.

Being a child of parents who are born overseas can often seem like a cultural juggling act.

The desire to fit in at school while under pressure at home to continue the traditions and language of their parents can often create tension. Baker Deane & Nutt conveyancer Ida Lam was born and bred in Canberra, but the challenge for her growing up was to carefully and respectfully navigate three languages and four cultures.

“My father is Chinese and he is from Hong Kong, while my mother is Chinese but from Vietnam, and they both lived in the United Kingdom before emigrating to Australia,” explains Ida. “So I grew up speaking Cantonese at home and having to go to Saturday classes to learn Mandarin.”

Ida appreciates her language skills these days.

“It is always a pleasure to be able to speak to our Cantonese or Mandarin clients when they come to our offices,” she says. “Visiting a law firm can be stressful at the best of times, but particularly when English is their second language. So I always help to make them feel more at ease.”

Ida is an experienced conveyancer with an interest in family law. She holds a bachelor of commerce degree from ANU, majoring in accounting and finance, and has worked with Baker Deane & Nutt lawyers since 2017.

Ida is now a leading hand in the conveyancing team at the 150-year-old law firm, one of Australia’s oldest.

“The work I do here at Baker Deane & Nutt brings all my skills and experience together,” she says. “I am also very focused on service, something I gained an appreciation for while working in hospitality as a student.

“Buying or selling a home is not just a tick-a-box process. People are often relieved and thankful when they come to us and they feel looked after.

“I get a great sense of accomplishment in my role at Baker Deane & Nutt lawyers, especially when I am able to give our clients the results they want and need. We are able to offer a personalised, customer-centric service during a huge milestone in our clients’ lives.

“Efficiency in my role is crucial, which I always strive to achieve with my clients.”

For more information, visit Baker Deane & Nutt.

This is a sponsored article, though all opinions are the author’s own. For more information on paid content, see our sponsored content policy.

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