Siyi Wang

Siyi Wang is a legal consultant in Freshfields’ Shanghai office, where she works with the firm’s dispute resolution team. Having studied law in both China and Switzerland, she brings an international perspective that closely reflects the global nature of her work at the firm.

Siyi joined Freshfields in June 2024 as an intern while completing a dual master’s program jointly offered by the University of Geneva and Renmin University of China, following an undergraduate degree at Renmin University of China. After a year-long internship, she transitioned into her role as a legal consultant, marking the start of a focused and immersive career path within dispute resolution.

Working on complex, high‑stakes disputes involving multinational companies and multiple jurisdictions has made the role demanding but highly developmental. As a junior lawyer, Siyi works with dense factual records, tight timelines and often unfamiliar legal issues, sometimes simultaneously.

“We work on very complex, top‑tier disputes, often involving multiple jurisdictions and very high stakes. At the beginning, it can feel overwhelming, but the support from the team makes it manageable.”

That support has been central to her growth. Siyi highlights the hands‑on approach of Partners and associates, who take time to explain their thinking and involve junior team members in the strategic development of matters. By observing how cases are run and being encouraged to engage with the substance of the work, she has rapidly developed both technical and non‑technical skills.

“The Partners and associates are very hands‑on. They walk you through the issues, explain their thinking and you learn so much just by seeing how they approach a case.”

What Siyi finds particularly rewarding is being able to see tangible progress in her development. Freshfields’ structured skills framework helps legal consultants assess growth across areas such as time management, communication and client interaction. Reviewing this framework alongside senior colleagues has given her a clear sense of how far she has come in a relatively short period of time.

“Looking back at where I was when I joined and where I am now was eye‑opening. I could really see concrete progress in how I prioritize, communicate and organize my work.”

One memorable experience for Siyi involved supporting a colleague from the firm’s European office on a client visit in China. Acting as a Mandarin‑speaking point of contact, she helped bridge language gaps and support the meeting, despite the matter sitting outside her usual practice area. The experience not only strengthened the client relationship but also demonstrated the firm’s seamless cross‑practice collaboration.

“It was a great example of how different offices and practice groups come together, and it felt memorable to be able to play a role in developing the client relationship as a junior.”

For Siyi, her confidence has grown alongside experience. She now feels more comfortable sharing her views, speaking up and asking for support, recognizing these as essential skills for long‑term sustainability in the profession. Her experience reflects a culture in which junior lawyers are encouraged to contribute thoughtfully and openly.

Outside the office, Siyi enjoys sports and staying active, with skiing standing out as a particular passion. She began skiing while studying in Switzerland, where the surrounding mountains made it part of everyday life. Despite having a natural fear of speed, she finds the sport rewarding and reflective, drawing lessons from it that resonate beyond the slopes. Skiing offers balance, perspective and a reminder that growth often comes from leaning into challenges rather than pulling away from them.