Of fictional narratives and real people

Mohamed Sarhan s/o Mohamed Ikhbar has always loved a good story, particularly ones about underdogs or those which muse on what it means to be human. Narratives like those in Spider-Man, Full Metal Alchemist, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) or Red Dead Redemption are more than mere popular movies, anime or games to him; they were powerful lessons about sacrifice, redemption and identity, and shaped his emotional compass.

But somewhere between polytechnic and NUS Law, he realised these stories he loved weren’t just fiction. They were real, and unfolding in courtrooms every day. “Every case is a human story,” he empathises.

Now that he works in criminal law as a Public Defender, he realises how tightly the media he consumed as a child is tied to his work. “What I didn’t initially realise was how this love for human stories, like being able to craft narratives in D&D as the Dungeon Master, would connect so perfectly with my work in criminal law, where every case involves real people with complex circumstances and motivations.”

Fuelled by doubt, driven by purpose

Sarhan didn’t set out to become a Public Defender, but when he first came across Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Law & Management at 16, something about it resonated deeply. “It just felt right,” he recalls. “Even now, 13 years on, I can’t fully explain it, but I’m glad I trusted that instinct.”

Looking back, Sarhan suspects his early brushes with unfairness shaped his sense of justice. In secondary school, he found himself punished for things he hadn’t done – experiences that left a mark. “I realised how powerless it feels when no one listens,” he says. “That stuck with me and made me want to be someone who does listen.”

The day he decided to pursue law, a teacher told him he wasn’t cut out for it. His grades weren’t the best then, but instead of discouraging him, that moment crystallised his resolve. “It was a turning point,” he says. “I knew I had to prove to myself most of all that I could do it.”

He went on to excel in his O-Levels, earned a place at Temasek Polytechnic, and eventually NUS Law. “Every doubt I’ve faced has only made me work harder,” he says. “That’s how I approach my work even today – with something to prove, and something to protect.”

From black and white, to shades of grey

NUS Law was transformative for the young law student. Sarhan entered with a rigid black-and-white view of justice: if you break the law, you face your punishment – end of story. He initially aspired to be a Public Prosecutor, believing in strict accountability, but as he progressed through law school, his perspective evolved; criminal law began to stand out because it took into account nuances and raw humanity. “It’s about real people making real choices. What’s right or wrong isn’t always clear,” he says. “It depends on someone’s motivations and circumstances.” His lifelong curiosity about people and history deepened his interest, even as criminal law courses helped him see the law not as just a series of rules, but as reflections of society.

Defining what justice means to him, Sarhan shares: “To me, it means giving people a fair chance in court and ensuring they get appropriate representation. This evolution made me realise I was actually more suited to defence work. Some offenders have never had anyone on their side. I realised I wanted to be the one providing that crucial legal advocacy within our justice system,” he shares.

At NUS Law, that initial interest grew into a firm passion for criminal law. An introductory course, LC1001: Criminal Law, laid the foundation, while LL4067: Comparative Criminal Law in his final year expanded his perspective across cultures. He also loved LL4044V: Mediation, which honed his oral and empathetic skills, and LL4277V: Medical Law and Ethics and LL4318V: Public Health Law and Regulation – subjects that cycled back to his early interest in science and ethics. If given the choice of adding one class to his wishlist, he would choose sentencing in criminal law: a practical area often overlooked, but vital for aspiring criminal lawyers.

Being a voice for the voiceless

Throughout his time at Asia’s leading law school, Sarhan immersed himself in the pro bono work and legal initiatives open to students, serving as President of the NUS Criminal Justice Club (CJC) as well as interning with Pro Bono SG and private firms. His involvement in the CJC’s Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO) and The Recourse Initiative (TRI) reinforced his conviction to stand for those facing the harshest penalties, especially when assisting with appeals for capital and post-conviction cases. A conversation with a death row inmate, who had staunch faith that TRI could help him by reviewing his case carefully, turned into a defining moment that helped him crystallise his purpose. Sarhan reflects: “That conversation showed me that a lawyer's job is to help others with competent legal representation, ensuring everyone receives thorough advocacy.”

Sarhan (right) celebrates with Mitchell Leon, head of The Recourse Initiative, after winning a criminal forensic advocacy competition in 2022.

Today, the 29-year-old is a Public Defender with the Ministry of Law’s Public Defender’s Office (PDO), part of its pioneering team formed in 2022. In this role, he champions those facing criminal charges who would otherwise go unrepresented. To Sarhan, access to justice means making sure no one gets left behind in the courtroom; he lives by the ethos that “justice isn’t just for those who can afford it.” Many of his clients are overwhelmed, unsure how to speak up or navigate the legal maze. That’s where he steps in – translating legalese, building their case and making sure their voices are heard when it matters most.

Sarhan (second from left) is grateful for the support of his NUS law batchmates, who are now also his colleagues at the Ministry of Law’s Public Defender’s Office.

Self-discovery: The hero’s journey

Sarhan credits NUS with shaping him into a better lawyer – and a better person. While the intellectually rigorous and stimulating environment in NUS Law challenged him, the strong support from professors, alumni and student mentors as well as peers made all the difference. “Be prepared to work hard but know that you are not going through that journey alone. Your professors will be happy to give you all the help you need, so don’t be afraid to apply!” Study groups, shared notes and open conversations with his coursemates also helped him thrive in the supportive community.

What surprised Sarhan most about studying law at NUS wasn’t just the rigour, but also the personal reflection it demanded. Once impatient and hard on himself, he learned to temper judgement with empathy in others and in himself. When contemplating his personal growth, he often returned to his favourite quote from the TV show Doctor Who: “We all change when you think about it. We are all different people all through our lives and that's okay – so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.” Those words remind him to be grateful for being in a kinder place while looking back on his old self with compassion.

He expresses gratitude for many professors who guided him with generosity, and cites Criminal Law Associate Professor Cheah Wui Ling as the person who made the deepest impact on him. Spotting his potential early on, she invited him to be her research assistant. “Over three years, my research work with her allowed me to hone my critical thinking skills while also further solidifying my interest in criminal law and criminal history.”

Sarhan (right) treasured his classes with Associate Professor Cheah, who always believed in his potential.

Her teaching style — marked by thoughtful discussions of real-life cases and hypothetical scenarios, and an endless patience — awakened in Sarhan a genuine love for teaching. “She answered every question I had,” he recalls. “And if she didn’t know, she’d find out and tell me the next week.” Inspired by her example, Sarhan now pays it forward, mentoring PDO interns and sharing his experiences with NUS students as a Law alumnus. His advice? “Don’t rush. Find your own pace. Protect your mental wellness and schedule time off for recovery. You don’t have to chase every internship. Just enjoy your journey!”

The spirit, not the letter, of the law

One misconception Sarhan is keen to dispel is needing a perfect memory to study law. “It’s not about memorisation,” he says. “It’s about understanding and application. If you understand the law, you’ll remember it.”

With great power comes great responsibility, and Sarhan hopes to get the opportunity to shape the next generation by teaching criminal law. He shares: “I’d like to be a mentor or teacher at Temasek Polytechnic and eventually at NUS. My hope is that students come to see that anyone can break the law, yet everyone deserves guidance and support, no matter their offence. Ultimately, I hope to be remembered as someone who tried his best at every turn, and never hesitated to extend a hand.”