Skip to main content
    About
    WIL Banner 2023

     Share your ALB moments on social media
    #ALBawards

     

    Welcome to the ALB Women in Law Awards 2023

    THE AWARDS WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED!

    Asian Legal Business (ALB) is proud to present the 2nd ALB Women in Law Awards. This prestigious award will recognise the exceptional performance of female private practitioners and in-house counsel. Join us for wholesome networking, discussing pressing female-related legal issues, and celebration of the finest in the legal industry.

    The event will start with our speaking panels and breakout rooms, followed by the awards ceremony.

    Date: 2 March 2023 
    Time: 3.00 PM – 6.00 PM GMT +8
    Venue: Online


    AGENDA OF THE VIRTUAL EVENT

    3.00 PM - 3.10 PM - Welcome Remarks by Amantha Chia, Head of Legal Media Group. Asia & Emerging Markets

    3.10 PM - 3:55 PM - Panel discussion - Empowering the Younger Generations of Female Lawyers
    The legal industry has made considerable strides to improve female career progression, and many women are making their mark in the sector. But what about the next generation? For the next generation coming up, not being able to be physically present in the office to meet clients, interact with teams and learn from others in person in the past two years have a real impact. How can we continue to empower the new generation of female lawyers is crucial. Our panel speakers will share their inspiring stories and experience. You’ll find insights and guidance that help you thrive in turbulent times and conquer your career challenges.

    Speakers:

    • Lakshika Joshi, AVP - Legal and Global IP Head, Capgemini Engineering 
    • Maree Myerscough, COO & General Counsel, Asia Pacific, Aquila Capital 
    • Winnie Ma, Director - General Counsel and Company Secretary, Hang Lung Properties 
    • Yosr Hamza - Gartner Middle East CSR Board / Committee 

    3.55 PM - 4:55 PM - Networking and Breakout Rooms [Co-host with Women in Law Hong Kong]

    Breakout room 1

    k

    Karah Howard, Partner, Pinsent Masons
    How are everyday behaviours in the workplace holding women lawyers back?
    A dive into Women in Law Hong Kong’s latest research, produced in partnership with Mayer Brown, on gender-based micro-aggressions in the legal profession.
     
    Breakout room 2

    m

    Mariel Dimsey, Secretary-General, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
    The benefits (and pitfalls) of mentoring and sponsorship programmes
    A conversation around experiences with gender mentoring and sponsorship programmes – the business case for them, what works and what doesn’t.
     
    Breakout room 3

    p

    Penny Barsha, Corporate Responsibility Manager – Asia, Linklaters
    Leading from the top – a little less conversation, a little more action
    A collaborative discussion about steps leaders can take to ensure diversity, embed equity and foster a culture of inclusion in the legal profession.

    4:55 PM - Awards Presentation


    Please visit the reservation page for more details. 

     

    For queries regarding the virtual awards event, please contact: 
    Zachary at renzachary.zhang@thomsonreuters.com

    CATEGORIES

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Arbitration Lawyer of the Year
    Dealmaker of the Year  
    General Counsel of the Year  
    Health and Wellness Advocate of the Year
    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Litigator of the Year  
    Managing Partner of the Year
    Private Practitioner of the Year
    Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year
    Rising Star of the Year (In-House)
    Rising Star of the Year (Law Firm)  
    Woman Lawyer of the Year (NEW)

    OPEN CATEGORIES (Open to all genders)

    Legal Trailblazer of the Year (NEW)
    Advocate of the Year 
    Mentor of the Year (NEW)

    PROJECT CATEGORY

    Diversity and Inclusion Project of the Year

    FIRM CATEGORIES

    Diversity Advocate Boutique Law Firm of the Year (NEW)  
    Diversity and Inclusion Law Firm of the Year 

             SUBMISSION FORMS          

    Submission Are Closed

          IMPORTANT DATES          

    Opening of submissions | November 2
    Deadline for submissions | January 13
    Announcement of finalists | Feb 6
    Awards ceremony | March 2 

         SUBMISSION INQUIRIES          

    Zachary at renzachary.zhang@thomsonreuters.com

     

    FINALISTS**

    We are pleased to announce the finalists for ALB Woman in Law Awards 2023. 

    Advocate of the Year

    Alia Monieb - ADSERO – Ragy Soliman & Partners 
    Alison Tsai - Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
    Anand Desai - DSK Legal
    Ferin Chairysa - UMBRA – Strategic Legal Solutions
    Janice Yau Garton - Stephenson Harwood
    Nini N. Halim - HHR Lawyers
    Setyawati Fitrianggraeni - Anggraeni and Partners
    Virginia B. Viray - PJS Law
    Yuri Sugano - Nishimura & Asahi

    Arbitration Lawyer of the Year

    Charis Tan - Peter & Kim
    Cheryl Cairns - Trowers & Hamlins 
    Chié Nakahara - Nishimura & Asahi 
    Elizabeth Sloane - Stephenson Harwood
    Foo Yuet Min - Drew & Napier 
    Jeonghye Sophie Ahn - Yulchon 
    Joanne Lau - Allen & Overy
    Susan Tan Shu Shuen - Zul Rafique & Partners
    Yan Zhang - Sidley Austin 

    Dealmaker of the Year, India and Middle East

    Adity Chaudhury - Argus Partners
    Leena Chacko - Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
    Madhu Rewari - Anand and Anand
    Madhurima Mukherjee - JSA
    Shruti Kanodia - Sagus Legal 
    Sonali Mahapatra - TT&A
    Stephanie Naaman - Rasma Legal
    Zia J. Mody - AZB & Partners

    Dealmaker of the Year, North Asia

    Asa Shinkawa - Nishimura & Asahi
    Benita Yu - Slaughter and May
    Effie Vasilopoulos - Sidley Austin 
    Jasmine Chiu - Mayer Brown
    Julia Charlton - Charltons
    Priscilla Lee - Commerce and Finance Law Offices in Association with Eric Chow & Co.
    Saeko Inaba - Ropes & Gray 
    Shirley Fu - SF Lawyers in association with KPMG Law
    Stephanie Tang - Hogan Lovells

    Dealmaker of the Year, SE Asia

    Fransisca S.H. - Makes & Partners 
    Hoang Nguyen Ha Quyen - LNT & Partners
    Kanya Satwika - Assegaf Hamzah & Partners
    Melissa Butarbutar - TJAJO & Partners
    Miriam Andreta - Walalangi & Partners (in association with Nishimura & Asahi)
    Renu Menon - Drew & Napier 
    Sandy Foo - Rajah & Tann Singapore 
    Stephanie Keen - Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee

    Diversity and Inclusion Law Firm of the Year

    Induslaw
    JSA
    Mayer Brown
    Nishimura & Asahi
    Samvad Partners
    Tilleke & Gibbins
    Trowers & Hamlins 
    Vertices Partners 

    Diversity and Inclusion Project of the Year

    ADSERO - Ragy Soliman & Partners - Women in Law Roundtable Series
    IndusLaw - HerMOVE
    Mayer Brown - Everday Behavior Project
    Nishimura & Asahi - The Supporting Work & Family Project

    General Counsel of the Year

    Amy Wei - Levi Strauss & Co. 
    Atty. Millicent Joie L. Desiderio - Dime - Accenture
    Cecily Nerisse (Chel) C. Ramirez - dela Cruz - 3M Philippines
    Cathy Chan - CBRE Investment Management
    Karen Hsu You Ying - Takeda Pharmaceuticals Asia Pacific  
    Lifen Tang - OMERS Capital Markets 
    Michelle Hung - Cosco Shipping Ports Limited
    Neha Verma - Puniska Injectables 
    Yolande Goh - Equinix

    Health and Wellness Advocate of the Year

    Archana Khosla Burman - Vertices Partners
    Jennifer Tam - Mayer Brown
    Jocelyn Tsao - Withers
    Mani Gupta - Sarthak Advocates and Solicitors
    Natalie Yeung - Slaughter and May
    Rebecca Chew - Rajah & Tann Singapore 
    Shweta Shroff Chopra - Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
    Zubaidah Jufri - SIP Law Firm

    In-House Lawyer of the Year

    Atty. Millicent Joie L. Desiderio - Dime - Accenture
    Baghel Swati - Blackstone Singapore
    Benita Lee - Google
    Cecily Nerisse (Chel) C. Ramirez-dela Cruz - 3M Philippines
    Karen Hsu You Ying - Takeda Pharmaceuticals 
    Lynn Lee - Link Asset Management 
    Sharifah Alasree - Infobip
    Titi Maria Rusli - EMTEK
    Yolande Goh - Equinix

    Legal Trailblazer of the Year

    Avaantika Kakkar - Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
    Farah Deba Mohamed Sofian - Wong Lu Peen & Tunku Alina
    Hikaru Oguchi - Nishimura & Asahi
    Madhurima Mukherjee - JSA
    Pravin Anand - Anand and Anand
    Rosita Li - Ellalan
    Shirley Fu - SF Lawyers in association with KPMG Law
    Shweta Shroff Chopra - Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

    Litigator of the Year, India and Middle East

    Binsy Susan - Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. 
    Mamta Rani Jha - Inttl Advocare
    Nadiya Sarguroh - MZM Legal 
    Poornima Hatti - Samvad Partners
    Prachi Dhanani - Veritas Legal
    Purvi Shah Asher - Mansukhlal Hiralal & Co
    Sundari R. Pisupati - Tempus Law Associates
    Vaibhavi Sharma - Prosoll Law

    Litigator of the Year, North Asia

    Amita Haylock - Mayer Brown
    Antonia Croke - Hogan Lovells
    Charmaine Koo - Deacons
    Heidi Chui - Stevenson, Wong & Co.
    Kana Morimura - Shearman & Sterling
    Kenix Yuen - Gall
    Lynn Lee - Link Asset Management 
    Masako Yajima - Nishimura & Asahi 
    Paula Kay - Harney Westwood & Riegels

    Litigator of the Year, SE Asia

    Blossom Hing - Drew & Napier 
    Hanna Kathia Septianti - SIP Law Firm
    Idza Hajar Binti Ahmad Idzam - Zul Rafique & Partners
    Melati Siregar - UMBRA – Strategic Legal Solutions
    Rahayu N. Hoed - Makarim & Taira S.
    Sathya - Shearn Delamore & Co
    Wendy Tan - Morgan Lewis Stamford 
    Wendy Lin - WongPartnership 

    Managing Partner of the Year

    Eva Chan - Simmons & Simmons
    Hoang Nguyen Ha Quyen - LNT & Partners
    Jini Lee - Ashurst
    Julia Charlton - Charltons
    Lee Lin Li - Tay & Partners
    Lorna Xin Chen - Shearman & Sterling
    Naina Krishna Murthy - Krishnamurthy & Co. (“K Law”)
    Zubaidah Jufri - SIP Law Firm

    Mentor of the Year

    Abhishek Malhotra - TMT Law Practice
    Archana Khosla Burman - Vertices Partners
    Baghel Swati - Blackstone Singapore
    Benita Lee - Google
    Rachika Agrawal Sahay - Argus Partners
    Rosita Li - Ellalan
    Setyawati Fitrianggraeni - Anggraeni and Partners 
    Shirley Fu - SF Lawyers in association with KPMG Law

    Private Practitioner of the Year, India and Middle East

    Archana Khosla Burman - Vertices Partners
    Kanisha Vora - Veritas Legal
    Brijita Prakash - DSK Legal
    Naina Krishna Murthy - Krishnamurthy & Co. (“K Law”)
    Shivpriya Nanda - JSA
    Shweta Bharti - Hammurabi and Solomon Partners 
    Surya Sreenivasan - Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
    Vaishali Mittal - Anand and Anand

    Private Practitioner of the Year, North Asia

    Fiona Loughrey - Simmons & Simmons
    Julianne Doe - Dentons Hong Kong 
    Janice Chew - JC Legal
    Machiuanna Chu - Deacons
    Madoka Shimada - Nishimura & Asahi
    Priscilla Lee - Commerce and Finance Law Offices in Association with Eric Chow & Co.
    Shirley Fu - SF Lawyers in association with KPMG Law
    Silvia On - Charles Russell Speechlys       

    Private Practitioner of the Year, SE Asia

    Farah Deba Mohamed Sofian - Wong Lu Peen & Tunku Alina
    Kala Anandarajah - Rajah & Tann Singapore 
    Madeline - Watson Farley & Williams
    Melissa Butarbutar - TJAJO & Partners
    Sheena Jacob - CMS Holborn Asia (Formal Legal Alliance)
    Stephanie Keen-Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee
    Tananan Thammakiat - Chandler MHM
    Teo Wai Sum - Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill
    Yvonne Tang - Drew & Napier 

    Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year

    Arya Tripathy - PSA
    Julianne Doe - Dentons Hong Kong 
    Kullarat Phongsathaporn - Baker & McKenzie
    Mikiko Soga - Nishimura & Asahi 
    Natalie Yeung - Slaughter and May
    Poorvi Chothani - LawQuest
    Rosita Li - Ellalan
    Shahana Chatterji - Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

    Rising Star of the Year, India and Middle East

    Anushree Rauta - ANM Global
    Ashita Bali - Phoenix Legal
    Atmaja Tripathy - TMT Law Practice
    Dhanya Sree - Rasma Legal
    Nadiya - MZM Legal 
    Raya Al Harthy - Trowers & Hamlins (Oman)
    Saloni Mody - DSK Legal
    Shinjni Kharbanda - Air India 

    Rising Star of the Year, North Asia

    Anisha Kumar Ramanathan - Withers
    Felda Yeung - Gall
    Jenny Yu - Mayer Brown, Hong Kong
    Joanne Lau - Allen & Overy
    Lillian Li - Quinn Emanuel
    Peiwen Chen - White & Case
    Sang Bin Lee - Yulchon 
    Vincci Ip - Deacons 

    Rising Star of the Year, SE Asia

    Aye Myat Thu - VDB Loi Myanmar
    Caera Lee Huan Yin - Zaid Ibrahim & Co
    Carla S. Pingul - Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia 
    Esther Tan - Zul Rafique & Partners
    Ho Shu Min - Sidley Austin 
    Intan Paramita - Assegaf Hamzah & Partners
    Nitikar Nith - Tilleke & Gibbins
    Sheetal Sandhu - Virtus Law (A member of the Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance)

    Woman Lawyer of the Year, India and Middle East

    Aahna Mehrotra - TMT Law Practice
    Archana Khosla Burman - Vertices Partners
    Dipika Bhateja - Agrud Partners
    Mamta Rani Jha - Inttl Advocare
    Nisha Kaur Uberoi - Trilegal
    Priti Suri - PSA
    Rupinder Malik - JSA
    Sheena Ogra - Ahlawat & Associates 
    Shwetasree Majumder - Fidus Law Chambers

    Woman Lawyer of the Year, North Asia

    Akemi Suzuki - Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
    Benita Yu - Slaughter and May 
    Gabriela Kennedy - Mayer Brown, Hong Kong
    Janice Chew - JC Legal
    Julia Charlton - Charltons
    Maya Ito - Nishimura & Asahi
    Paloma Wang - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    Yan Zhang - Sidley Austin 

    Woman Lawyer of the Year, SE Asia

    Atty. Millicent Joie L. Desiderio - Dime - Accenture
    Dewi Savitri Reni - SSEK Legal Consultants
    Farah Deba Mohamed Sofian - Wong Lu Peen & Tunku Alina
    Jacqueline Chan - Milbank 
    Kala Anandarajah - Rajah & Tann Singapore 
    Karen Hsu You Ying - Takeda Pharmaceuticals 
    Meryl Koh - Drew & Napier 
    Zubaidah Jufri - SIP Law Firm

    **COMPLETENESS OF LIST

    The above list will be regularly updated until final. For queries about the shortlist, please email Zachary at renzachary.zhang@thomsonreuters.com.

    WINNERS

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
        
    Arbitration Lawyer of the Year
    Chié Nakahara - Nishimura & Asahi 

    Dealmaker of the Year, India and Middle East
    Adity Chaudhury - Argus Partners

    Dealmaker of the Year, North Asia
    Benita Yu - Slaughter and May

    Dealmaker of the Year, SE Asia
    Fransisca S.H, - Makes & Partners Law Firm
      
    General Counsel of the Year  
    Millicent Joie L. Desiderio-Dime - Accenture

    Health and Wellness Advocate of the Year
    Jennifer Tam - Mayer Brown

    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Lynn Lee - Link Asset Management 

    Litigator of the Year, India and Middle East
    Binsy Susan - Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. 

    Litigator of the Year, North Asia  
    Masako Yajima - Nishimura & Asahi 

    Litigator of the Year, SE Asia 
    Blossom Hing - Drew & Napier 
    Wendy Tan - Morgan Lewis Stamford

    Managing Partner of the Year
    Naina Krishna Murthy - Krishnamurthy & Co. (“K Law”)

    Private Practitioner of the Year, India and Middle East
    Surya Sreenivasan - Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

    Private Practitioner of the Year, North Asia
    Julianne DOE - Dentons Hong Kong

    Private Practitioner of the Year, SE Asia
    Sheena Jacob - CMS Holborn Asia (formal legal alliance)

    Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year
    Natalie Yeung - Slaughter and May

    Rising Star of the Year (Law Firm), India and Middle East
    Anushree Rauta - ANM Global

    Rising Star of the Year (Law Firm), North Asia
    Lillian Li - Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

    Rising Star of the Year (Law Firm), SE Asia
    Sheetal Sandhu - Virtus Law (A member of the Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance)

    Woman Lawyer of the Year, India and Middle East
    Priti Suri - PSA

    Woman Lawyer of the Year, North Asia    
    Maya Ito - Nishimura & Asahi

    Woman Lawyer of the Year, SE Asia
    Kala Anandarajah - Rajah & Tann Singapore 

    Legal Trailblazer of the Year 
    Shirley Fu - SF Lawyers in association with KPMG Law

    Advocate of the Year 
    Virginia B. Viray - PJS Law

    Mentor of the Year
    Rosita Li - ELLALAN

    PROJECT CATEGORY

    Diversity and Inclusion Project of the Year
    IndusLaw - HerMOVE

    FIRM CATEGORIES

    Diversity and Inclusion Law Firm of the Year
    Tilleke & Gibbins
     

    For memorabilia inquiries, please contact

    Hiroshi Kaneko (Japan):
    +81 3 4520 1192 | hiroshi.kaneko@thomsonreuters.com

    Jessie Choi (Hong Kong, Korea):
    +852 3952 5832 | jessie.choi@thomsonreuters.com

    Jonathan Yap (Singapore, Indonesia):
    +65 6973 8914 | jonathan.yap@thomsonreuters.com

    Krupa Dalal (India and subcontinent, Middle East):
    +91 22 6921 7835 | krupa.dalal@thomsonreuters.com

    Romulus Tham (Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand)
    +65 6973 8248 | romulus.tham@thomsonreuters.com

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    ELIGIBILITY

    How do I know if I am eligible to make a submission? 

    We highly encourage all firms, individuals and in-house teams to submit, as we have numerous award categories to choose from. We welcome both past participants and newcomers to join the submission for the awards. 

    Is self-nomination permitted?

    Yes, we accept self-nominated submissions. We also accept third-party submissions, should you wish to nominate an external party or vice versa.

    Is there a fee required to make a submission in the law awards?

    No, there is no fee payment required for you or your firm/team to make a submission. 

    TIMELINE OF EVENTS

    When will the finalists and winners be announced?

    The shortlist of finalists will be released around 4-8 weeks prior to the awards ceremony. The winners will be exclusively announced at the awards ceremony on 25 November 2022.

    NOMINATION PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT 

    How are the finalists chosen?

    Asian Legal Business will compile all of the submission entries, and the ALB editorial and research teams will extensively review each submission to ensure the criteria are met in order to advance to the shortlist of finalists. We stress that this process is fair, impartial and not subject to external influences. 

    How are the winners chosen? 

    Once the shortlist of finalists have been announced, an independent judging panel will review and select their top three choices for the award categories they are assigned to. The scores for each award category will be tabulated, and the individual/firm/team with the highest score will be announced as the winner. 

    What are the award categories that I can take part in?

    Any law firms, in-house teams or individuals may take part in multiple award categories if appropriate. The researchers reserve the right to move entries from one category to another if they feel it appropriate. The researchers’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

    Who will be on the judging panel for ALB Law Awards? 

    There will be an independent judging panel of at least 25 senior and expert legal industry leaders to review the submission materials. The judging panel will be selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge, and will be comprised from various sectors to correspond to the diverse list of award categories. A partial list of judges’ names will be released prior to the awarding ceremony, and the remaining judges will be revealed on the evening of the awards. 

    What will my contact information/my client’s information be used for?

    All contact information provided will not be disclosed to external parties; and will only be seen by our ALB research team and the judges panel. We keep the information on record internally, in case we need to contact you or your client regarding any questions or discrepancies in the submission form. 

    Where will my name/firm name/team name be published if we are a finalist or winner?

    As a finalist and/or winner, your firm/team/individual name will be published in ALB awards materials and print magazine. For more information, please contact us.

    Is my submission confidential?

    Any information you submit will only be reviewed by the ALB team and independent judging panel, whose names will be published. The material submitted will only be disclosed to the above; if there is any information that is strictly confidential, please mark clearly on the nomination form. Though we do our best to maintain the security of the information you provide, any information you transmit to us is done at your own risk and Thomson Reuters is not responsible for any unauthorized transmission of information.  

    SPONSORSHIP, PARTICIPATION AND OTHER 

    I would like to sponsor the ALB Law Awards.

    Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258 for further details regarding sponsorship. 

    I am interested in being an official partner of the ALB Law Awards, as a media/legal association.  

    Please contact joyce.luk@thomsonreuters.com.

    My practice area or specialty is not listed, but I would like to participate in the Awards.

    Please get in touch with our ALB Law Awards research team at lokesh.bogati@tr.com.

    Can I participate in Awards across the region?

    Yes, you can participate in more than one market. Please note there may be specific criteria for each market.

    Who should attend the Awards Ceremony? Can I attend?

    We welcome all finalists and non-finalists to join the Awards Ceremony; please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258.

    I would like to order a winner’s trophy and/or certificate (for finalists and winners).

    Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258.

    How can I receive communications related to the ALB Law Awards?

    Please email joyce.luk@thomsonreuters.com to subscribe to the ALB mailing list. 

    Asian Legal Business – Who are We?

     Asian Legal Business (ALB) is owned by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals. With its portfolio of leading titles, law awards, in-house legal summits and online services, ALB provides authoritative and unbiased insights and unmatched networking and business development opportunities to legal professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific.

     ALB combines news and analysis from its team of professional legal journalists and the expert opinions of senior industry professionals with Reuters news and insights that power businesses across the globe.

     Please visit legalbusinessonline.com for further information.

     Asian Legal Business – Law Awards

     The ALB Law Awards are the pre-eminent legal awards in Asia-Pacific, held annually in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and China. The Awards are comprised of months of intensive research and culminate in a black-tie Awarding Ceremony in each of the markets. We cordially invite you to take part in these prestigious awards – and celebrate legal excellence with us.

    PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

    ALB           https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en.html