5th International Women Lawyers Conference 2026

1 day | 13 speakers | 6 countries | MBar: 6 CPD Points

Theme: The Future is Ours to Lead

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The 5th International Women Lawyers Conference (IWLC) 2026 will be held on 12 February 2026 at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 5th IWLC 2026 calls on women legal professionals to not just take their place at the table, but to reshape the systems themselves. Across the Asia-Pacific, women are leading transformative change in courts, firms, and policymaking spaces. The 5th IWLC theme acknowledges the region’s diverse legal and cultural landscapes while affirming a shared purpose: to lead boldly, inclusively, and on our own terms. Whether it is advocating rights, embracing ethical tech, or dismantling barriers, women are no longer asking for permission; we are claiming space with purpose. We spotlight regional leadership that is collaborative, cross-border, and unapologetically driven by women. 

The future isn’t just coming; it is being led by us.

To register: https://forms.gle/qgzwcHGaeeyvGWps5

9.00 am – 9.30 am (GMT+8)

Welcome Address: Jasmine Wong Kah Man, President, Association of Women Lawyers

Jasmine Wong is the sitting President of AWL, where she is passionate about advancing equality and centering marginalised voices through strategic litigation, policy advocacy and grassroots engagement in Malaysia. A litigator by training, she has secured citizenship for stateless persons, contributed to precedent-setting Federal Court jurisprudence on children’s right to nationality, and authored on citizenship law.

Beyond litigation, Jasmine was a core member of the Malaysian Citizenship Rights Alliance, in shaping policy responses to proposed regressive citizenship law amendments. She serves on the Bar Council’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities and is frequently featured in the media on statelessness, online harms, and law reforms affecting women and youth. Her work has been recognised by Prestige Malaysia’s 40 Under 40 (2020), ALB Malaysia’s Rising Stars (2022), and ALB’s Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House) (2025).

Opening Address: Anand Raj, Vice President, Malaysian Bar

Anand Raj has been in practice since 1996 and a partner at Shearn Delamore & Co. since 2003. He currently serves as the Head of the Tax Disputes Practice and Co Head of Competition at the firm.

Anand currently serves as the Vice President of the Malaysian Bar. Anand is the Chair of the Tax Committee of Malaysian Bar and the former Chair of the International Fiscal Association (IFA), Malaysia Branch.

Emcee: Cindy Low, Secretary, Association of Women Lawyers

Cindy Low serves as Secretary of the Association of Women Lawyers and as an Instructional Designer at Rajah & Tann Asia Academy. A dual‑qualified lawyer in Malaysia and the UK, she contributes to the Bar Council Committee on Persons with Disabilities and volunteers extensively with NGOs supporting marginalised communities.

9.30 am – 10.00 am (GMT+8)

Keynote | Who Runs the World? Why Not You?

Synopsis: This keynote sets the tone for a future shaped by female leadership in law. The Honourable Speaker will reflect on the power of visibility, the urgency of inclusion, and the region’s unique opportunity to centre diverse voices across borders, identities, and sectors. This keynote is a call to action for women lawyers, whether in legal practice, the corporate sector, activism, or other professional spaces, to lead boldly, shape policy, build movements, and claim space in legal systems that are ready for transformation.

Speaker: Dr Jasmine Begum, Senior Legal Counsel & Regional Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Microsoft ASEAN; Chairperson, MIMOS Berhad (Malaysia)

Dr Jasmine Begum leads Microsoft’s Corporate External and Legal Affairs for ASEAN, addressing issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and society. She also serves as Chairperson of MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia’s national applied R&D center, where she advances national priorities in innovation and digital transformation. She also advises regional Digital Economy Agencies on innovation, regulation, and inclusive growth.

She was recently recognized as one of the 30 Most Influential Women in Tech in Asia (2025) and was the first Malaysian appointed to the UN’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group. Jasmine previously served in the United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General in New York and held leadership roles at Dell and UNDP.

With over 30 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in legal, policy, geostrategy, and geoeconomics, is admitted to practice law in multiple jurisdictions, and holds a Ph.D. in Business and Human Rights. She is also an Adjunct Professor at several universities across the region.

10.00 am – 10.30 am (GMT+8)

Morning break

10.30 am – 11.15 am (GMT+8)

Plenary #1 | Boldness and Becoming: Asking for and Getting What You Want

Synopsis: As female lawyers, what do we want and how do we get it? What does equity look like in the contemporary workspace, and how do we achieve it? From structural barriers to inner critics, what must we address and overcome to create more equitable and inclusive opportunities for economic, professional and personal growth? How do we begin to understand the implications of a female-centred workplace? If the 21st century is indeed Asia’s century, then how can women move beyond outdated patriarchal models of success? How does this impact you, and how can you use this power dynamic to create balance and success in your own life?

Speakers:

Hanie Razaif-Bohlender “The Career Doctor”, Co-Founder and General Manager, Dragonfire Corporate Solutions Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)

Hanie specializes in sustainable career management and leadership development, working with senior leaders across public and private sectors on career clarity, transitions, organizational effectiveness, and performance. A Marshall Goldsmith Certified Stakeholder-Centered Coach and Certified Enterprise Coach with MasterCoachX, she is also an HRD Corp–accredited trainer, Certified Business Assessor and Internal Verifier (Pearson BTEC Level 5), Certified Emergenetics Associate and Consultant, and holds a UK RQF Level 4 certification in Occupational Coaching. Known as “The Career Doctor,” she helps individuals and organizations remove obstacles and achieve meaningful, sustainable success.

Namrata Shah, Associate Partner at Rashmikant and Partners; Co-Founder for India's first Trial Advocacy Training Program (India)

Namrata is an Associate Partner at Rashmikant and Partners, a boutique disputes firm in Mumbai. Malaysia holds a special place in her heart as two Malaysian lawyers took the lead and worked with her to establish the first advocacy training course in India.

Moderator: Brenda Rangithan, Member, Association of Women Lawyers; Partner, Mohanadass Partnership

Brenda is a Partner at Mohandass Partnership and is currently the co-chair of the KL Bar Gender Equality and Diversity Committee and Professional Development Committee, actively promoting minority rights and addressing issues like mental health. Her dedication to justice and equality extends beyond the courtroom, making her a dedicated advocate for social change.

11.15 am – 12.15 pm (GMT+8)

Plenary #2 | About Us. For Us. By Us.

Synopsis: While women are predominantly the ones pushing change, questions arise about who holds power and who is excluded, particularly from policy discussions and decisions affecting specific communities. This session challenges traditional leadership norms in law by unpacking how gender, race, disability, class, and migration shape access and authority. With a regional lens, we will explore leadership representation, spotlight women-led movements, refugee voices, and grassroots struggles for justice. This plenary asks participants to consider whether our legal systems reflect the people they serve, and what inclusive leadership should truly look like in our region. What kinds of institutions and laws should be created to safeguard the rights of impacted individuals and communities?

Speakers: 

Dato’ Shyamala Alagendra, Advocate & Solicitor (Malaysia) and International Criminal Lawyer (Malaysia)

Dato’ Shyamala Alagendra is a Malaysian lawyer with 26 years’ experience in international criminal prosecution and representing accused persons across multiple tribunals, including the International Criminal Court (ICC). Former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Fiji, she has served as Gender and Child Rights Adviser to UN investigative mechanisms and national reparations commissions, advancing survivor-centred and child-sensitive justice.

Wita Krisanti, Executive Director, Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE) (Indonesia)

Wita Krisanti is the Executive Director of the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE), an organization advancing gender equality and inclusive growth in Indonesia.

She holds a Master's degree in Social Anthropology from Monash University, brings over a decade of experience from the Australian Aid program, and has a strong commitment to developing future women leaders.

Moderator: Voon Su Huei, Assistant Treasurer, Association of Women Lawyers

Voon Su Huei is an Advocate & Solicitor whose practice focuses on commercial and contract litigation and arbitration.

Su Huei is an executive committee member of the Association of Women Lawyers. She believes in the power of inclusive leadership and open dialogue in driving meaningful policy change.

12.15 pm – 1.00 pm (GMT+8)

Plenary #3 | Lawyers in the Age of AI: Innovation, Integrity and Inclusion

Synopsis: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes legal practice and industry generally, how can women lawyers not only adapt but also lead? How can women harness AI as a strategic tool for career growth and opportunity, while building expertise in AI governance and legal-tech innovation?

We will also confront the gendered dimensions of emerging technologies, including algorithmic harm in gender-based violence cases and the well-documented gender biases embedded in AI systems.

In a rapidly evolving digital world, we ask: What does it take for women lawyers to lead with confidence, integrity, and vision, and turn AI from a challenge into a catalyst for professional advantage?

Speakers: 

Terri Mottershead, Director of Digital Enablement, Ashurst Advance (Australia)

Terri Mottershead is a globally recognised leader in the transformation of legal practice, working at the intersection of law, people, technology, and culture. As Director of Digital Enablement at Ashurst Advance, she shapes the firm's digital fluency and AI-enabled capability—changing how lawyers and business professionals work, collaborate, and deliver value to clients worldwide.

A strategist, educator, and champion of innovation, Terri brings deep experience across private practice, academia, NewLaw, global talent leadership, and start-ups on three continents. She previously served as inaugural Executive Director of the Centre for Legal Innovation and currently chairs the Queensland Law Society's AI in Legal Practice Consulting Committee.

Known for turning emerging trends into practical, human-centred pathways forward, Terri is a sought-after international keynote speaker and author who brings clarity to complexity, inspires confidence in change, and equips audiences to rethink what's possible as AI reshapes the global legal ecosystem.

Kirthi Jayakumar, Founder, Civitatem Resolutions (India)

Kirthi Jayakumar works at the cross section of emerging technologies, feminist foreign policy, and women peace security. She founded Civitatem Resolutions as an initiative to facilitate feminist approaches to tech governance by nurturing community, building ethical containers for engagement, and mapping constellations of knowledge and wisdom.

Moderator: Anishaa Sundramoorthy, Member, Association of Women Lawyers and Malaysian Bar Council

Anishaa Sundramoorthy practices general litigation with a focus on civil and commercial disputes. She has appeared at all levels of the Malaysian Courts and is also a qualified mediator. Anishaa serves as an elected member of the Malaysian Bar Council for the 2025/2026 term and is a member of the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL).

1.00 pm – 2.15 pm (GMT+8)

Lunch

2.15 pm – 3.15 pm (GMT+8)

Plenary #4 | Communicating for Inclusion: The Intersectionality Mindset 

Synopsis: This plenary explores what intersectionality means and how to foster inclusivity by recognising that every individual faces unique and overlapping challenges shaped by various aspects of their identities. How can we move beyond paternalistic attitudes that block access to power? Progress can only be achieved when everyone in the room moves forward together, while recognising that inclusion must consider any and all marginalised voices. Gain practical insights on how to cultivate empathy, respect diverse experiences, and build inclusive environments through thoughtful and mindful communication.

Speaker: Ng Lai Thin, Project Lead, National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC) (Malaysia)

Lai Thin is an inclusive education specialist and disability-inclusion advocate, shaped by her experience as a care partner to persons with cognitive differences. She is Project Lead at the National Early Childhood Intervention Council and a member of The OKU Rights Matter Project. Her work focuses on inclusive communication, access, and meaningful participation.

Moderator: Hurriyyah Kamaruzzaman, Partner, RDS Partnership

Hurriyyah Kamaruzzaman is a fund-raising lawyer with deep expertise in corporate, real estate, project financing, and commercial transactions covering various business segments in Malaysia. She regularly advises start-ups, VCs, and PE firms on legal strategy, deal structuring, and regulatory compliance, aligning legal solutions with commercial goals and investor’s priorities.

3.15 pm – 3.45 pm (GMT+8)

Plenary #5 | Let’s Look Inside You

Synopsis: Throughout this conference, we have spoken to you about being change-makers, how to lead boldly, using AI technology to your advantage, and how intersectionality can impact how you live, work and engage with the world around you. Now, let’s talk about you. How are you doing on the inside? What does your personal and professional growth, including physical and mental health journey, look like? Do you know where you are and who you are at this point in your life, and how to move on with the rest of your life with grace and grit?

Speaker: Lee San San, Chief Listener, Deep Listening Enterprise (Malaysia)

Lee San San bridges systems and humanity. From law to managing human capital and organisational design, her journey now centres on fostering awareness and wellbeing - supporting functional relationships with self and more conscious human-to-human frameworks - through her Deep Listening Enterprise practice.

3.45 pm - 4.45 pm (GMT+8)

Plenary #6 | Operationalising Success: Mindset, Marketing and Money

Synopsis: Explore how to price your worth, build a bold personal brand, attract and retain clients and contacts, and develop a resilient, success-driven mindset, if this matters to you. We will also confront the rising trend of “acting your wage” not as empowerment, but as a warning sign of undervaluation, overwork and structural barriers that push women into survival mode rather than growth. 

With real talk on money, marketing, and momentum, this plenary reframes leadership as a business strategy. Building a powerful career and life also means running it like a boss. Success does not happen by accident. It is built, strategically and with discipline and purpose. This plenary dives into what it truly takes for women lawyers to thrive as law firm owners, practice leaders, and rainmakers, and how to rise above workplace dynamics that limit your potential instead of fueling it.

Speaker:

Sitpah Selvaratnam, Independent Arbitrator (Malaysia)

Ms. Selvaratnam holds a LLB (University of Wales), a LLM (University of Cambridge), and a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators). She practiced as an Advocate & Solicitor in Malaysia for 33 years before becoming an Independent Arbitrator in 2024. She has been appointed as arbitrator in more than 50 disputes, by domestic and international arbitral institutions, parties and co-arbitrators.

Ms. Selvaratnam was a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration as Court Member for Malaysia from July 2018 to June 2024; and was a Court Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration from July 2019 to May 2025.

Habiba Balogun, Organisation Effectiveness Consultant and Executive Coach (Nigeria) 

Habiba Balogun is a strategic HR & organisation effectiveness consultant, trainer and executive coach with 28+ years’ global experience. A board member of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), she conducted their 2025 needs assessment for the women in law and lawmaking mentoring program. She is a sought after speaker on empowerment, leadership, and financial inclusion.

Jiamie Chen, Attorney (United States of America)

Jiamie began her practice at White & Case in Washington, D.C., before clerking in California and serving as a prosecutor in Las Vegas. She then applied her experience to finance, most recently at the New York hedge fund D.E. Shaw. She is now starting a new chapter in entrepreneurship.

Moderator: Azira Zainal, Treasurer, Association of Women Lawyers

Azira Zainal is a qualified advocate and solicitor (>20PQE) with in-house legal counsel, business affairs and senior management experience in cargo e-commerce logistics, fintech, TMT and content production industries. She also has private practice experience in Malaysia, UK and Thailand specialising in IP, corporate and commercial litigation. Azira Zainal is presently the Treasurer of AWL, actively involved in legislative reform concerning women, children and community development.

4.45 pm - 5.15 pm (GMT+8)

Closing | From Conversation to Action: Building the Future We Want

Synopsis: This closing invites you to reflect on and share what you have heard and what comes next for you. How can you build networks that leverage our unique position as a meeting point for diverse mindsets / unique approaches and collaborations?

It is time to move from inspiration to intention, and from intention to impact: 

• How will you turn your insight into advocacy, innovation and inclusive leadership?

• How can we activate collective action and community?

• What small, concrete steps will you take to shift culture and systems?

This is not the end; it is the beginning of a shared commitment to restyle the legal world, together. 

Speaker: Santhi Latha, EXCO, Association of Women Lawyers

5.15 pm - 5.30 pm (GMT+8)

Closing Address: Denise Lim, Vice President, Association of Women Lawyers

Denise is a Partner of Messrs Kee Sern, Siu & Huey. Her main areas of practice include family law, estate matters, trusts, and general litigation, including contractual and tortious disputes. She is Collaborative Lawyer trained by the International Academy of Collaborative Lawyers (IACP) and a Mediator trained by the Malaysian International Medication Centre. She currently serves as the Vice-President of the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL).