The Women Lawyers Conference 2023

Get ready for a transformational experience!

The Women Lawyers Conference is back!

In 2023, our theme is Power and Purpose, and the goal is to explore the "how" and the "why" with female leaders from many different backgrounds and countries, and to connect with industry trailblazers, and shape the future, our future.

Are you ready to be a part of something extraordinary?

Register Now

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The 4th Women Lawyers Conference will be a combination of virtual and in-person events that aim to provide women legal professionals, in-house counsel, pupils-in-chambers, and law students with a platform to connect, communicate, collaborate about different aspects of a legal career.

Theme: Women Lawyers | Power & Purpose

"Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong; it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength” ~ G.D. Anderson.

It is time to have critical conversations around fundamentals that impact women as individuals and as legal professionals. This event is a journey of impactful conversations, lead and inspired by individuals who have walked the talk, in a space where women legal professionals can feel and understand their own strength and tell their stories.

DAY 1 | VIRTUAL SESSIONS | WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2023

7.00 pm - 7.15 pm | Welcome Address: Chairperson, Organising Committee, Association of Women Lawyers

7.15 pm – 8.00 pm | Plenary 1 | Unveil the Power Suit Within

Synopsis: This plenary is about managing perceptions of `Who You Are' and will navigate the art of projecting authenticity, resilience, and influence, while addressing imposter syndrome. Discover how to strategically shape your professional image, while embracing your unique identity as a woman lawyer. Join us for an empowering session that transcends stereotypes and empowers success.

8.00 pm – 9.15 pm | Breakout #1A | You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader

Synopsis: Elevate your leadership prowess. Explore how small actions, influential communication, and self-assuredness can shape your leadership journey, regardless of your title.

Key Takeaways: Empowerment through initiative, fostering team collaboration, and cultivating a leadership mindset.

8.00 pm – 9.15 pm | Breakout #1B | Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office

Synopsis: Navigate the delicate balance between assertiveness and empathy. Learn to set healthy boundaries while preserving your professional trajectory.

Key Takeaways: Strengthened assertiveness, enhance work-life harmony, and adopt interesting strategies to overcome 'nice girl' misconceptions.

DAY 2 | VIRTUAL SESSIONS | THURSDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2023

7.00 pm - 7.45 pm | Plenary #2 | Empowering Choice: Your Reproductive Rights

Synopsis: This is intended to be a thought-provoking conversation about your reproductive rights – from a societal and individual perspective – to explore the impact of the choices you make about your body. Understand the evolving complexities surrounding your bodily autonomy, family planning, and access to essential healthcare.

7.45 pm – 9.00 pm | Breakout #2A | The Patter of Tiny Feet or Not, and Impact

Synopsis: Delve into the social, cultural, professional, and personal dimensions of your reproductive choices. Uncover the diverse narratives shaping decisions on parenthood, family planning, and contraception.

Key Takeaways: Understanding the significance of bodily autonomy, navigating, and fostering inclusive dialogues on reproductive rights.

7.45 pm – 9.00 pm | Breakout #2B | Who Says Perimenopause + Menopause are Irrelevant?

Synopsis: Navigate the uncharted waters of hormonal transitions. Discover how social and workplace considerations intersect with women's health during perimenopause and menopause.

Key Takeaways: Understand what will happen to your body, work towards supportive workplaces, enhance your ability to address your specific health concerns, and dismantle taboos surrounding midlife changes.

DAY 3 | IN-PERSON SESSIONS | FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023

9.00 am – 9.15 am | AWL President’s Address | Daniella Zulkifili

9.15 am – 9.45 am | Special Address | Celebrating the Achievements of Women Legal Professionals

9.45 am – 10.15 am | Tea Break

10.15 am – 10.45 am | Thoughts from a Legal Profession Perspective | The Light We Carry | President, Malaysian Bar

Synopsis: In recent years, the legal profession has undergone significant change, amongst which include rapidly rising numbers of women in its ranks. The female membership of the Malaysian Bar stood at 56% at the end of 2022. Of these, female practitioners aged between 21 and 30 years (19.5%) was more than double that of male practitioners in the same age group.

The questions to be considered are how to enhance the parameters of integration; and how to reduce / eradicate inequality in the careers of women in a contemporary legal profession.

10.45 am – 11.30 am | Plenary #3 | Crafting Empowerment | What is Your Legacy?

Synopsis: The path for women to achieve financial autonomy and self-sufficiency is peppered with obstacles. Explore savvy strategies and insights, and legal considerations to secure your financial future. Uncover the art of building a legacy while navigating the unique opportunities and challenges that shape women's financial journeys.

11.30 am – 12.45 pm | Breakout #3A | Legacy Building and Islamic Principles

Synopsis: Navigate the intricacies of financial planning, wealth distribution, and philanthropy from a Muslim standpoint.

Key Takeaways: Insights into Shariah-compliant practices, building a meaningful financial legacy, and fostering social impact aligned with Islamic values.

11.30 am – 12.45 pm | Breakout #3B | Legacy Building from a Non-Muslim Perspective

Synopsis: Explore legacy building from a diverse lens of universal financial strategies, legal frameworks, and empowerment tools so you can secure your financial independence and leave a legacy.

Key Takeaways: Practical steps for legacy planning, cross-cultural considerations, and achieving financial self-sufficiency.

12.45 pm – 1.30 pm | Lunch

1.30 pm – 2.15 pm | Plenary #4 | Skill Focus | Utilising Collaborative Law for Career Advancement

Synopsis: Explore the transformative power of using collaborative law processes in legal practice to foster professional growth and address complex intersectional challenges. Learn to harness the knowledge of other specialists and gain insights into leveraging collaborative law skills, processes and strategies for effective long-term conflict resolution, network expansion, and navigating intersectional issues.

2.15 pm – 3.00 pm | Plenary #5 | The Not So Peripheral Issues of Stalking, Sexual Harassment, and Workplace Toxicity

Synopsis: Unveil strategies to combat pervasive challenges faced by women in the legal field. Engage in insightful discussions, share experiences, and discover collective solutions to ensure safety, respect, and a healthy work environment. The goal is to foster change, amplify voices, and champion a profession free from harassment and toxicity.

3.00 pm – 3.45 pm | Plenary #6 | The Woman Professional | Navigating Your Path

Synopsis: Explore the pivotal question of when and why to make strategic moves in your legal profession. Gain insights into the art of assessing opportunities, embracing change, and aligning career trajectories with personal and professional aspirations. Discover the wisdom of staying or of seeking new horizons.

3.45 pm – 5.00 pm | Breakout #6A | Should I Stay, or Should I Go?

Synopsis: Dive into the dynamic of staying put or venturing beyond in your legal career. Delve into the intricacies of making career transitions, assessing risks, and seizing opportunities.

Key Takeaways: Tools for strategic decision-making, understanding your personal motivations, and embracing change for your professional growth.

3.45 pm – 5.00 pm | Breakout #6B | Do You Need to Stop Running? What is Your Definition of Success?

Synopsis: Reflect on your unique path to success. Unravel the layers of achievement, well-being, and personal fulfillment and discover how to redefine success on your terms, cultivating a harmonious and purpose-driven legal (or other) career.

Key Takeaways: Self-discovery, aligning your goals with your values, and crafting a fulfilling professional narrative for yourself.

5.00 pm – 6.00 pm | Closing | Women in Law | Perspectives from the Malaysian Bench

Synopsis: The inclusion of women judges has contributed to ensuring a more transparent, inclusive, and reflective judiciary, particularly on the people whose lives their decisions impact. The presence of female judges enhances the credibility of the judicial system and sends a compelling message that the courts are accessible and available to all who seek justice. Delve into the perspectives of this esteemed panel of Judges to understand their achievements, motivations, and challenges on their journey.

6.15 pm – 7.30 pm | Mocktails & Networking Session