Women Business Lawyers
Chair
 |
Sitpah Selvaratnam
Messrs Tommy Thomas
101 Jalan Ara, Bangsar
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
|
Vice-Chairs
| Kaori Miyake Federal Express Tokyo, Japan Tel. 81-3-5275-5014 Fax 81-3-5275-5024 E-Mail: kmiyake@fedex.com |
Priti Suri Priti Suri & Associates (PSA), Legal Counsellors Priti Suri New Delhi, India Tel. 91-11-4350-0500 Fax 91-11-4350-0502 E-Mail: p.suri@psalegal.com |
|
Helen Haixiao Zhang |
Cristina de A. Salvador Miguel Neto Advogados Associados Sao Paulo, Brazil Tel. 55-11-5502-1246/1275 Fax 55-11-5505-5089 E-mail: cas@mnadv.com.br |
The Women Business Lawyers Committee (WBLC) provides an excellent opportunity for women advocates, solicitors and corporate counsel in the Asia-Pacific region, and around the world, to interact at a professional and positive forum in support of our practices; and to share experience, ideas and ideals.
The Committee presents a program at each annual IPBA meeting, centered around a theme of practical interest to all lawyers, both male and female. The WBLC session at IPBA 2010 in Singapore entitled "Legal Storm, From Turbulent Times" took a unique approach. In considering the changes impacting legal practice in recent times, the WBLC chose to conduct a survey on the key motivators to multi-generations of lawyers that co-exist in a law firm, particularly young lawyers of Generation Y born after 1980. Fascinating panel insights and frank discussion on the results of the survey provided much materials for participants to consider in adapting existing management structures towards retaining talent within a law firm or corporate organization. The survey results may be accessed below.
Reflecting the diversity of topics that interest the WBLC, the 2009 Conference in Manila saw a captivating presentation on "Microfinance; Banking at the Base of the Pyramid: Microfinance is Changing and How You Can be Involved" by experienced professionals of the Asian Development Bank, who skillfully brought to the fore the objective compassion by which Microfinance has enhanced the quality of lives of many from developing countries, facilitated by the concise use of advanced technology.
At the 2008 Conference in Los Angeles, the WBLC's hosted debate over "The Quest for Work-Life Balance in Legal Practice: The Essential Challenge and the Path to Integration". Do access the PowerPoint presentation below. Other recent themes of the WBLC sessions have included the entry of foreign law firms into local jurisdictions, the role of leadership, and the art of successful networking.
Additionally, the WBLC is earnest in its support of its members' initiatives at their respective jurisdictions.
The International Dispute Resolution Conference in Kuala Lumpur on 7th May 2010 exemplifies such support. Immediately following from the IPBA Singapore 2010, the WLBC in collaboration with other IPBA Committees, the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators and the Malaysian Bar Council, paneled a vibrant session at the International Dispute Resolution Conference in Kuala Lumpur. The WBLC panel, comprising 6 eminent women lawyers from various jurisdictions enthralled participants with their vivacious interactive discussion on "Women in Dispute Resolution: Bringing Down Barriers".
On February 10, 2009, the WBLC organized a successful conference in New Delhi, India, carrying the theme "Women Business Lawyers Conference: Encouraging Success and Maintaining Balance", which has since inspired the formation of a dynamic focus group in Delhi.
We warmly welcome your views at our next programme!
Microfinance; Banking at the Base of the Pyramid: Microfinance is Changing and How You Can Be Involved