13 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS – AUGUST 2024 WWW.LEGALBUSINESSONLINE.COM Over the past few decades, the number of female lawyers in Asia has surged, reflecting broader societal changes and an increasing recognition of the value women bring to the legal field. Female lawyers are increasingly taking on leadership positions and are recognised for their expertise in complex legal matters, from corporate governance to intellectual property law. Their participation in high-profile cases and significant transactions demonstrates their capabilities and the trust clients place in them. In its fourth annual ranking, ALB highlights outstanding women lawyers across Asia who have made significant contributions amidst this dynamic legal landscape. From over 155 submissions across 13 Asian jurisdictions, we’ve selected 15 female attorneys who have consistently demonstrated excellence in their work, setting remarkable standards within their specific legal domains. These lawyers have earned accolades not only from their peers and superiors but also from their clients. As we celebrate the achievements of the top female lawyers in Asia, it is essential to recognise both their strengths and the challenges they face in this evolving environment and understand their story and the unique perspectives they bring to our legal market. We speak to five of ALB’s top female lawyers in Asia on the role of societal and cultural norms in career progression, the challenges they faced climbing up the ladder, the role of technology in enabling their careers, the impact of female leadership in law firms and strategies law firms can implement to create a more inclusive culture for women in the legal workplace. IMPACT OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP ON LAW FIRM CULTURE Benedicta Du-Baladad, the founder and chief executive officer of Philippines-based BDB Law says, “Women leaders bring unique perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, decision-making, and client relations, SUBMISSION BREAKDOWN Jurisdiction Submissions Winners Hong Kong 32 2 India 38 2 Indonesia 17 2 Japan 6 1 Lebanon 2 0 Malaysia 10 1 Philippines 3 1 Singapore 21 2 South Korea 8 1 Taiwan 1 0 Thailand 5 1 UAE 1 0 Vietnam 11 1 Offshore 3 1 Total 155 15 BROUGHT TO YOU BY ATSUMI & SAKAI A conversation with Setsuko Yufu What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how has your journey evolved since you started? It was during my studies in Europe when I encountered EU law and decided that I wanted to pursue it for the rest of my career. After returning to Japan, where there was no chance to work on EU law at the time, I continued to study EU law by participating in academic conferences while developing acumen in corporate law through involvement in large-scale M&A and finance transactions. Through that effort and dedication to my work, and with the globalization of business in Japan, my journey has evolved to handle large international cartel cases and international corporate governance. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the legal profession, especially in Asia? In the legal profession, it is relatively easy to take control of your work and create your own life plan. However, childbirth, childcare, and caregiving at home can be a heavy burden colleagues and focus on studying when you carry a burden; when your burden is alleviated or released, then return to the front lines and put all your strength into your work. It is also important to help your colleagues and to be valuable to others, so that you will be able to garner their understanding and support when needed. How has mentorship played a role in your career, both as a mentee and a mentor? Mentorship played a very important role in advancing my legal career. My mentors provided me with invaluable guidance, advice and insights, not just on laws or practice, but rather on the culture and conventions of the male-dominated Japanese business society, the decision-making process in organizations, and the manners that we must learn under such circumstances. Without an understanding of the real business culture and environment, corporate legal advice will be incomplete, lacking the finishing touch. When I become a mentor, I try to give advice to junior colleagues from the perspective of how business society actually works. for women. Talented women are prone to go too far in the pursuit of perfection in all aspects of their work, which leads to a risk of self-destruction. It is crucial to be flexible and not to be obsessed with being always at the top of your game, but rather to step back a little from the front lines to assist your Setsuko Yufu Senior Partner E: setsuko.yufu@aplaw.jp Atsumi & Sakai Fukoku Seimei Bldg. 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-0011 Japan W: www.aplawjapan.com/en
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA0NzE4Mw==