32 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS – JUNE 2024 WWW.LEGALBUSINESSONLINE.COM WOMEN IN LAW In this special feature, we highlight certain exceptional female legal professionals and their triumphs in defying cultural and professional biases to make their mark within Asia’s legal sector. These women, who lead some of Asia’s most prominent corporate legal teams and law firms, share their perspectives on empowering female legal talents and fostering a united front for gender equality in the legal profession. BY SARAH WONG WOMEN IN LAW Image: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com Amante graduated as salutatorian from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 2000 and placed seventh in the Philippine bar examinations of the same year. Fresh out of law school, she started at a top-tier law firm, and later, a listed real estate company; in 2007 she joined the Jollibee Group as Senior Legal Counsel and Officer in Charge of Legal, and within a year was confirmed as the Head of Legal. Over the years, she took on greater responsibilities, and in 2023, she was appointed as Jollibee Group’s first Chief Legal, Ethics, and Compliance Officer. She was instrumental in establishing the legal function’s international presence, and current leads a team of 31 lawyers and paralegals across the USA, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Ireland, and the Philippines. When Amante joined the company, only five of the current 18 brands were part of its portfolio; Amante led the legal work for acquiring all the rest. She also set new company standards through various initiatives, including the Jollibee Group’s Integrated Ethics and Compliance Program and its 24-7 multilingual international ethics hotline. Amante was recognized as ALB’s Southeast Asia’s In-House Lawyer of the Year in 2023 and Philippines In-House Lawyer of the Year in 2016. Under her helm, the Jollibee Group’s legal team was named among the Top 15 Legal Teams in Asia by ALB. Through it all, she remains committed to merit-based hiring and celebrating diversity and has fostered a team with significant female representation and inclusivity, including two persons with disabilities, one of which is herself. Outside work, Amante is in the process of completing her scuba diving certification with one son and taking singing lessons with the other. Her husband and children are all avid Jollibee fans and proud of her nearly two decades of dedicated service to “bringing the joy of eating to everyone.” VALERIE FERIA AMANTE Chief Legal, Ethics, and Compliance Officer, Jollibee Group
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