Female Legal Leaders Seminars

Following the great success of Female Legal Leaders Seminars in 2019 and 2020, CUHK LAW held the fourth Female Legal Leaders Seminar on 18 November 2021 at Graduate Law Center. The seminar was delivered by three distinguished legal leaders: Ms. Sharon Ser, Partner of Withersworldwide, leading family lawyer in Hong Kong, Ms. Elsie Yiu, Vice President of ISS World Services, former barrister turned Board member of listed corporation in Denmark and Ms. Jennifer Ngai, Assistant General Counsel of Asian Development Bank, former Linklaters lawyer turned international organisation legal counsel. The discussion was led by Professor Queenie Lai, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning.   

The three distinguished speakers shared their unique career trajectories and their insights as female practitioners in the industry. The seminar was an opportunity for our students to meet with some of the brilliant minds of Hong Kong legal community and to understand the value of diversity and inclusion. It is important for our students to be inspired by positive role models, to see that each of us can realize our strengths and make a difference with our unique talents.

One important question discussed was why many women tend to drop out at some point in their career. Our speakers shared facts and figures showing why there are still very few women at the senior level of the legal industry and how this problem can be addressed. Women need the understanding and support from their work organizations, whether they choose to step back, lean in or step up at different stages in life.  

The speakers shared their personal experience on how they overcome challenges – such as trusting your gut instinct and not be afraid to take detours in life. Ultimately, the driving force for a long and successful career has to be finding your own personal passion – be it to make or change the law, to create a difference to society or to trailblaze for women in the profession.