I want to become a partner: insights on how to get there

Caroline Berube is the Managing Partner of HJM Asia Law (with offices in China and Singapore). She is admitted to the New York Bar, the Singapore Bar, holds a BCL (civil law) and an LL.B. (common law) from McGill University in Montreal and studied Chinese law at the National University of Singapore. Caroline has been working in Asia for more than 27 years with SMEs, MNCs and foreign banks, advising them in the field of commercial law, intellectual property, human resources and M&A in the Asia Pacific region. With an extensive presence on the ground in Asia for 27 years. Caroline is well versed in the opportunities and risks associated with most Asian jurisdictions.

Ajra is an International Bar Association (IBA) Scholar for 2023, having represented Sri Lanka in Paris, and currently serves as the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum Liaison Officer of the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee—strengthening her global footprint in the legal community. She is a Partner at Colombo Associates Legal, a full-service law firm, where she leads high-value transactions, complex litigation, and international arbitration matters with strategic insight and precision. She is an accomplished international legal practitioner with a strong background in commercial law, arbitration, and cross-border business advisory. With extensive experience representing both corporate and individual clients across multiple jurisdictions, Ajra is recognized for her ability to navigate sophisticated legal frameworks and manage high-profile commercial disputes and global partnerships. Her work spans international business structuring, investment advisory, and strategic cross-border counsel, making her a trusted advisor for commercial entities and public institutions alike. She holds a Master of Human Rights and Democratization from the University of Colombo and continues to combine legal excellence with a commitment to advancing justice, governance, and international cooperation.

Jeff counsels private equity investors, family offices and public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions and investment transactions, many of which are international in scope. He understands his clients’ businesses, their objectives, and the markets in which they compete. Jeff’s practice spans industries such as technology, media, telecommunications, and life sciences. Jeff helps to coordinate Troutman Pepper Locke's international law firm relationships and also serves as the Managing Partner of the firm's Providence, RI office.

Daniela Flores is a partner at EC Rubio, a top full-service law firm in Mexico, in its Corporate M&A and transactional team, where her practice since 15 years ago covers all aspects of corporate law to domestic and international companies, including foreign investment, corporate governance and compliance. She focuses her practice advising foreign clients doing business in Mexico, in corporate, M&A, commercial, real estate matters, and advising as Mexico counsel in cross-border and multi-jurisdictional mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate restructures. Daniela is admitted to practice law in Mexico, and earned her Master of Laws degree from New York University School of Law in 2014 as a Fulbright alumna.

Rupinder Malik is a Senior Partner and an Executive Committee member at JSA, top tier law firm in India. Rupinder is a Corporate/M&A and White-Collar Crimes Investigations lawyer with more than 27 years of experience. She is an expert in Mergers and Acquisitions, joint ventures; strategic alliances; cross-border investments; and restructurings. She has led some complex transactions and advised clients on foreign investments and related regulatory issues for India entry as well as matters related to general corporate, employment, information technology and foreign exchange control laws. She has also led investigation into claims of misconducts including fraud, money laundering, bribery, corruption, sexual harassment, and violation of internal codes of conduct. Prior to JSA, Rupinder was with Baker & McKenzie. She is also a Chapter leader of India Chapter of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association (“WWCDA”) which is a coalition of women attorneys and other professionals, globally. She is also a Legal Lead of Women’s India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) in their Banking and Credit Council and on the legal board of “Hera” an NGO promoted by women entrepreneurs and industry leaders across the world.

Annette has 10 years of experience in the banking and finance sectors; her main areas of practice are banking and finance; corporate and capital markets. As well, she leads the pro bono practice. Previously, she was an in-house lawyer at the biggest bank of El Salvador, actively participating in complex financial transactions, and advising in risk matters and capital markets. Additionally, she has experience managing the corporate governance of several companies; leading the negotiation of guaranty trusts, local and international loan agreements.