Leading Female Divorce Lawyers in Singapore

We sometimes get requests from clients that they would prefer a female divorce lawyer to represent them. While the gender of your divorce lawyer won’t determine the outcome of your case – above all, you should engage someone who will listen to and understand your situation and has the experience and skills to communicate it to the Court – finding the “best fit” lawyer for you also entails selecting someone whom you will feel comfortable working with.

Accordingly, while no single personality type or gender will suit every case, some female clients feel more comfortable discussing the intimate details of their marriage with another woman. Conversely, some men believe that a female divorce lawyer may help present their arguments against their spouse in a manner that is persuasive while also being less harsh.

With this in mind, we’d like to introduce some of the leading female divorce lawyers in Singapore.

Dorothy Tan

Dorothy Tan is one of the leading family lawyers in Singapore, recognised for her exceptional legal expertise and dedication.

Achievements:

• Named “Top 100 Women in Litigation” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2021, acknowledging her impactful litigation work and peer and client respect.
• Named “Litigation Star” in Family and Matrimonial Law in Asia-Pacific by Benchmark Litigation (2021, 2022, 2024).
• Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer in Doyle’s Guide (2016 to 2024).
• She was named among Asia’s Top Young Lawyers – “Asia’s Brightest Young Legal Minds” by Asian Legal Business in 2016.
• Singapore’s Top 20 Most Influential Lawyers “Top Lawyers Under 40” by Singapore Business Review in 2016.
• Shortlisted for “Woman Lawyer of the Year” by Asian Legal Business at the SE Asia Law Awards (2018, 2024)
• She was named as finalist for “Young Lawyer of the Year” in 2017 by Asian Legal Business.

Notable Cases:

• Successfully led a team at age 25 to win a complex divorce case at the Court of Appeal, securing 75% of $13.6 million in matrimonial assets for her client—one of the largest asset swings in appeal court history.
• In the landmark case Twiss, Christopher James Hans v Twiss, Yvonne Prendergast [2015] SGCA 52, she argued and won at the highest court in Singapore, setting a precedent in the division of matrimonial assets.

Professional Accreditations:

• Singapore Mediation Centre Accredited Mediator
• Singapore Mediation Centre Accredited Collaborative Family Practitioner (CFP)
• Appointed to Singapore Mediation Centre’s Panel of Collaborative Family Practitioners (CFP)

Author

Co-author of the book “Divorce Done Right”.

Charlene Nah

Charlene has been recognised as a Family Law Rising Star in 2022 and 2023 by Doyles Guide to Leading Singapore Family and Divorce Lawyers.

Charlene is also named one of “Singapore’s Rising Stars 2023” by Asian Legal Business in its annual ranking of emerging legal talent in Singapore.  The list includes lawyers who have demonstrated “exceptional talent and received praise from clients.”  Charlene was recognised for her work in divorce law, wills, and probate law.

Charlene is the lead lawyer in a case that was extensively reported in the Straits Times: “Man went all out to ‘hide’ over $3m from the ex-wife.” She successfully acted for the ex-wife in a case where the ex-husband had hidden more than $3 million from her.

Charlene has received specialist training in Mediation and Collaborative Practice and has specialist family law accreditations:

• Singapore Mediation Centre Accredited Mediator
• Singapore Mediation Centre Accredited Collaborative Family Practitioner (CFP)
• Appointed to Singapore Mediation Centre’s Panel of Collaborative Family Practitioners (CFP)

Jessica Chow

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Jessica Chow has been recognised as one of “Singapore’s Rising Stars” in 2023 and 2024 by Asian Legal Business for her exceptional talent in the legal field.

A graduate of the University of Bristol, UK, Jessica specializes in HDB and CPF issues in divorce cases. She has a proven track record in negotiating and mediating family disputes, leading many to swift and amicable settlements.

Professional Accreditations:

• Singapore Mediation Centre Accredited Mediator
• Singapore Mediation Centre Accredited Collaborative Family Practitioner (CFP)
• Appointed to Singapore Mediation Centre’s Panel of Collaborative Family Practitioners (CFP)

Jessica also contributes to Lexis Practical Guidance – Family Law Module, showcasing her expertise in the field.

Mathea Lim

Mathea Lim is a Family Law specialist at PKWA Law. Mathea’s areas of expertise are in advising clients on complex high-net-worth financial cases involving the division of assets and maintenance and intricate children disputes.

Mathea is the lead lawyer in a case that was reported extensively in the media: “Court orders man to pay son’s preschool fees to ex-wife”. In that case, she successfully acted for the ex-wife when the ex-husband had refused to pay the school fees.

Scholarships Awarded

• Distinction for Part B Family Law Course 2019
• LexisNexis Family Law Prize December 2018 – awarded to the top student in Family Law (NUS Law)
• Wee Chong Jin Scholarship in Law (Academic Year 2018-2019)
• NUS Law Dean’s List (Academic Year 2015-2016)

Charmaine Chua

Charmaine Chua is a family law specialist. She does family law exclusively.

Charmaine graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Second Class Honours (Upper)) and completed the University Scholars’ Programme. Before being called to the Bar, she had exposure in civil, criminal and family law work. Since being called to the Bar, Charmaine has worked exclusively in the area of family law.

Awards

• Peter English Memorial Prize 2018 – Awarded to the best student in respective sections of criminal law

Athelia Ong

Athelia Ong specialises in family law. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Singapore Management University and is an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.

Her practice includes acting for clients in:-

• Both contentious and non-contentious divorce matters;
• Custody, care and control applications;
• Maintenance applications;
• Variation applications;
• Guardianship applications;
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements;
• Cross-border issues;
• Relocation applications; and
• Deeds of Separation.

Sabrina Chau

Sabrina graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Second Class Honours (Upper)) from the National University of Singapore and is an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.

Her practice includes the following areas of work:

• Divorce, including contested Ancillary Matters hearings, mediations, uncontested divorce;
• Marital Agreements;
• Annulment;
• Variation of Court Orders;
• Wills and Probate;
• Theft;
• Road traffic offences;
• Violent crimes;
• Misuse of Drugs;
• Cheating;
• Sexual offences; and
• White Collar offences.