Breaking Barriers: First-Ever Malaysian Appointed as Global Chair of Prestigious Legal Powerhouse LAWorld
6 min read
Members of Laworld Executive Committee represented by senior partners of firms from Malaysia, Singapore,Turkey, Holland, Colombia, Germany, UK and the United States.
In a historic milestone for the Malaysian legal profession, Dato’ Mohamed Ridza Abdulla, Managing Partner of Mohamed Ridza & Co, has been appointed as the Global Chair of LAWorld, an international network of independent law firms. The appointment was formally approved on 8 May 2026 following a unanimous vote by members during the LAWorld Annual General Meeting held in Lisbon, Portugal. This election marks the first time a Malaysian has been chosen to lead the prestigious global organization since its inception three decades ago, signaling a significant shift in the leadership landscape of international legal networks.
LAWorld operates as a non-exclusive legal network comprising nearly 70 independent mid-sized law firms, representing more than 1,500 lawyers practicing across over 100 cities worldwide. The network is designed to offer clients direct access to high-quality local legal expertise across various jurisdictions while maintaining the personalized, partner-led service culture of its member firms. Dato’ Mohamed Ridza’s elevation to the global chair follows nearly twenty years of dedicated involvement with the network, beginning in 2007 when Mohamed Ridza & Co first joined as the Malaysian representative firm. His leadership journey within the organization includes previous tenures as Treasurer and Chair of the Asia Pacific region. b
Dato’ Mohamed Ridza Abdulla, Managing Partner of Malaysian law firm Mohamed Ridza & Co
In addition to this global leadership transition, the network has also strengthened its regional talent pipeline with the appointment of Muhammad Akhlil, a senior associate at Mohamed Ridza & Co, as the Director of LAWorld’s NextGen Programme for the Asia Pacific region. This initiative is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of legal practitioners within member firms by focusing on leadership development, cross-border exposure, and the nurturing of emerging talent. Together, these appointments underscore a growing influence of Malaysian legal expertise on the international stage, providing a structured gateway for local clients to access overseas expertise and for international investors to engage with recognized Malaysian counsel.
As he assumes the role of Global Chair, Dato’ Mohamed Ridza has established a strategic roadmap focused on expanding the network’s footprint in underrepresented regions such as Africa and the Gulf. His priorities include enhancing regional collaboration, scaling the NextGen Programme through international secondments, and strengthening digital governance across the network. By building a broader professional ecosystem, he aims to better support the cross-border needs of clients in an increasingly interconnected global market. Dato’ Mohamed Ridza noted that being part of such a network aligns with Malaysia’s historical identity as a trading nation, allowing the firm to act as a seamless one-stop center for both local and international clients navigating global markets.
Dato’ Mohamed Ridza expressed his gratitude to the senior leadership teams of the member firms for their trust, acknowledging the significant responsibility of ensuring LAWorld continues to reach new heights in legal excellence. He highlighted that the personal nature of the network’s membership allows for expedited, high-quality legal advice across the globe, distinguishing it from other international legal structures. With his appointment taking effect immediately, the Malaysian legal community celebrates a new era of global representation and connectivity within the international commercial and legal landscape.
