Malaysian-born lawyer Joanne Jayanti Vengadesan has been elected to lead Multilaw, one of the world’s major international law firm networks, marking a significant milestone for the UK-based technology and AI specialist.
Vengadesan, 52, a partner at London-based Penningtons Manches Cooper, was elected Chair-Elect at Multilaw’s Global Conference in Prague earlier this month.
She will become the first Malaysian to chair the network when she begins her two-year term in September 2027, succeeding Australian lawyer Paul Kirton of Macpherson Kelley.
Multilaw connects independent law firms across more than 100 countries and approximately 300 offices, providing international legal coverage without the structure of a single global law firm.
Vengadesan’s appointment is particularly noteworthy given her technology background at a time when artificial intelligence, data regulation and cross-border legal services are reshaping international legal practice.
She heads Penningtons Manches Cooper’s Technology Sector group, advising on AI, technology and data matters.
Her legal career began in Kuala Lumpur, where she was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1997 and initially practised intellectual property law before moving to Britain, where she has worked for approximately 25 years.
The daughter of Malaysian diplomat Datuk R. Vengadesan, she grew up internationally, spending time in Belgium and Thailand before studying in Britain.
She has also maintained close professional connections with Malaysia, including speaking to the Malaysian Bar on AI and digital transformation.
Multilaw chief executive Adam Cooke, who has known Vengadesan for nearly two decades, welcomed her election, highlighting her experience and understanding of the relationships underpinning the network.
The LawFuel Angle: Her elevation also reflects the growing importance of technology expertise in international law firm leadership. As independent firms compete for increasingly complex cross-border work, networks such as Multilaw offer an alternative to the expensive infrastructure of the global legal giants.
Having an AI and technology specialist in the chair could prove particularly timely.
