Making a difference

JUST days away from announcing a trailblazing deal that would put Singapore on the map of the global legal fraternity, Jami Wintz McKeon and Lee Suet Fern are sitting, relaxed, chatting in the Stamford Law offices up on the 27th floor of Ocean Financial Centre. It's early March, and the frenzied paperwork around the groundbreaking merger is mostly done.

Ms McKeon, chair of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, one of the world's top legal firms, and Mrs Lee, Stamford Law's senior director and founder, are combining their firms in a unique tie-up that marks the Singapore firm's globalisation, and, for Morgan Lewis, a firm foothold in Asia.

And while the news would make headlines beyond the legal world, it's business as usual for the two impeccably dressed powerhouse lawyers - Ms McKeon in her bright blue dress matched with amethyst and emerald earrings, and Mrs Lee in her grey power suit adorned with a summery scarf.