The International Bar Association has named Debevoise & Plimpton partner Catherine Amirfar as the winner of its 2026 Outstanding International Woman Lawyer Award.
New York-based Amirfar said she was “deeply honoured” to receive the award from the IBA.
She added: “The idea of law as a critical tool in the service of justice and peace has been an animating force for me, and this award stands as a tribute to a profession full of extraordinary women lawyers dedicated to expanding opportunity, defending the rule of law and shaping a better future for all.”
The award recognises women who have shown exceptional professional excellence and have made a significant contribution to the advancement of women lawyers; last year’s winner was RPC partner, Natasha Tardif. Amirfar was recognised for her long-standing work in international law and her efforts to help women advance in legal careers through mentorship, leadership, advocacy and high-impact pro bono cases.
The IBA highlighted Amirfar’s advocacy for women lawyers by promoting their visibility through speaking, associations and mentoring. Such work had, it said, addressed historical underrepresentation in senior roles, fostered inclusive networks and created pathways for emerging women lawyers to lead globally.
In a joint statement, the judges – Masako Banno, Adriana Castro, Ileana Glodeanu and Clara-Ann Gordon – stated: “This award recognises not only excellence in international law, but the power to shape its direction.
“Catherine’s work stands out for its extraordinary impact, from landmark cases before the world’s leading courts to advancing accountability, human rights and the rule of law on a global scale. Just as importantly, she is redefining leadership in the profession by building diverse teams and opening doors for others to follow. Her achievements demonstrate that success is measured not only by outcomes but by the lasting change those outcomes create.”
They concluded: “Catherine does not just win cases; she is helping to reshape what leadership and success in international law look like.”
In addition to being a litigation partner, Amirfar has served on Debevoise & Plimpton’s management committee for six years. She is also a co-chair of its international dispute resolution group and the firm’s public international law group.
Mark Friedman, Amirfar's fellow disputes co-chair at Debevoise, added his own tribute: “This is truly a well-deserved honour for Catherine, and a reflection of her extraordinary leadership, exceptional advocacy and unwavering commitment to advancing the rule of law.
“Catherine is a fantastic colleague and a pillar of our practice. Throughout her career, she has distinguished herself not only as one of the world’s leading international disputes lawyers, but also as a dedicated mentor and champion for the next generation in the profession.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement and congratulate Catherine on this prestigious recognition.”
The IBA said Amirfar had used her global platform to expand opportunities for female practitioners and champion initiatives to advance female leadership in law, including the IBA’s own gender equality initiative, which Debevoise supported earlier this year.
Debevoise is well known for its support of the IBA, with Amirfar’s long-serving predecessor as co-chair, David Rivkin, having served as IBA president in 2006-2007, and former ABA president Deborah Enox-Ross currently serving as the IBA’s current secretary-treasurer.
Among many leadership roles, as President of the American Society of International Law (2020-2022), Amirfar integrated women into key leadership panels, ensuring equal representation and opening doors for younger generations of female international lawyers.
The award was also given for her work since 2021 as deputy co-chair of the IBA’s High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, a role she performs alongside 3VB’s Can Yeginsu and panel chair Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, the director of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute.
As part of her work in this field, Amirfar collaborated with the Clooney Foundation for Justice on several high-profile cases involving unlawfully imprisoned journalists.
The award was presented to Amirfar during the 11th World Women Lawyers’ Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, last month.
The Global Legal Post is the official publisher of the IBA Daily News, a daily newspaper distributed at the IBA’s annual conference, which will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 4 to 9 October 2026. For advertising enquiries, email [email protected].
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