Sue Kench

ABOUT Sue Kench is the Immediate past Global Chief Executive of King & Wood Mallesons, Asia’s leading international law firm. Sue took on the Global Chief Executive role in 2017 after leading the firm in Australia for four years as Chief Executive Partner, Australia. During her time as Global Chief Executive, Sue worked closely with the Global Chairman and the firm’s International Management Committee to lead the firm’s international growth strategy. She is based in Hong Kong and spends significant time in China and Australia. Sue has received a number of accolades and acknowledgements for her impact and influence on the legal profession in the Asia Pacific. These include: • The Lawyers Weekly Lawyer of the 21st Century award recognising her significant professional achievements between 2000 and 2020 (2020) • Doctor of Letters honoris causa from Macquarie University in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the law (2019) • The esteemed ‘Legal leader’ award, at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Awards, in recognition of her significant role in driving King & Wood Mallesons growth and success across APAC (2018) • The Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence (2018) • The Lawyers Weekly Executive of the Year award Australia (2017). Sue was the first female in Australia to lead a top tier law firm in that role and is the first Australian female to lead a global law firm. She is also the Deputy Chair of AustCham China and is a member of Chief Executive Women, Australia. EXPERIENCE Immediate past Global Chief Executive Full-time Jan 2025 - Present Partner (Australia) Jan 1996 - Present Partner in the Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Law practice group. During this time oversaw the firm's delivery of capability and expertise to clients in the real estate sector. Acted for institutions, developers, investors and banking clients. Appointed Staff Partner for Property & Construction team on 12 November 1999, Sector Leader for the Real Estate team on 1 July 2011 and Managing Partner for the Real Estate, Construction & Environment team from 15 October 2012 to 22 May 2013. King & Wood Mallesons established 2012 - Present Global Chief Executive Jun 2017 - Dec 2024 Lead the development and implementation of the firm's international strategy and responsible for integrating the firm's international operations. Ensuring that the service the firm delivers is of real value to its clients and people. Oversees the firm's International Management Committee which is responsible for setting the firm's strategic priorities and international business plans. Appointed to International Management Committee May 2013 - Dec 2024 Chief Executive Partner, Australia Jan 2016 - May 2017 Responsible for the strategic direction, growth, leadership and network integration of the firm. Central to that role was ensuring that the service the firm delivers is of real value to clients. Responsible for extending and deepening the firm's international footprint in key growth markets. Managing Partner, Australia May 2013 - Dec 2015 Managing Partner, Real Estate, Construction & Environment (Australia) Oct 2012 - May 2013 Managing Partner in the Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Law practice group. During this time oversaw the whole of the Australian Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Law practice group as well as the delivery of capability and expertise to clients in the real estate sector. Appointed as an alternate to International Management Committee Mar 2012 - May 2013 Appointed to the Australian Board Jan 2010 - Oct 2012 Co-Chair of Admissions Committee (Australia) Feb 2005 - Oct 2012 Member of the Partnership Committee (Australia) Aug 2008 - Dec 2010 Senior Associate May 1993 - Dec 1995 Worked in the real estate team. Acted for institutions, developers, investors and banking clients. Assisted major players in the real estate sector on structuring and executing complex and ground-breaking deals.