Michelle Woodworth, director at Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC, wishes she had a charming backstory that explains her decision for pursuing a law degree.
“Alas, the path that led me to law was borne out of the need to find a career which would offer financial independence.”
However, Woodworth has found her life’s work and calling in the law, specifically as a family and marriage lawyer.
Born into a family of justice seekers and protectors — her father Robert Woodworth served in the Singapore Police Force for 35 years and was full-time aide-de-camp to Singapore’s first president Yusof Ishak, while her uncle Kenneth Woodworth served 35 years in the Royal Malaysian Police and was instrumental in the capture of notorious criminal Botak Chin — Woodworth wanted to help people and families as a lawyer.
Key to this is her work in pushing for a less adversarial approach to resolving marital breakdowns and domestic conflicts.
Volunteering for various projects with the Community Justice Centre (CJC) enables her to champion therapeutic justice in her own way. The work she has done is significant. For example, The Primary Justice Project, which she helped to set up with the CJC, offers an affordable and effective solution by exploring possibilities of an amicable settlement before having to take costly legal action in court.
Another similar initiative is the Collaborative Justice Project, which she and another lawyer conceptualised with the CJC. The Family Justice Courts of Singapore, The Law Society of Singapore and the Singapore Mediation Centre support the Collaborative Family Practice (CFP) scheme. Here, appointed CFP lawyers and other family specialists work with the parties to negotiate an out-of-court agreement that best suits the family.
She helped with these, and more, while building a storied career. She served as a district judge of the Subordinate Courts of Singapore in the Family & Juvenile Justice Division (now the Family Justice Courts), led the representation and law reform section of the Law Society of Singapore as director and head, and served as a mediator for over a decade.
One of the most important lessons she has gained is to always remember and embody the values she has chosen and is proud of. “Someone once said to me that being a lawyer will expose all your flaws because legal practice tests you to the limit. That was important advice. I have been mindful to keep to principles of integrity, honesty and fortitude of character close to my heart,” she recalls. “Practice is demanding. So, it is vital to put in the hard work; have the hardware.”
Practising family law also requires ‘heartware’. “The journey with any client is one where tact, sensitivity and compassion will assist the client at a vulnerable time.”
When asked about her greatest achievement, Woodworth said she is “still a work in progress”. She did, however, relent on one thing. “Having a child has fulfilled me deeply and meaningfully. My empathy has grown, and I have learnt to be a better listener. I hope to continue in family practice, maximise my potential, set an honourable example for my daughter, and support her through the journey towards adulthood.”
Woodworth stays grounded by practising gratitude. “There is much to be thankful for. As Greek philosopher Epicurus said, we ought not spoil what we have by desiring what we have not; remembering that what we now have was once among the things we only hoped for.”
Videography: Marcus Lin
Photography: Mun Kong
Producer: Cara Yap
Styling: Chia Wei Choong
Hair: Peter Lee using Goldwell
Makeup: Keith Bryant Lee using Shiseido
