‘Figure out for yourself what success looks like’ says Darien Leung, Managing Partner at Torys, in IBA interview
The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, welcomes Darien Leung, Managing Partner of the New York office of Torys LLP, as the seventh guest in series two of the Inspirational legal women podcast.
In conversation with Sara Carnegie, Director of the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU), Ms Leung reflects on her three-decade career and the changes she has witnessed across the legal profession. The discussion explores leadership, workplace culture and the importance of supporting younger lawyers. It also considers how ideas of professional success can evolve throughout a career.
Leadership across practice and the profession
Discussing her career at Torys, Canada’s major cross-border law firm, Ms Leung draws on her extensive experience in finance and lending across industries and in global transactions. Alongside her practice, she is a member of the firm’s Asian Network and Women+ Network.
Within the IBA, she currently serves as an officer of the Women Lawyers’ Committee and is closely involved in its Mentoring Moments initiative. During the podcast interview, Ms Leung identifies common themes affecting women around the world, recalling the influence of the women in her own life and the impact they had on her choice of career and her success.
Supporting the next generation of lawyers
A key theme of the episode is the role senior lawyers can play in supporting those entering the profession. Ms Leung discusses the importance of building strong relationships with young lawyers and creating an environment in which they can develop with confidence.
‘The idea of connecting with somebody, showing compassion, supporting their growth, letting them know that they’re safe somehow […] and also that they can achieve the goals that they want.’
The discussion also looks at the changing expectations around wellbeing, work-life balance and flexible working. Ms Leung acknowledges the tension firms experience in maintaining the atmosphere of in-person working whilst still offering flexibility.
‘We know that being in the office […] is so important to not only culture, but to the product, to the legal services you provide. But […] everybody’s different in terms of what they want.’
Defining success in the legal profession
The episode also explores how lawyers define professional success. Ms Leung reflects on the importance of identifying individual goals rather than measuring achievement against a single career path. The conversation then turns to the compromises that can shape a legal career and the importance of finding work that remains personally fulfilling.
‘I think the most the most important thing is to figure out for yourself what success looks like […] whether that’s going in house […] or staying at a firm or even not becoming a partner […] everything requires choices and you can’t beat yourself up. You can’t have it all, but you can have some things and you can find a career that makes you happy.’
A global platform for women’s voices in law
The Inspirational legal women podcast highlights the experiences of women across jurisdictions and practice areas, sharing leadership journeys and practical insights into navigating the profession.
The series forms part of the IBA’s wider Raising the Bar: Women in Law project – a global research initiative examining gender representation and career progression across private practice, in-house roles, the public sector and the judiciary, with a particular focus on leadership and senior positions.
Since 2022, the project has published comparative reports spanning multiple jurisdictions, identifying persistent barriers to advancement and opportunities for reform. Phase 2 of the project includes a global survey capturing women’s experiences in the legal profession, the findings of which were presented on 12 March 2026 at a launch event in London hosted by the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton.
Podcast series momentum continues
Series two follows the success of series one of the podcast, which was launched in 2025, continuing its mission by highlighting the stories of senior legal figures from around the world. The first six episodes of the 2026 series can be found here, as well as all episodes from series one.
By sharing the personal stories and leadership insights of senior women legal professionals, the podcasts aim to inspire the next generation of legal professionals while contributing to ongoing global efforts to improve gender equality across the profession.
Listen to the episode featuring Darien Leung here.
Read the full transcript from the episode here.
Download a photo of Darien Leung here.
View upcoming guests here.
**ENDS**
Notes:
- Click here for all podcast episodes.
- Click here for information on the IBA Raising the Bar: Women in Law project (formerly titled ‘A longitudinal study into gender disparity in law’)
- Click here to read the IBA Raising the Bar: Women in Law Project – Phase 2 Report.
- The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
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