Catherine Amirfar is announced as the winner of the 2026 International Bar Association (IBA) Outstanding International Woman Lawyer Award . The Award recognises women who have shown exceptional professional excellence and have made a significant contribution to the advancement of women within the legal profession. Awardees exemplify integrity, leadership and commitment to promoting gender equality and opportunity in law.
Ms Amirfar, a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, commented: 'I am deeply honoured to receive this award from the IBA and grateful to all the women and men who invested in me throughout my career. 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.'
Ms Amirfar was presented with the award in recognition of her enduring career in international law and for actively helping women advance in their legal careers through direct mentorship, institutional leadership, public advocacy and high-impact pro bono litigation.
Beyond her own practice, Ms Amirfar has been a prominent advocate for increasing the visibility and influence of women within the international legal profession. Through speaking engagements, professional associations and mentoring initiatives, she has consistently encouraged greater participation by women in international dispute resolution and public international law − both are fields in which senior female practitioners have historically been underrepresented. Her leadership has helped foster more inclusive professional networks and created pathways for emerging women lawyers to assume leadership roles within the global legal community.
In a joint statement, the members of the judging panel, Masako Banno, Adriana Castro, Ileana Glodeanu and Clara-Ann Gordon stated: 'We are pleased to recognise Catherine Amirfar as the winner of the 2026 IBA Outstanding International Woman Lawyer Award. 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 not only measured by outcomes, but by the lasting change those outcomes create. Catherine does not just win cases, she is helping to reshape what leadership and success in international law look like. Many congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition'
In addition to being a litigation partner, Ms Amirfar served as a Member of Debevoise & Plimpton's Management Committee for six years. She is also a Co-Chair of the firm's International Dispute Resolution Group, as well as the firm's Public International Law Group. In these roles, she uses her global platform to expand opportunities for female practitioners. Her contributions to women's professional advancement span several key areas including championing the firm's initiatives to support and expand female leadership in law.
In a career spanning more than two decades, Ms Amirfar has represented states, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and multinational companies from around the world.
Among many leadership roles, as President of the American Society of International Law (2020-2022), she focused on building a more inclusive community by integrating women into key leadership panels, ensuring equal representation and opening doors for younger generations of female international lawyers.
The Award was also given for Ms Amirfar's demonstrable leadership since 2021 as Deputy Co-Chair of the IBA's High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom - an independent body established in July 2019 to provide advice to countries that are members of the Media Freedom Coalition . As part of her work in this field, she collaborated with the Clooney Foundation for Justice on a number of high-profile cases regarding unlawfully imprisoned journalists.
On 25 June 2026, the Award was presented to Ms Amirfar by Ileana Glodeanu (pictured on the podium with Ms Amirfar), Scholarship Officer of the IBA Women Lawyers' Committee , during the 11th World Women Lawyers' Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal.
