Breaking Barriers: Norton Rose Fulbright's Sue Ann Gan on navigating maritime law and pushing for inclusivity

With over two decades of experience, she advocates for systemic change, supports female talent through flexible work arrangements, and champions the next generation of women in the field.

Sue Ann Gan (pictured above), Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright, is a shipping lawyer in Singapore, specialising in maritime law. In a sector traditionally dominated by men, she is helping to shape a more inclusive future for women.

Sue Ann’s interest in maritime law started during her master's degree at University College London. While she always aspired to practise law, it was a teacher who connected students with industry professionals that opened her eyes to the practical side of maritime law, she tells Umairah Nasir. "It made me see how the theory interacted with the real world."

Having been brought up in a family of maritime professionals, stepping into this field felt like a natural choice. "I have now been in this amazing industry for about 20 years and haven’t looked back!"

In this interview, she talks about her journey in maritime law, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and her vision for a more inclusive future in the sector.

Facing challenges and driving change

While Sue Ann acknowledges that Singapore's meritocratic system provided her with career opportunities based on her abilities, she doesn't shy away from the fact that being a woman in the maritime industry comes with its own set of challenges.

"Overcoming gender-related challenges often requires personal resilience, support from peers and sponsors, and systemic change within organisations," she shares. One key takeaway for her is the importance of self-advocacy:

"You are your best advocate."

Building a strong network has also played a critical role in Sue Ann's career. "This comprises people who can champion for you, people who have your back and who can provide guidance and support when you need that," she explains.

"These are the ones who will cheer for you along the sidelines."

Informal opportunities where mentors shared their genuine personal experiences have also been a strong support system for her, offering valuable advice and fresh perspectives, while also allowing for a two-way exchange of ideas.

Pushing for gender equality in maritime law

Reflecting on gender equality in the maritime sector, Sue Ann acknowledges the progress that has been made over the years.

"Today, we see many successful women in maritime across the ecosystem, especially women in maritime law," she shares. That said, she notes that there is still work to be done.

"As a female in maritime law, we can all do our part so that we can create a better tomorrow for our daughters. Highlighting and promoting women role models in the maritime sector can inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in this field."

She continues: "Just like the saying, 'it takes a village to raise a child', it is equally important for women to have a support network in the workplace too. For me this means that within my organisation, I am advocating practices that can attract and retain female talent. It is one thing to enter the maritime industry, and we want people to stay in it.

"It is one thing to enter the maritime industry, and we want people to stay in it."

To this effect, she stresses the importance of implementing practices that support female talent, particularly by offering flexible work arrangements for working mothers, noting that such measures help them feel supported while caring for a young family, especially after returning from maternity leave. This flexibility could include options such as adjustable working hours or remote work.

Additionally, she highlights the value of serving as a role model for younger lawyers. Drawing from her own experience of having two children during her career, she is proud to have demonstrated that balancing both work and family is achievable. While the balance may not always be perfect, she believes it is not necessary to choose one over the other.

Looking ahead, Sue Ann hopes for a future where inclusion deeply is so ingrained in workplace culture that there’s no longer a need to spotlight women’s achievements.

Advice for young women: Build your solid network and stay adaptable

When it comes to advice for young women looking to break into maritime law or shipping finance, Sue Ann shared two key pieces of advice:

1. Build a strong network: Form and maintain meaningful connections and friendships within the industry. Networking, she believes, can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships.
2. Stay adaptable and resilient: With the maritime and finance sectors constantly evolving, she encourages women to remain open to learning and never grow complacent. To her, resilience and grit are crucial hence, believing in yourself and stepping out of comfort zones is often the only way to grow and stay competitive.

In that vein, if she could give her younger self a piece of advice, Sue Ann would sum it up with the 'taking R.I.S.K':

R for reset: "Just like how a computer needs a restart every now and then, it is important to reflect and reset priorities and goals every now and then."

I for being intentional: "Be specific as to what you want to achieve and how you will achieve that."

S for self-empowerment: "Do not simply talk about it or wait for someone to give you that power, do something about it now."

K for being kind to yourself: "Let go of perfection; recognise what you have achieved; celebrate success."

Beyond the law: A love for the ocean

Wrapping up the conversation, we ask Sue Ann about an alternative career choice she had in mind if not for her current one. "If I were not a shipping lawyer, I would have liked to be a marine biologist!

"I think it would have been fun to explore diverse environments like coral reefs and to be able to contribute towards conservation efforts."

Photo / Provided