Leeds student wins Law Student of the Year at Inspirational Women in Law Awards!

We are thrilled that one of our School of Law undergraduates has won 'Law Student of the Year' at the 2025 Inspirational Women in Law Awards.

Misha Salehuddin, current President of our Women Breaking Barriers student group, has been awarded Law Student of the Year at a ceremony for the Inspirational Women in Law Awards 2025 held on 4 November in DLA Piper, London. 

We are incredibly proud of Misha’s achievement. Her leadership, commitment to equity, and drive to create inclusive spaces within the legal community exemplify the values we hold at the School of Law. Misha’s recognition as Law Student of the Year is a testament to the impact our students can have both locally and globally.

Increasing equality in the Law 

Since 2016, the Inspirational Women in Law Awards has sought to celebrate women who are making an impact and driving equality across the legal profession.  

This Award recognises a "trailblazing law student who has shown true dedication to increasing equality in the Law alongside studying their course." 

Winners at the Inspirational Women in Law Awards 2025

Misha is an LLB student from Taylor’s University Malaysia. We spoke to Misha about her journey at Leeds, her achievements as part of the Women Breaking Barriers group, and her experience of studying abroad. 

Congratulations, Misha! Winning Law Student of the Year is an incredible achievement. What does this recognition mean to you personally, and how does it reflect your journey so far at Leeds? 

On 4 November, I had the immense honour of becoming the first Asian to receive the Law Student of the Year award at the Inspirational Women in Law Awards 2025. Even now, it feels surreal to stand in a room filled with women whose work has reshaped the legal landscape and to hear my name called among them. 

I’ve only started studying in Leeds a year ago. Coming from a family with zero legal background and being the first in the family to study in the UK, I had to find my footing entirely on my own. None of this would be possible without the daily support and sacrifices of my parents. 

As President of Women Breaking Barriers Leeds and President of the ALSA UK University of Leeds Local Chapter, I have worked to amplify voices that are too often overlooked and to build platforms where underrepresented students feel valued and empowered. To have that work recognised on this scale is deeply moving and affirms that resilience and representation truly matter. 

This year marks 125 years since women were first permitted to practise law in the UK, and in Malaysia, that milestone will only be reached in 2027. Just a single lifetime ago, women were still fighting for the right to even enter the profession. Winning this award isn’t just a personal triumph; it is a powerful reminder of the distance we’ve travelled, the barriers that have been broken, and the work that still lies ahead. 

Your work with Women Breaking Barriers has clearly made a powerful impact. What moments or initiatives have made you most proud during your time as President? 

I am extremely proud of our first event of the term, “Breaking Barriers in Qualification,” which brought together four inspiring women in law. The panel featured Esther Bukoye and Cheryl Forde from Park Square Chambers, as well as Francesca Bertolino and Toju Adelaja from Clifford Chance. 

They shared invaluable insights on the Bar, the SQE, securing pupillage and training contracts, and their experiences navigating the profession as women in law. We had a total of 30 students in attendance, all of whom actively engaged with the panel through questions and discussion. It was incredibly rewarding to see students leave the event with renewed motivation, practical guidance, and a stronger sense of belonging in the legal field. 

As an international student from Malaysia, your success is an inspiration to many. What advice would you give to other students who aspire to make a difference in the legal world while studying abroad? 

My advice to other students is to embrace your unique identity, seize every opportunity, and let your work and dedication speak for itself. 

Do not let anyone make you feel inferior because of who you are or where you come from. As a Malaysian, I have faced situations where I was treated differently simply because of my background. From the very beginning, I made it my goal to prove, first to myself and then to others, that I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. 

In just a year of studying in the UK, I have taken on leadership and ambassador roles across multiple organisations, including serving as Founder of the Asian Law Student Association, President of Women Breaking Barriers Leeds, Head of Campus Ambassadors for Legal Business Minds, and as a student ambassador for the Law School. These experiences have taught me that making a difference in the legal world starts with stepping forward, creating opportunities for yourself, and using your position to amplify the voices of others – showing that impact is possible no matter where you come from. 

Looking ahead, how do you hope to continue making an impact in the legal field – both in the UK and globally – as you move forward in your career? 

I hope to continue amplifying the voices of those who are often underestimated or overlooked because of their background or appearance. I plan to do this by identifying and developing initiatives, as well as working with organisations that support women and ethnic minorities, advocating for equity, representation, and inclusion throughout my legal career. 

At the School of Law we are incredibly proud of the contributions our international graduates make, many of whom go on to careers in legal practice, policy, advocacy, academia, and organisations across the globe.  

Inspired by Misha’s journey? 

Whether you're exploring undergraduate or postgraduate options, the University of Leeds School of Law offers a world-class legal education with a truly international perspective. 

Explore our programmes and start your journey with us today. 

Further information about Taylor’s University collaboration

The Law Schools of Taylor's University (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and the University of Leeds signed a collaboration agreement in April 2012, enabling first or second or year Malaysian students to complete their Law (LLB) degree at Leeds. 

Top image: Misha (centre) with Lucie Allen, former Managing Director of BARBRI (left) and Jodiann Gayle, last year’s Law Student of the Year winner, who also served on this year’s judging panel (right)