Yet another milestone for Nagavalli in legal field

KUALA LUMPUR: Nagavalli Annamalai who was called to the Malaysian Bar last Friday at the age of 60 has come a long way in life, from a rubber tapper's daughter to the former lead counsel for the World Bank in Washington D.C.

She comes from a family of 10 siblings from Tanjong Malim, Perak who once lived in poverty, and lost her father at 14. She never gave up in her life and instead persevered to see many fine accomplishments in her later years through her academic excellence.

Nagavalli won a Bank Negara scholarship to study law in University Malaya in 1981 and began her legal career at the central bank. She then furthered her studies at Harvard Law School in the United States in 1992 and continued her legal career with the World Bank.

She spent 22 years serving the World Bank in various capacities and worked in more than 60 countries throughout her tenure before quitting in 2020 as the Lead Counsel for Financial Sector.

Law has always been important to Nagavalli. She believes that good laws, effective administration of laws and upholding the rule of law is essential for the well being, reputation and honour of a nation and society.

Altruism was an innate part of Nagavalli, where she used her educational achievements and station in life to do voluntary work and help out her siblings and the extended family.

"I hope my life has also provided some motivation and inspiration to the younger ones in the family and the extended family.

"It is unfortunate that my father passed away when I was 14, and thus I was not able to do much for him. I am so glad I could at least look after my mother," said the lawyer.

And for the society, Nagavalli believes now as an advocate she could contribute more towards pro bono activities in the legal field related to refugees, illegal immigrants and the disenfranchised communities in Malaysia.

"We belong to this beautiful place called earth... humanity regardless of race, religion and nationality are entitled to equal application, protection and benefit of laws and its just administration. I will, moving forward, reach out and render my services as needed," she said.

"Mentoring, teaching and contributing knowledge to regulators and consumers in the area of the financial sector also piques my interest," she told Bernama after being admitted to the bar.

Nagavalli, who took early retirement from the World Bank, returned to her residence in Petaling Jaya, Selangor to take care of her aging mother.

The lockdown in view of COVID-19 did not permit her to fully explore the legal areas that she could engage in and contribute to meaningfully.

"So I did my chambering to "complete the legal training" so to speak," she said, adding that she has always admired the Malaysian Bar for its conviction, consistency and contribution to the country.

"Thus, it is a privilege and honour to be called to the Bar and to belong to the legal community under the aegis of the Bar.

"Being called to the Bar is also a doorway to a menu of legal areas that I can indulge in," she added.

Nagavalli's live story and achievements are truly remarkable and could serve as an inspiration for the betterment of society.

-- BERNAMA