Michelle Woodworth
Director
Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards
Awarded “Family & Matrimonial Practice Lawyer of the Year” in Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022
Awarded “Adviser of the Year” for Family & Matrimonial Practice in Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2023
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Ranked as a “Litigation Star” for Family and Matrimonial in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025
Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC ranked as a Tier 1 law firm for Family and Matrimonial in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025
Doyles Guide
Doyles Guide under Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer Rankings in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 2024
The Straits Times – Singapore’s Best Law Firms
The Straits Times – Singapore’s Best Law Firms Surveys as one of the Best Law Firms 2023 and 2024 for Family Law
“I chose to engage Michelle because of her distinguished background as a former Family Court judge. Having followed her career and recognising her talent and commitment in the cases she conducted, I had the assurance and confidence that she and her team would handle my matter with the utmost professionalism. My 28-year marriage was marked by abuse, adultery, and a complete lack of family commitment from my ex-spouse, both emotionally and financially. Approaching Michelle was the best decision I made, she helped me get my life back. Throughout this difficult process, Michelle and her team provided excellent service and professional guidance. Their support was invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for their expertise, empathy, and dedication in navigating me through what seemed like an impossible situation. I would not hesitate to recommend Michelle and her team to anyone facing similar circumstances. [2 December 2025]”
“Thank you once again for the invaluable support you and your team at QWP provided during the early stages of my PPO proceedings. The affidavit you prepared and the strength of your submissions ultimately led to a successful outcome. I want you to know how deeply grateful I remain for your early belief in me and for the generosity that allowed me to carry through one of the most difficult chapters of my life. You bring a balance of clarity and empathy to sensitive cases. (October 2025)”
“I am most grateful for the attention, empathy and professionalism with which my case was handled by Michelle and her legal team at QWP. Her experience and calm, strategic legal approach brought much needed clarity and order into my life, during a time of turmoil, uncertainty and vulnerability. With her navigating a clear path for me through a dense forest of unexpected, contentious issues launched by my ex-partner, I was able to achieve a fair and balanced divorce without having to go through a long, drawn out contested divorce court procedure. (September 2024)”
Michelle contributed to the December 2022 edition of Expat Living Singapore on the topic of “Getting divorced in Singapore for expats” where she touched on the area “Family violence”. (Article can be viewed here). In October 2022, Michelle Woodworth, spoke with At The Vanguard. She shared her life’s work and calling in the law, and how she helps families with The Community Justice Centre through their various projects. (Article can be viewed here)
Family Lawyer
Michelle previously served as a District Judge at the Family and Juvenile Justice Division (now the Family Justice Courts) before returning to private practice. With over 27 years of experience in Family Law & Dispute Resolution, Michelle has a passion for the welfare of children. She is certified as a Collaborative Family Law Practitioner, a Court Appointed Child Representative and Parenting Coordinator. Her dedication to Family Law practice enables Michelle to assist husbands, wives and families reconstruct their lives when relationships break down; one child, one family, one day at a time.
Mediator
Michelle, an industry expert, has been mediating for over 15 years. She is the first Singaporean woman appointed as Certified Mediator under the International Mediation Institute and has an over 90% mediation settlement rate. She is a Principal Mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre under the Family and Healthcare Panels. Michelle has undergone extensive mediation training including cross border and child focused courses, and mediating litigated cases.
Therapeutic Justice
Michelle is committed to Therapeutic Justice and has been awarded a Certificate of Attainment for successful completion of the Family Therapeutic Justice Certification Programme under the Singapore Academy of Law.
Among client commendations:
“Michelle goes the extra mile. I had to reach out to her while working overseas. Though telcon was our mode of communication, I always felt like she was just next door. Her reassuring advice helped me build my mental strength. Michelle thinks one step ahead and ensured our proposals were future-ready. 20 years on, I am still benefiting from what she did for me. Her genuineness to uplift the community around her, to always extend help, can be clearly seen by the fact that my daughter chose to pursue a similar career path.”
“Michelle’s ability is to very well understand the emotions running with all parties and manage the situation professionally without provoking or hurting the other party, essential for the wellbeing of the children involved in any divorce case, and to move on with co-parenting once the case is over.”
Appointments:
- Principal Mediator, Singapore Mediation Centre
- IMI Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute (Profile can be viewed here)
- SIMI Certified Mediator, Singapore International Mediation Institute
- Senior Mediator, Law Society Mediation Scheme
- Collaborative Family Practitioner, Singapore Mediation Centre
- Volunteer Mediator, Family Justice Courts
- Volunteer Mediator, Syariah Court of Singapore
- Court-Appointed Child Representative, Family Justice Courts
- Parenting Coordinator, Family Justice Courts
- Co-Chairperson, Law Society of Singapore Family Law Practice Committee 2016-2019
- Member, Advisory Committee, Professional Conduct Council
- Primary Justice Lawyer & Working Committee Member, Community Justice Centre
- Panel Lawyer, Family Justice Support Scheme
- Consultant, Editorial Board for Family Law, Lexis Nexis
- Member, Multi-Disciplinary Team, PAVE
- Doyles Leading Family Lawyer 2017
- Doyles Recommended Family Lawyer 2018
- Committee Member, SG75
- Deputy Chairperson, Civil Legal Aid Means Test Panel
Contributions:
- Member, Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms in the Family Justice System, 2018
- Member, Selection Panel for Law Programmes, Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Member, Committee for Family Justice, Subcommittee on Profession, 2013
- Working Group Member, Committee drafting the new Professional Conduct Rules under the Legal Profession Act, 2012 to 2013
- Working Committee Member, Primary Justice Project, Community Justice Centre
- Tutor for the Preparatory Course Leading to Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations
- Participation in the Video Production of Child Court Proceedings, 2009
- Volunteer at Family Law Legal Clinics
- Moderator, Family Justice Practice Forum, 2 October 2018
- Speaker, Litigation Conference, 2017
- Speaker, Recent Developments in Law and Practice in the UK and Singapore, 22 to 23 September 2016
- Speaker, International Family Law Conference, The Future of Family Justice – International and Multi-Disciplinary Pathways, 29 to 30 September 2016
- Moderator, Plenary Session, the Law Society’s Mediation Symposium, 20 May 2016
- Speaker, Introduction to the International Child Abduction Act, the Law Society’s Family Law Practice Seminars Series 2, 14 May 2015
- Speaker, the Law Society of Singapore’s Annual CPD Day, 2014
- Speaker, Legal Practice Skills Development Seminar Series (Family Law)on “Divorce Proceedings in General”, Subordinate Courts, 18 May 2010
- Member, Organising Committee, and Co-emcee at the Children & the Law Conference, jointly organised by LawAsia and the Law Society of Singapore, 21 to 23 May 2009
- Speaker, the Law Society of Singapore’s Seminar on Cross Border Issues on Children: Parental Abduction and Parental Relocation, 6 November 2008
- Author of chapter on custody, care and control and access of children in a book launched in May 2005 entitled “The Art of Family Lawyering”
- Editor, 2nd edition of “The Art of Family Lawyering”launched in January 2013
- Contributor, Special Edition of “The Art of Family Lawyering” launched in January 2019
- Chairperson, Organising Committee, Family Conference 2018 (inaugural) and 2019, developing the theme “Supporting, Healing and Reconstructing” (“Share”); one child, one family, one day at a time.
MORE ABOUT MICHELLE WOODWORTH
MEMBERSHIPS & ASSOCIATIONS
- Member, Law Society of Singapore
- Member, Singapore Academy of Law
- Member, Law Society of New South Wales
- Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
PRACTICE AREAS
- Divorce & Family Matters
- Pre-Nuptial Agreements
- Deeds of Separation
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Mediation
- Wills & Probate
Michelle Woodworth
Director
Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards
Awarded “Family & Matrimonial Practice Lawyer of the Year” in Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022
Awarded “Adviser of the Year” for Family & Matrimonial Practice in Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2023
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Ranked as a “Litigation Star” for Family and Matrimonial in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025
Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC ranked as a Tier 1 law firm for Family and Matrimonial in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025
Doyles Guide
Doyles Guide under Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer Rankings in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 2024
The Straits Times – Singapore’s Best Law Firms
The Straits Times – Singapore’s Best Law Firms Surveys as one of the Best Law Firms 2023 and 2024 for Family Law
“I chose to engage Michelle because of her distinguished background as a former Family Court judge. Having followed her career and recognising her talent and commitment in the cases she conducted, I had the assurance and confidence that she and her team would handle my matter with the utmost professionalism. My 28-year marriage was marked by abuse, adultery, and a complete lack of family commitment from my ex-spouse, both emotionally and financially. Approaching Michelle was the best decision I made, she helped me get my life back. Throughout this difficult process, Michelle and her team provided excellent service and professional guidance. Their support was invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for their expertise, empathy, and dedication in navigating me through what seemed like an impossible situation. I would not hesitate to recommend Michelle and her team to anyone facing similar circumstances. [2 December 2025]”
“Thank you once again for the invaluable support you and your team at QWP provided during the early stages of my PPO proceedings. The affidavit you prepared and the strength of your submissions ultimately led to a successful outcome. I want you to know how deeply grateful I remain for your early belief in me and for the generosity that allowed me to carry through one of the most difficult chapters of my life. You bring a balance of clarity and empathy to sensitive cases. (October 2025)”
“I am most grateful for the attention, empathy and professionalism with which my case was handled by Michelle and her legal team at QWP. Her experience and calm, strategic legal approach brought much needed clarity and order into my life, during a time of turmoil, uncertainty and vulnerability. With her navigating a clear path for me through a dense forest of unexpected, contentious issues launched by my ex-partner, I was able to achieve a fair and balanced divorce without having to go through a long, drawn out contested divorce court procedure. (September 2024)”
Michelle contributed to the December 2022 edition of Expat Living Singapore on the topic of “Getting divorced in Singapore for expats” where she touched on the area “Family violence”. (Article can be viewed here). In October 2022, Michelle Woodworth, spoke with At The Vanguard. She shared her life’s work and calling in the law, and how she helps families with The Community Justice Centre through their various projects. (Article can be viewed here)
Family Lawyer
Michelle previously served as a District Judge at the Family and Juvenile Justice Division (now the Family Justice Courts) before returning to private practice. With over 27 years of experience in Family Law & Dispute Resolution, Michelle has a passion for the welfare of children. She is certified as a Collaborative Family Law Practitioner, a Court Appointed Child Representative and Parenting Coordinator. Her dedication to Family Law practice enables Michelle to assist husbands, wives and families reconstruct their lives when relationships break down; one child, one family, one day at a time.
Mediator
Michelle, an industry expert, has been mediating for over 15 years. She is the first Singaporean woman appointed as Certified Mediator under the International Mediation Institute and has an over 90% mediation settlement rate. She is a Principal Mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre under the Family and Healthcare Panels. Michelle has undergone extensive mediation training including cross border and child focused courses, and mediating litigated cases.
Therapeutic Justice
Michelle is committed to Therapeutic Justice and has been awarded a Certificate of Attainment for successful completion of the Family Therapeutic Justice Certification Programme under the Singapore Academy of Law.
Among client commendations:
“Michelle goes the extra mile. I had to reach out to her while working overseas. Though telcon was our mode of communication, I always felt like she was just next door. Her reassuring advice helped me build my mental strength. Michelle thinks one step ahead and ensured our proposals were future-ready. 20 years on, I am still benefiting from what she did for me. Her genuineness to uplift the community around her, to always extend help, can be clearly seen by the fact that my daughter chose to pursue a similar career path.”
“Michelle’s ability is to very well understand the emotions running with all parties and manage the situation professionally without provoking or hurting the other party, essential for the wellbeing of the children involved in any divorce case, and to move on with co-parenting once the case is over.”
Appointments:
- Principal Mediator, Singapore Mediation Centre
- IMI Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute (Profile can be viewed here)
- SIMI Certified Mediator, Singapore International Mediation Institute
- Senior Mediator, Law Society Mediation Scheme
- Collaborative Family Practitioner, Singapore Mediation Centre
- Volunteer Mediator, Family Justice Courts
- Volunteer Mediator, Syariah Court of Singapore
- Court-Appointed Child Representative, Family Justice Courts
- Parenting Coordinator, Family Justice Courts
- Co-Chairperson, Law Society of Singapore Family Law Practice Committee 2016-2019
- Member, Advisory Committee, Professional Conduct Council
- Primary Justice Lawyer & Working Committee Member, Community Justice Centre
- Panel Lawyer, Family Justice Support Scheme
- Consultant, Editorial Board for Family Law, Lexis Nexis
- Member, Multi-Disciplinary Team, PAVE
- Doyles Leading Family Lawyer 2017
- Doyles Recommended Family Lawyer 2018
- Committee Member, SG75
- Deputy Chairperson, Civil Legal Aid Means Test Panel
Contributions:
- Member, Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms in the Family Justice System, 2018
- Member, Selection Panel for Law Programmes, Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Member, Committee for Family Justice, Subcommittee on Profession, 2013
- Working Group Member, Committee drafting the new Professional Conduct Rules under the Legal Profession Act, 2012 to 2013
- Working Committee Member, Primary Justice Project, Community Justice Centre
- Tutor for the Preparatory Course Leading to Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations
- Participation in the Video Production of Child Court Proceedings, 2009
- Volunteer at Family Law Legal Clinics
- Moderator, Family Justice Practice Forum, 2 October 2018
- Speaker, Litigation Conference, 2017
- Speaker, Recent Developments in Law and Practice in the UK and Singapore, 22 to 23 September 2016
- Speaker, International Family Law Conference, The Future of Family Justice – International and Multi-Disciplinary Pathways, 29 to 30 September 2016
- Moderator, Plenary Session, the Law Society’s Mediation Symposium, 20 May 2016
- Speaker, Introduction to the International Child Abduction Act, the Law Society’s Family Law Practice Seminars Series 2, 14 May 2015
- Speaker, the Law Society of Singapore’s Annual CPD Day, 2014
- Speaker, Legal Practice Skills Development Seminar Series (Family Law)on “Divorce Proceedings in General”, Subordinate Courts, 18 May 2010
- Member, Organising Committee, and Co-emcee at the Children & the Law Conference, jointly organised by LawAsia and the Law Society of Singapore, 21 to 23 May 2009
- Speaker, the Law Society of Singapore’s Seminar on Cross Border Issues on Children: Parental Abduction and Parental Relocation, 6 November 2008
- Author of chapter on custody, care and control and access of children in a book launched in May 2005 entitled “The Art of Family Lawyering”
- Editor, 2nd edition of “The Art of Family Lawyering”launched in January 2013
- Contributor, Special Edition of “The Art of Family Lawyering” launched in January 2019
- Chairperson, Organising Committee, Family Conference 2018 (inaugural) and 2019, developing the theme “Supporting, Healing and Reconstructing” (“Share”); one child, one family, one day at a time.
MORE ABOUT MICHELLE WOODWORTH
MEMBERSHIPS & ASSOCIATIONS
- Member, Law Society of Singapore
- Member, Singapore Academy of Law
- Member, Law Society of New South Wales
- Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
PRACTICE AREAS
- Divorce & Family Matters
- Pre-Nuptial Agreements
- Deeds of Separation
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Mediation
- Wills & Probate