It is with deep sadness that ArbitralWomen shares the news of the passing of Karen Mills (5 May 1942 – 11 August 2025), a leading figure in arbitration in Asia, international arbitrator, and Partner at KarimSyah Law Firm in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Karen was a deeply valued member of the ArbitralWomen community. She was one of the Founding Members of ArbitralWomen and served as a Board Director on the first ArbitralWomen Board. She served on subsequent boards for several years, including as Executive Board Treasurer, Executive Editor, and a Director on the Mentorship, Moot, Kluwer Arbitration Blog, and Newsletter Committees. Karen was instrumental in supporting and contributing to ArbitralWomen’s Mentoring Programme and Moot Funding Programme — core aspects of ArbitralWomen’s mission that thrive today for the benefit of AW members and the next generation of ADR professionals. Thereafter, Karen remained dedicated and involved as a member of ArbitralWomen’s Advisory Board for the past five years. Karen was dearly loved by all who worked with her on the ArbitralWomen Board and her memory inspires all who knew here to give time generously to helping others.

ArbitralWomen Co-Founder Mireze Philippe shared: “ArbitralWomen lost a very important member of our community who contributed to bringing ArbitralWomen forward faithfully, steadily and with passion. She cared for the organisation as a person would care for an own child. Karen was available any time and for any project, drafting, revising, editing. She was an important contributor and editor to ArbitralWomen Newsletter. ArbitralWomen is mourning Karen, a great loss. Karen will be forever remembered by ArbitralWomen Board and Members, by colleagues and friends.”

ArbitralWomen Co-Founder Louise Barrington stated: “Most colleagues will remember Karen as one of Asia’s first and foremost arbitration practitioners, a teacher, coach and mentor. She was all of these, but for nearly 30 years Karen was a trusted confidante, professional cheerleader and my true and loyal friend.”

Karen is mourned by Board Directors who worked closely with her, members of the ArbitralWomen community, and members of the wider arbitration community, particularly in Asia where she was an active leader in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a longtime supporter of the VIS East Moot Foundation.

In keeping with local custom, Karen's funeral took place on Tuesday, 12 August and her remains are buried on her property in Bohul, outside Jakarta. If people wish to express their condolences, they may send messages to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. which should be active in a couple of days.