A young Bhutanese woman lawyer has made a mark in the international legal arena by passing the prestigious New York Bar Examination. Her achievement marks a milestone for the country’s legal education and highlights the growing international presence of legal professionals.
At a young age, Kuenley Lhaden Gyaltshen is making headlines far from home. Currently working as an international fellow at White & Case LLP, a global law firm in New York, she has achieved what few foreign-trained lawyers manage. She has passed the prestigious July 2025 New York Bar Examination.
A 2022 graduate of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law in Paro, Kuenley’s success marks a proud milestone for the country’s first law school.
Kuenley said, “When I decided to sit for the New York Bar Examination, I knew it was going to be extra hard as a foreign student. But I saw it as an opportunity to test my abilities and broaden my legal perspective. I may be the first to pass the bar from JSW Law, but definitely not the last.”
It is not the first time Kuenley has stood out. Her journey of excellence began the moment she walked into her admission interview at JSW School of Law.
“As she walked out of the selection interview hall in 2017, I remember remarking to my colleagues that this girl will shine one day. Ever since, she showed her potential, her confidence, her eloquence when she spoke, and her brain. It was definitely difficult to miss, and she definitely stood out for me,” said Sangay Dorjee, the Founding Dean, JSW School of Law.
She added that she knew two Bhutanese women who had previously passed the New York Bar, describing their achievements as truly inspiring. She said it was a remarkable accomplishment that reflected the calibre and potential of Bhutanese legal professionals and how the country’s legal community was beginning to make its mark on the international stage.
For her teachers and peers, Kuenley’s achievement is not just a personal milestone, but a moment of collective pride.
The Founding Dean said, “This is a big deal for both JSW Law and Bhutan, I would believe, because in recent history, Kuenley seems to be the only one who has passed the New York bar exam in the first instance.”
Kuenley also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Ivy League institutions in the United States.
She said, “This milestone shows that our legal education can stand shoulder to shoulder with those abroad. I want to gain international experience but ultimately contribute to strengthening Bhutan’s legal landscape.”
With the biggest hurdle cleared, Kuenley is now completing the remaining steps to be officially admitted to the New York Bar, where she will be able to represent clients in New York’s courts. Kuenley’s journey embodies the spirit of Bhutanese youth, driven, capable, and ready to take on the world.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sangay Chezom
