Headquarters – Taunggyi
Miriam Chinnappa – Country Director
Miriam Chinnappa is an international Justice Expert. Her career in international justice development and reform stems from her years of law practice in criminal and civil courts in India. She awarded the British Chevening Human Rights scholarship where she specialised in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law. Miriam has over seventeen years experience in policy and program development providing leadership and strategic guidance to the implementation of large-scale justice programmes. She has worked for and with international institutions, the United Nations, international NGOs, civil society organisations, bar associations, the judiciary, law institutions and social justice movements in Myanmar, South Sudan, Indonesia, Nepal, Zambia, Kosovo, India and Afghanistan.
Her expertise includes strengthening rule of Law institutions and the CSOs role in advancing and improving justice delivery outcomes, strengthening access to Justice and legal aid mechanisms, gender equality, juvenile justice and SGBV. She has developed initiatives that has sought to harness digitalisation and technology that is inclusive and involves the broad engagement of the community and legal and judicial institutions.
Miriam is retained as the Country Director of International Bridges of Justice to steer forward the Justice Centres project in Myanmar.
Keith Peterson, Chief of Security, Strategy and Training
Keith Peterson has served as both an elected district attorney and a criminal defense attorney in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He has extensive experience with criminal justice both as a trial and appellate lawyer. He began working internationally in 2005 as an assistant attorney general in the Justice Department in the Federated States of Micronesia, and later as legal counsel advising on public land issues in the Republic of Palau. He served as a criminal law specialist with a legal system development program funded by the U.S. Depart of State in Armenia, where he trained public defenders and worked on the development of the public defender system and the Armenian Chamber of Advocates. He worked with a program funded by the State Department in Liberia, where organized and conducted training programs for prosecutors, public defenders, police, and correctional officers. He was a consultant for the Government of Guyana on a criminal justice project studying drug prosecution. He began his work with IBJ in 2021 and has divided his time between training the lawyers in the Myanmar program and advising on administrative and security matters.
U Hla Ko – Board of Directors
U Hla Ko has extensive judicial experience. From 1967 to 1975, he served in the roles of an Additional Township Magistrate, Township Judge and Magistrate and Judicial Officer. From 1976 to 1982, he was a Higher Grade Pleader, and in 1982, he served as a Supreme Court advocate. From 1995 to 2002, he was the Vice President of the Myanmar Anti-Narcotic Association for the Mandalay Region. He was also the President of the Mandalay Bar Association from 2010 to 2012, and is now a patron of Mandalay Bar Association and also a chairman of the Myanmar Legal Aid Network.
Mr. Hla Ko founded the Mandalay Law Firm in 1998, which trains over 300 Higher Grade Pleaders and aims to develop capacity for young lawyers. The Mandalay Law Firm also provides a legal consultancy service. He has also published several works, including books on the Applied Court Fee Act and Suit Valuation Act, the applied Limitation Act, Gambling Law, a Digest of Myanmar Rulings (Criminal and Civil, 1986-1995), and the Law related to foreigners and immigration.
Currently, U Hla Ko is a member of the Union Rule of Law center and Justice Sector Affair Coordinating Board and is helping IBJ as a Senior Legal Advisor in Myanmar.
Daw Khin Moe Moe – National Senior Legal Advisor
Daw Khin Moe Moe was inspired to become a lawyer from watching movies. When she finished her matriculation in 1970, she went to Yangon Art and Science University to study law. In 1975 she received her Bachelor of Laws.
Between 1976 and 1983, she worked as a judicial officer in Yangon, Mandalay and Shan state. In 2007, she established Peace and Justice Law Firm and she worked tirelessly to help ethnic minorities, poor people and political prisoners receive legal help and advice without any charge. In 2013, the firm was upgraded to a legal aid center where she has supervised seven advocates, fourteen senior lawyers to help people in need from Yangon division, Bago division, Karen state and Shan state. In addition to her legal practice, Daw Khin Moe Moe has been working as a secretary of Independent Myanmar Lawyers organization and as a chief officer of Committee of Women Lawyers Organization.
U Ye Thant Zin, Senior Finance Manager
U Ye Thant Zin is an accounting graduate (B.Com:) since 1994 from the Institute of Economics, Yangon. He has been progressively working in I/NGO sector since 2008. U Ye Thant Zin pursued Master of Development Studies in 2007 and completed course works in 2008.
Ma May Mon Kyaw Kyaw, Office Manager
May Mon has a degree in Information Technology. Her passion to work for IBJ comes from her strong belief in equality and social justice. She has particular interest in humanitarian jobs and is also supporting women empowerment projects in Shan state region.
Kyi Thawtar Suu, Country Program Manager
Kyi received her Master of Laws (Civil Law) from University of Mandalay in 2018. Kyi also has extended international experience as an Erasmus Exchange student studying Comparative Legal History, Contemporary Jurisprudence, EU Administrative Law in Uppsala University, Sweden from August 2017 to January 2018. Kyi also performed as a field researcher in Civil Documentation Research Project in Mandalay Region in collaboration with The Raoul Wallenberg Institute (‘RWI’) (Lund University, Sweden) and University of Mandalay, Myanmar. Kyi contributed to the Rule of Law Handbook for CSOs in Myanmar project organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Myanmar. Kyi joined IBJbecause she is eager to dedicate her efforts in the work of access to justice and rule of law sector in Myanmar.
Daw Khin Myat
Thu , Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Ma Thu received her Master in Physics in 1999 from University of Taunggyi. Community Management Course (Thailand) in 2011. She has had 5 years of office administration and finance in UNDP and UNCHS from 2000 to 2005. She worked as Technical Specialist/Field Coordinator in UNDP focusing in planning, implementation, monitoring, coordinating and facilitating trainings in Integrated Community Development Project run by UNDP in Shan State between 2005 to 2013. She also worked as liaison and coordination with Government agencies and ethnic groups and working with multidisciplinary and multicultural team in Norwegian Refugee Commission NRC. From June 2014 to February 2019. She joined IBJ Myanmar in April 2019 performing as National Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. She is interested in working with IBJ because the project provides legal assistance to poor and vulnerable people and has a strong anti-corruption policy.
Daw Su Thwe Phyo, Finance and Administrative Officer
Su graduated her B.A (Economics) in 2006 and she continued fulfilling her accounting skills till 2016. She has been working in finance and accounting area since 2009. She worked in Pact Global Microfinance Fund Institute from 2009 to 2017. She worked as a Rural Finance Facilitator in Fostering Agricultural Revitalization between 2017 and 2018. She joined IBJ Myanmar in 2019 as Finance and Administrative Officer to have a good opportunity to participate in IBJ’s activities and knowledge and also to input her best finance and accounting expertise.
Myat Thinzar Kyaw, Legal Coordinator
Myat is a recent LL.B graduate from University of Mandalay. Having competed in several moot court competitions such as ICRC Moot and Vis Moot, Myat has experience in doing legal research and performing oral advocacy. From February 2018 to June 2018, Myat went to Italy as an Erasmus+ Exchange student to study at University of Pavia. The Human Rights and International Criminal Justice course and the study visit to ICJ and ICC inspired Myat to stand up for the rights of others. That inspiration led Myat to join IBJ. Working as a legal interpreter and researcher gives Myat a golden opportunity to work with local lawyers understanding their challenges and helping them in their case work through research.
Taunggyi Justice Centre
Daw Khin Moe Moe Aye, Senior Lawyer
After matriculation, Daw Khin Moe Moe Aye went to study her Bachelor of Laws in Taunggyi. In 1995, during her third year at the university, she traveled to live and work Singapore. She lived in Singapore for ten years. In 2007, Khin Moe Moe Aye return to Myanmar and started working for a chambers in Taunggyi. In 2017, she received her advocate license and started working as a part of a lawyers network to provide legal aid training to people throughout her region and around Taunggyi.
U Thet Naing Tun, Junior Lawyer
U Thet Naing Tun received his L.L.B from Taunggyi University in 2014 and he became a Higher Grade Pleader in 2016. Thet has huge interest in criminal law and he believes that he could learn a lot more about international aspects of law by joining IBJ. Thet wants to apply his legal knowledge and experience in promoting access to justice for the people in Myanmar.
Daw May Phyo Eain, Junior Lawyer
May Phyo Eain is a devoted lawyer committed to bringing justice to those she represents. She is eager to share her legal knowledge to those who do not have access to legal aid. She is proud to be a lawyer and is quite excited to contribute her skills and knowledge in the work of IBJ. She participated in 2019 Asia Pro Bono Conference held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Daw Thwe Hnin Aye – Admin and Finance Officer
Daw Thwe Hnin Aye has a degree in Maths and a diploma in Accounting. She also has a certificate in Management Accounting and has more than 4 years experience in Admin and Finance Field. She also has expertise in computerized accounting and internal and external auditing. In her free time, Thwe loves to do community work since she believes that she could bring positive changes to the community.
Khun Than Htoo, Program Officer
Khun Than Htoo received L.L.B. from Taunggyi University in 2014 and became a Higher Grade Pleader in 2016. He studied law at the university because he wanted to help people who are facing criminal charges and cannot afford a lawyer’s representation.
Khum Than Htoo believes that he could learn a lot more about international aspects of law and can effectively help poor people in the community by joining IBJ.
U K
hun Nway Oo, Intake Lawyer
Khun Nway Oo achieved his L.L.B in 2012 from Taunggyi University.
Since July 2017, he has been practicing law as a chamber student and starting from July 1, 2018, Khun is working as a parlegal at Taunggyi Justice Centre. Khun is excited to join IBJ and contribute his expertise as a paralegal, believing that he can bring a positivie change to criminal justice system in Myanmar.
Mandalay Justice Centre
Between 2004 and 2008, Daw Win Nandar Htut Khaung studied law at Mandalay Yatanapon University. Win Nandar has been awarded a Diploma in Business Law (2010) and International Law (2012), both from Mandalay Yatanapon University. In October 2010 she received her law license. After working as a Higher Grade Pleader for three years, Win Nandar received her advocate license. Between 2010 and 2013 Win Nandar worked for Nyein Law Firm under the Chamber Master U Thein Than Oo. While working under the guidance of U Thein Than Oo, Win Nander was able to strengthen her advocacy skills towards helping poor, vulnerable and marginalised people in Myanmar. A committed criminal defence lawyer, Win Nandar is dedicated to furthering IBJ’s mission in Mandalay and facilitating in the delivery of legal aid for accused persons.
Daw Myitzu Win, Junior Lawyer
After finishing the matriculation in 2003, Myintzu commenced her law studies at Mandalay Yatanapon University. In 2010, she finished her Master of Laws. Following on from her studies at university, in 2014 she received her Higher Grade Pleader license. Committed to furthering her skills as a lawyer, Myintzu continues to attend legal aid trainings and workshops. Additionally, Myintzu has gained legal experience working as part of the Rule of Law Centres pilot project in legal aid training and, along with other graduates of that training, founded Myanmar Justice (Pro Bono) Association. The Association’s main objective is to raise legal awareness among the public. She has experience as a trainer in civil society organizations(CSO). Myintzu is excited enthusiastic about working for IBJ, providing legal aid services to the poor and gaining an understanding of the operation structure of an
international organization.
U Win Min Aung, Junior Lawyer
U Win Min Aung got Higher-Grade Pleader license in 2010 and Advocate License in 2016. He practiced law in both criminal and civil field during over the 10 years since 2010 in Mandalay region and had constantly against corruption in justice system. He attended legal aid and defender trainings before he joined IBJ Mandalay Justice Center. The thing he values working with IBJ is that lawyers are working shoulders to shoulders defending defendants’ legal rights, pursuing early access and fair trial rights. He is proud to be part of IBJ Myanmar in the journey.
Than Kyaw Htut, Program Officer
Than Kyaw Htut received Diploma in Electrical Power from Hmawbi Technology University in 2012 and Bachelor of Arts in English from Yangon University of Distance Education in 2016. He has extensive experience working in event management, advertising and marketing sector from 2012 to 2018. Than Kyaw Htut is excited to apply his communication skills and event management expertise as a program officer in IBJ.
Daw Su Lwin Myint, Intake Lawyer
Daw Su Lwin Myint wanted to become a teacher when she was younger but later decided to study her Bachelor of Laws at university. As she came to know more about the law, she realized that being accused does not necessarily mean being guilty and that accused people have also should have the right to defend themselves. Her determination to bring justice for the whole community drives her to become a more skilled lawyer.
In 2012, she completed her Bachelor of Laws from University of Distance Education Mandalay and in 2014, she attended a diploma courses in Business Management at Mandalay University. In 2016, received her Higher Grade Pleader license from the Supreme Court of Myanmar. To further her advocacy skills, Su Lwin Myint has attended a number of workshops and trainings on legal aid service and legal skill.
Su Lwin Myint gets satisfaction from bringing justice and fairness to the people involved in cases that she handles. She is frustrated by the lack of transparency in justice sector. Her personal life has a big influence on her job and she believes that working together with IBJ will offer her a valuable experience to enable her to being a better lawyer.
Daw Thin Yu Zaw – Admin and Finance OfficerDaw Thin Yu Zaw has a Bachelor of Economics and a certificate in accounting. With over 4 years experience working as an accountant at different organizations, Thin is confident to take the responsibility as an Admin and Finance Officer at Mandalay Justice Center. Thin is excited to contribute her skills and knowledge in the work of IBJ.
Taungoo Justice Centre
Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin, Senior Lawyer
Daw Kyu Kyu graduated from Taungoo University in 2006 with a Bachelor of laws. She has also obtained diplomas from Yangon University. She began working for the Taungoo Bar Association in 2008 alongside practicing as a lawyer. She worked as a High Grade Pleader for six years before receiving her advocate licence in 2014. Since then Kyu Kyu has been working as an advocate in Taungoo.
Daw Naw Valentina, Junior Lawyer
Naw Valentina ventured into law with the encouragement of her father. In 2010, she received her Bachelor degree in law. In 2013, she received her Higher-Grade Pleader license and has been working under the supervision of a chamber master. Now, she has received her Advocate license and she is participating as a key to early access for Taungoo Justice Center.
U Soe Moe Aung, Paralegal
U Soe Moe Aung is an advocate and has joined IBJ Myanmar as a pro bono lawyer in Taungoo and he proactively cooperated with the JC lawyers in good practice such as field investigation in cases, seeking good defence theory, and he also attended lawyer trainings and COP meetings. In September 2020, he was recruited as a paralegal in Taungoo Justice Center.
Chan Mya Aung, Program Officer
Chan Myae Aung passed his matriculation in 2008. He has certificate in Electrical Communications and a degree in Physics. Chan Myae has experience as a seafarer on a tanker ship for 13 months. Chan Myae worked as Admin and Finance Officer of Nay Pyi Taw Justice Centre for 2 years. Joining in IBJ Myanmar, he is passionate about helping poor people who are facing a lawsuit and cannot afford a lawyer. Therefore, he has changed his career to become a Program Officer in Taungoo his native town in late 2019, to have more engagement with the community by organizing “Know Your Rights” events, client’s survey and other programmatic works.
Daw Khin Ma Ma Win, Finance and Office Administrator
Daw Khin Ma Ma Win did her Bachelor in Business Management and has seven years of experience in accounting and administration. She is grateful to be part of IBJ and working as part of a team to provide a helping hand to vulnerable citizens in Myanmar who would otherwise will not have access to the legal aid. She believes that she can learn and grow together with IBJ.
Hpa-An Justice Centre
U San Kyi, Senior Lawyer
U San Kyi’s father was a military officer and thus, he has always been inspired by his father to serve his country. In 1979, he passed his matriculation in Min Buu and went onto study law. For over 16 years, U San Kyi worked as a township legal officer in Mawlamyine. In 2014, was been promoted to District Legal Officer of Yangon East District legal office. He retired his position in April 2017 to pursue a career as a criminal defence lawyer. Coincidently, in June 2017 IBJ were recruiting in Hpa-An and U San Kyi thought it was his mission to be part of IBJ and help defendants to get access to legal aid services as well as provide provide legal training to the community.
Daw Yu Yu Win, Junior Lawyer
Yu Yu started her legal profession since 2013 as a Higher-Grade Pleader. She worked as a member of legal research in Kayin State Parliament Legal Committee for 2 years from 2015 to 2017. She joined IBJ in late 2019. She was inspired to work with IBJ because of IBJ’s strict anti-corruption policy and she wanted to be part of the defender’s movement along with IBJ.
Lwin Lwin Maw is the new paralegal, joining Hpa-An team, starting from September 2018. She received her Bachelor of Law (L.L.B.) from Hpa-An Univeristy in 2017. She is now chambering to receive Higher Grade Pleader license and her ambition is to become a successful lawyer one day. Lwin Lwin Maw is very excited to be a part of IBJ’s public defenders network since she wants to help achieve basic legal rights for the poor society.
Saw Htet Lin Htoo, Program Officer
Saw Htet Lin Htoo has a Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree from Yangon University of Distance Education (Hpa-An Department). He worked as a Senior Associate at Myanmar Apex Bank in Hpa-An from 2016 to 2018. He wanted to pursue his career in Non-Profit sector since he would like to help people. By joining IBJ, he aims to promote legal education and access to justice for communities in Kayin state.
Daw Wai Wai Khine – Admin and Finance OfficerDaw Wai Wai Khine is the Admin and Finance Officer of Hpa-An Justice Center. She graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Economics(Statistics) in 2014 and had extensive experience as a Senior Fianance Assistant at CB Bank Myanmar. She decided to join IBJ since she wants to help the citizens of Myanmar who do not have any legal knowledge and have been charged with criminal offence.
Naypyitaw Justice Centre
Wint Wint
Aye, Lawyer
Wint Wint Aye received her LLB in 2007 and she became an advocate in April, 2017. Since then, she has been providing legal representation to the communities in Bago region and Mandalay region. Her passion to join IBJ comes from her faith in fighting against corruption and bringing fairness and justice to the accused who would otherwise cannot afford a lawyer. She is also enthusiastic to take part in promoting early acccess to legal aids by the general public.
U Aung Myo Aye
Aung finished law school in 2005 and received his Higher-Grade Pleader license in 2006. He became an advocate in 2013. He worked as a Central Committee member of ILAM (Nay Pyi Taw).
Khin Thandar Myo, Intake Lawyer
Khin graduated her law degree in 2017 and joined IBJ Myanmar in May 2019 as an intake lawyer. She is a Higher-Grade Pleader and a fresh young female lawyer. She has actively performed for early representation for the accused.
Cho Nyein Htwe, Admin and Finance Officer
Cho Nyein Htwe graduated from Taunggyi University in 2004 with a specialization in Biology. She has extended experience in operating grocery stores, managing hosptial records and budgeting. Cho used to be the Admin and Finance Officer in Kalaw justice center until November 2019 and she moved to serve in Nay Pyi Taw Justice Center as the Admin and Finance Officer.
U Yin Min Htoo, Program Officer
Yin Min Htoo finished his law school in 2018 and started working as an assistance office staff in Education Department, while volunteering in a youth association in the region as a leader focusing on blood donation. He has submitted his chamber license application in 2019. He always wanted to dedicate his best effort for the community. He believes that joining IBJ Myanmar would give him opportunity to help the community and he can also continue his legal professional career.