Meet the Class: Nadzira Boenjamin, LLM ’25
Indonesian Finance Lawyer Focuses on Infrastructure
Nadzira Boenjamin, LLM ’25, joins the Law School this fall from Indonesia, where she has been working for the last five years in corporate finance. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia in 2016 with a degree in business law and most recently was an associate at an Indonesian law firm, where she handled major financing transactions for large-scale infrastructure projects. She is also a member of Baker & McKenzie International. Boenjamin is passionate about her career and aims to be a changemaker in her field. She is also a talented makeup artist and content creator with a large social media following. Boenjamin’s makeup pursuits provide a therapeutic creative outlet for her, she says, as she works hard to achieve her legal career goals.
Please describe your background and professional path.
Two years after graduating valedictorian from my university, I joined the financial services authority in Indonesia. In my head, I was convinced my path was set, my career ideal. I was determined to have first-hand experience on how policymakers draft regulations. However, despite my strong desire to learn new things, I realized that legislative drafting is a complex process, especially when I am not equipped with adequate knowledge and understanding of the business industry itself. I believe that in order to produce holistic regulations, drafters need to have certain experience and practice in the industry. With a strong desire to expand my arsenal, I saw corporate lawyering as a way to devote my career to the financing transaction field. I joined the finance and projects practice group at HHP law firm, which is known for its accolades in the banking and finance sectors.
What type of law do you practice in Indonesia?
For the past five years, I have embraced opportunities to represent my firm in big-scale cross-border financing transactions involving multiple banks, institutions, or corporations. Among all of those experiences, assisting project finance transactions of infrastructure projects in Indonesia was an eye-opening experience. I grew professionally as I assisted negotiations and discussions with various technical, financial, and market stakeholders to produce a holistic understanding of the project and incorporate those analyses into the documentation process, which is crucial in the implementation of the project and life of the loan.
What is your motivation for getting an LLM?
To advance my legal career further in an exciting, crucial period of my nation's growth, I believe an LLM degree is what I need to become an impactful changemaker in the industry. Right now, Indonesia is constructing a lot of infrastructure projects with a public/private partnership scheme. As such, we can expect a lot of variations in the project finance documentations as proposed by the creditors/investors. Bearing in mind that the structuring and drafting of facility agreements and project finance documents usually follow global market practice, I have a strong desire to learn and understand the practice outside of Indonesia in order to broaden my knowledge on contract drafting and negotiation of such contracts. Furthermore, I want to grasp the business considerations in a contract, which will in turn enhance my ability to make strategic decisions for my career as a finance lawyer.
Why did you choose the University of Chicago Law School as the institution at which to get your LLM?
I chose the University of Chicago due to its rigorous academic activities, where ideas flourish and are challenged at the same time. Several prominent lawyers specializing in banking and finance in Indonesia also went to the University of Chicago for their LLM degree, so I knew I had to follow in their footsteps. Apart from that, the small size of LLM student cohort and classes that are attended by both LLM and JD students can personally allow me to exchange ideas among the best legal minds from different countries.
I aspire to have the qualities of well-rounded transactional lawyers and I am certain that the University of Chicago Law School is the gate to get there. Known for their strength in law and economics, it is the best place for me to learn under the guidance of experts.
What do you plan to do with your LLM?
I would like to dedicate my career in Indonesia on debt financing and project financings of infrastructure projects. I want to play a pivotal role in drafting watertight documentation and remedies to ensure the continuity of Indonesia's national projects, which are critical for public utilities provision. At the peak of my career, I aim to work in a state-owned enterprise in Indonesia, which focuses on Indonesian infrastructure projects, to achieve my goal in working for the public sector.
What are you most looking forward to in coming to the Law School, the US, and/or the city of Chicago?
This may sound very cliché, but I am excited to finally be able to dedicate my time to studying again, especially this time with various classmates from around the world. I am excited to learn from the distinguished faculty, exchange ideas with fellow LLM students from diverse backgrounds, and use all the great opportunities and resources at the Law School to deepen my legal knowledge and advance my career.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I have been a professional makeup artist since 2017; it's a hobby that turned into another profession apart from lawyering. I started applying makeup on other people when I was in university as a hobby, and fortunately had the opportunity and resources to take a professional makeup course after I graduated. At the beginning, I did a lot of makeup for free and uploaded my portfolio on social media. After a while, a lot of people started to book sessions with me. I do bridal, bridesmaids and event makeup on weekends and lawyering on weekdays. Many people ask if I get to rest on weekends, but honestly, applying makeup is therapeutic for me. It's just like painting but on a different medium! Sometimes it's tiring, but seeing that I am able to boost my clients' confidence is very rewarding.
What is a “fun fact” about you?
As the only daughter in the family, it is only natural that my mom and I bond over makeup. We both love to doll up. Growing up, I loved anything makeup related. I have a social media platform dedicated to makeup reviews. During my spare time, I usually create content related to beauty, lifestyle, and makeup tutorials. I'm very lucky that some beauty brands have engaged with me for partnerships as my platform has grown. I cannot wait to explore the makeup stores in Chicago and all over the United States!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Upon completing my LLM degree, I am also eager to dedicate my pro bono work to addressing and combating women's rights issues in Indonesia. I am looking forward to getting exposure from programs at the Law School that provide extensive opportunities for students interested in advancing women's rights and gender equality.