SINGAPORE - ONE of Singapore's top corporate lawyers, Ms Rachel Eng, has been crowned Her World's Woman of the Year for her work as a trailblazer in the legal field and at home as a mother of three.

Ms Eng, 46, said working mothers should not feel guilty about juggling work and family commitments. The joint managing partner at Wong Partnership said: "There will be tradeoffs...you accept them and and make the best out of the situation. Then everything will get better."

The annual award by Singapore Press Holdings' magazine, Her World, began 22 years ago and is given to Singaporean women who have contributed to society, project a good image of the nation, and are role models for other women. Her World, published by SPH Magazines, is the best-selling women's title here

The magazine also presented the annual Young Woman Achiever award to women aged 35 and younger who have accomplished much and have the potential to go further. This year's winner is freelance photographer Sim Chi Yin, 35, who is known for her photographs on social justice issues, such as the lives of migrant workers.

Ms Sim, a former SPH scholar and Beijing correspondent at The Straits Times who is now working freelance, said the award was a nod to her decision to "cut the strings of security to do what matters to society and me."

Ms Eng was awarded "Managing Partner of the Year" at the ALB South East Asia Law Awards last year. She also bagged the award in 2011, making her the first person to win twice in the award's history.

The legal eagle, who champions family-friendly practices such as flexi-work options that allow working mothers and fathers in the firm to work from home, paid tribute to her fellow partners, colleagues, husband and children who refused to let her quit the corporate world.