A growing community for women in law.
A community where women in law can grow their network, nurture their career, and cultivate their resources.
“I recognize the immense value in being a member of the “UAE Women in Law” group. Engaging with this group allows me to connect with fellow legal professionals, exchange insights, and contribute to the advancement of women in the field.”
As a seasoned general counsel with over 25 years of experience, I recognize the immense value in being a member of the “UAE Women in Law” group. Engaging with this group allows me to connect with fellow legal professionals, exchange insights, and contribute to the advancement of women in the field. The group’s commitment to organizing events and discussions on pertinent topics, such as work-life integration and professional development, aligns with my dedication to continuous growth and supporting the next generation of female legal leaders.
“During WIL gatherings, we share stories, laugh together, and build lifelong friendships. The events organized by the network are always filled with amazing content, making professional development an enjoyable journey. From insightful workshops to lively social events, every moment spent together is a cherished memory.”
“Have you ever wondered if there exists a gathering full of female lawyers who are passionate about driving change for the better while having good time together? Well, let me tell you about WIL in the UAE. This vibrant community is dedicated to support female lawyers in their professional growth with the power to creating an environment where camaraderie and enthusiasm flourish.
During WIL gatherings, we share stories, laugh together, and build lifelong friendships. The events organized by the network are always filled with amazing content, making professional development an enjoyable journey. From insightful workshops to lively social events, every moment spent together is a cherished memory.
It is always difficult to find time in our busy week agenda, so I am inspired to do it if I enjoy the people around me and the positive atmosphere. This is WIL people. . It’s a space where we can be ourselves, support each other, and thrive together.
Growing personal connections it is something invaluable.
In a world where professional settings can often be rigid and very competitive, this group of lawyers stands out by blending expertise with a sense of community. It’s more than a network; it’s a family where we grow, learn, and enjoy each other’s company.
I am profoundly grateful to be a part of this vibrant and supportive community of female lawyers in the UAE. The friendships and memories we create here are genuinely irreplaceable.”
“Mixed environments often unintentionally silence nuanced challenges, from balancing cultural expectations to navigating unconscious biases. In women-focused groups, we share tactical advice: for instance, how to negotiate parental leave without apologizing, or claim credit for the goals achieved, or how to apply for a leadership role. Targeted and gender specific recommendations transform careers.”
Why I Invest in Women-Led Legal Communities
Early in my career, I learned a truth: progress thrives where women consciously choose collaboration over competition. In the UAE—where female legal professionals now lead groundbreaking reforms—we have a unique opportunity to model how solidarity becomes legacy.
Three Reasons Women-Only Networks Matter and Why they matter to me.
1. Unfiltered Mentorship: Mixed environments often unintentionally silence nuanced challenges, from balancing cultural expectations to navigating unconscious biases. In women-focused groups, we share tactical advice: for instance, how to negotiate parental leave without apologizing, or claim credit for the goals achieved, or how to apply for a leadership role. Targeted and gender specific recommendations transform careers.
2. The Ripple Effect of Visibility: When a young associate sees partners celebrating each other’s wins publicly, she internalizes that success isn’t finite. My first time endorsing a rival firm’s female lead for a consultation taught me: our credibility multiplies when we champion peers as eagerly as ourselves. If you see it, you can dream it and if you can dream it, you can do it! Offering positive leading role models to younger generations is a duty as much as it is a joy.
3. Redefining Power: True influence isn’t hoarding opportunities—it’s creating systems where talent rises collectively. By co-developing UAE-specific resources on alternative dispute resolutions best practices, family law or succession planning, we prove that lifting others while ascending isn’t just possible—it’s how lasting change is built. As legal professional women we owe to act with honesty and integrity and honesty and integrity starts from recognising and promoting not only your own talents but the talents of your peers as well. We rise by lifting each other up!
Our Call to Action
Let’s use platforms like Women in Law - UAE to:
1. Normalize “Career Friendship”: Share client referrals, co-author thought leadership, and introduce mentees to our networks without hesitation.
2. Document Our Blueprints: Publish anonymized case studies on overcoming gender-based hurdles in negotiations or leadership transitions
3. Celebrate Quiet Courage: Highlight not just courtroom victories, but the junior who challenged a sexist remark or the managing partner who overhauled maternity policies. We lead by example. Future leaders will learn from us how to exercise their roles. Let’s celebrate those little acts of disruption and courage in our everyday professional life.
The goal isn’t merely accelerating gender equality—it’s building a profession where supporting another woman’s rise feels as instinctive as advocating for our own. When we achieve that, we won’t just change the law; we’ll redefine what leadership in law looks like for generations of women lawyers to come.
“As a seasoned General Counsel with extensive experience, I find immense value in my membership with the “UAE Women in Law” group. It provides a vital platform to connect with peers, share valuable insights, and actively contribute to the progress of women in our field.”
Having spent over 25 years in the legal profession within the UAE, I firmly believe in the continuous importance of building and nurturing professional networks. This isn't solely for my own ongoing skill development, but critically, to support and guide newer, younger professionals entering the market. My goal is to help them navigate and truly become a part of the vibrant legal community here in the UAE.
As a seasoned General Counsel with extensive experience, I find immense value in my membership with the “UAE Women in Law” group. It provides a vital platform to connect with peers, share valuable insights, and actively contribute to the progress of women in our field. The group's dedication to hosting relevant events and discussions on topics like work-life integration and professional growth perfectly aligns with my own commitment to lifelong learning and empowering the next generation of female legal leaders.
“Being part of the Women in Law Network has been a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from community. I value the opportunity to engage with peers and like-minded professionals who are passionate about shaping a more inclusive and supportive future for those women working in, as well as those entering, the legal profession.”
“Being part of the Women in Law Network has been a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from community. I value the opportunity to engage with peers and like-minded professionals who are passionate about shaping a more inclusive and supportive future for those women working in, as well as those entering, the legal profession. The network’s thoughtful programming—focused on real-world challenges like career development and work-life integration—creates meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and mentorship.”
“Women In Law is driven by a dedicated group of women who are committed to creating an encouraging and safe space for women to connect, learn, grow, and redefine their roles. This network is not just about addressing the pain points but also about providing the tools and opportunities for women to thrive.”
Women In Law is driven by a dedicated group of women who are committed to creating an encouraging and safe space for women to connect, learn, grow, and redefine their roles. This network is not just about addressing the pain points but also about providing the tools and opportunities for women to thrive. Every event and connection made through Women In Law is meaningful and aimed at making a real difference in the lives of female lawyers. I am excited to see the positive impact this network will have on our community.
“What makes this network so special is the sense of community and authenticity it fosters. Having worked in the legal industry for many years, I’ve seen how transformational it is when women come together to support each other with honesty and generosity.”
Women in Law is a powerful network that creates space for connection, support, and shared ambition among women across the legal profession. It brings together professionals at every stage of their careers to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and navigate challenges collectively.
What makes this network so special is the sense of community and authenticity it fosters. Having worked in the legal industry for many years, I’ve seen how transformational it is when women come together to support each other with honesty and generosity.
That’s why I’m proud to support Women in Law as a member of the advisory board. This community is doing important work, and I’m committed to helping it grow, thrive, and continue to create meaningful impact.
“As a group we support and uplift each other and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the founder of the group, Laura, and many of the other inspirational lawyers who are members. It is great to have a group of sharp minds to bounce legal and professional development ideas off and I am always happy to share my knowledge and expertise with others also.”
I am pleased to have been a member of the Women in Law network for the past few years. As a senior legal practitioner with 20 years of legal experience in the UAE (and almost a decade in my home country before that) it is always a pleasure to be connected to other women in the profession.
As a group we support and uplift each other and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the founder of the group, Laura, and many of the other inspirational lawyers who are members. It is great to have a group of sharp minds to bounce legal and professional development ideas off and I am always happy to share my knowledge and expertise with others also.
The events and gatherings that are organised are always enjoyable and educational and the group is one of the most well organised and well run groups I am involved with. Keep doing what you do @WomenInLaw.
“This vibrant community not only supports the development of strong relationships but also embodies a commitment to intellectual rigor, the advancement of women in the legal field and the critical importance of nurturing well-being and mental health.”
With nearly twenty years working in strategic communications and more recently law, I have never had the opportunity to engage at such a meaningful level as I do with the UAE Women in Law network. As the spouse of His Excellency the Australian Ambassador, it has been a true pleasure and privilege for both of us to host two receptions welcoming some of the finest female legal minds in the UAE. Drawing from my background as a broadcast journalist and communications specialist, I deeply appreciate the power of connection and dialogue. As a strong advocate for women's empowerment, we value the professional, diplomatic, and personal networks that have blossomed through our engagement with the UAE Women in Law group. This vibrant community not only supports the development of strong relationships but also embodies a commitment to intellectual rigor, the advancement of women in the legal field and the critical importance of nurturing well-being and mental health. Credit must be given to Laura for her unwavering support for women, the power and the importance of solidarity
Rima Hadid
Francesca Gori
Clotilde Iaia-Polak
Helen Barrett
Kellie Blyth
Carolina Gerding
Barbara Koenen-Geerdink
Vanessa Abernethy
Jessica Swann-Jadwat