Thelossofseasonedfemaleattorneyshasarippleeffect acrossthelegalfieldandhasasignificantnegativeimpact onlawfirmsandlegaldepartments.Whenseasonedwomen go,theyleavebehindsignificantinvestmentsmadeover timebytheirbusinessesaswellassolidconnectionswith theconsumerstheyserve.Theretentionofyoungerwomen attorneys,wholooktoveteranwomenlawyersasrole models,mentors,andevidencethatsuccessisattainable,is similarlyimpactedbythedepartureofseasonedwomen lawyers.
Long-termobservershavealsoseenthatmanyfemale attorneysleavethefieldwhiletheircareersareattheirpeak andtheyhavetheorganisationalinfluencetoimprovethe livesofthewomenwhowillfollowthem.Iftheprofession doesnotbuckthistrend,therepercussionswillbesevere:a continuedlossofhighlyqualifiedandtalentedwomen lawyers;asignificantlyreduceddiversityoftalentavailable tothepeople,businesses,andgovernmentswhoretain attorneysandseekoutthemostbrilliantandskilfullegal counseltheycanafford.
Thepractiseoflawnowadaysisdifficultineveryway.Law practiseisachallengingcareerforbothmenandwomen becausetotherisingbillablehourandfeegenerating requirements,hyper-competitiveness,and24/7availability neededbyclients.However,forwomen,thesedifficulties areexacerbatedbysalaryandpromotioninequalities,sexist andracistconduct,andisolation,leadingmanywomento questionifthestruggleisworthwhile.
Thegreatestwaytoexplainitwasbyoneofthe respondentswhosaid:"Onthedaythatmalesrealise somethingiswrongwhentheyenteraroomatthefirmand donotseeasignificantnumberofwomenattorneys, concernsofinjusticewillbeconsiderablyminimised,and possiblyeliminated.”
Thefieldhashadgreatsuccesswithyounglawyers;now wemustfocusoureffortsontransformingourcompanies intoenvironmentswhereseasonedwomenattorneysthrive
andaretreatedfairlysothattheymaycontinueto contributetotheirorganisations.
Inthisspecialissue,“World'sMostInfluentialWomenin Law,2022”World'sLeadershighlightsthetalesofafew significantbusinesswomeninlawwhoareinfluencing, inspiring,andinvigoratingotherswiththeirzealtostrive forsuccess.
ThecoverfeaturesAnaTerezaBasilio,FoundingPartner ofBasilioAdvogados.BasilioAdvogadosLawFirmwas establishedbyAnaBasilio.Overthepast12years,thefirm hasexperiencedexponentialgrowthandiscurrentlyamong thetopnationalcivillitigation,arbitration,andconsulting firms.Ithasamultidisciplinarystaffthatoperatesinseveral businesssectorswhileplacingapremiumonethicsinits interactionsandthenever-endingpursuitofexcellence. Today,itemploysmorethan100lawyerswhowere carefullychoseninthecompetitivelegalmarket.Theyare professionalswithatrackrecordofaccomplishmentwho combineaconsistentethical-professionalvocation,asense ofteamwork,andperformancesuccessbeforethe federation'smostdiversifiedcourts.
Whilewecometotheend,pleasedonotforgettoreadthe CXOstandpointswrittenbyindustryexpertsandthe informativearticlespenneddownbyourin-houseeditorial team.
Leadingalawbusinessasitcontinuestoexperiencemultipleunexpected politicalandeconomictimesisexceedinglydifficult,especiallyfor liberalprofessionals.Thatiswhyitiscriticaltoprioritiseexcellencein customerservice,particularlythroughofferingpromptserviceand respondingquicklytotheirdemands,asoneofthemainprinciplesthat governpersonallifeandprofessionalperformance.Onemusthavefaith inhisteam'sabilitytoperformwell,aswellasdevelopaclearandagile communicationchannelandworkfocusedonmeetingtheclients' demandsinthebestwaypossible.Inthebroadestsense,successisa "result,"whichAnaTerezaBasilio,FoundingPartnerofBasilio Advogados,saysistheconsequenceofgoodwork.Hardwork, perseverance,andfocusbeyondeverydayeffortsarewhatshevaluesand recognizesasusefulforachievinggoodresults.
BasilioAdvogadosLawFirmwasestablishedbyAnaBasilio.Overthe past12years,thefirmhasexperiencedexponentialgrowthandis currentlyamongthetopnationalcivillitigation,arbitration,and consultingfirms.Ithasamultidisciplinarystaffthatoperatesinseveral businesssectorswhileplacingapremiumonethicsinitsinteractionsand thenever-endingpursuitofexcellence.Today,itemploysmorethan100 lawyerswhowerecarefullychoseninthecompetitivelegalmarket.They areprofessionalswithatrackrecordofaccomplishmentwhocombinea consistentethical-professionalvocation,asenseofteamwork,and performancesuccessbeforethefederation'smostdiversifiedcourts. Additionally,theteamismadeupoftheesteemedProfessorCarlos RobertoBarbosaMoreiraandMr.FredericoJoséLeiteGueiros,both formerpresidentsoftheFederalRegionalCourtoftheSecondRegion. Numerousmembershavecompletedpost-graduateandspecialised courseworkatsomeoftheworld'stopcolleges.Theteam'straining culturediffersfromotherteamsinthatitisstimulatedbyacademic practice.
BasilioAdvogados,foundedbywell-knownattorneysfromthenation's toplawfirms,hasastrongtrackrecordofservingmajorbusinessesina widerangeofindustries,includingpublicserviceconcessionaires, miningenterprises,banks,constructionfirms,shoppingcenters,and privateindividuals.Thefirmofferslegalaidincomplicatedlitigious judicial,arbitral,andextrajudicialsituationsthankstoitsprofessionals, whoaregroupedinthemostreliableandtraditionaltechnical-humanistic formation.Additionally,itofferslegalconsultingservices,includingthe developmentoflegalopinionsandassistingwithcontracts,duediligence, realestatetransactions,andestateandsuccessionplanning.Onemight highlightthefollowingassomeoftheprimarypracticeareasitdevotes
itsattentionto:arbitration,mediation,businessrecovery, realestatelaw,administrativeandregulatorylaw, businessrecovery,constitutionallaw,environmentallaw, andsuccessionlaw.Themostvaluableservicewasthe courtrecoveryprocessforGrupoOi,Brazil'slargest telecombusiness.GrupoOi'sjudicialrehabilitation processwasregardedasthelargestinLatinAmerica.
AnaBaslio,afoundingpartner,seekstoreconcilethe rolesofwife,mother,partner,andvice-presidentofthe OAB-RJasbestshecan.Managing,coordinating, encouraging,andsupervisingtheupkeepofsociety's identityandmoralnorms.Sheconsidersthesenseof effectivejusticeexperiencedwhentriumphsarepublicly celebratedtobethemostenjoyableaspectofher demandingdailyschedule.
Sheadds,"I believe, however, that personal and professional maturity are great allies for its maintenance.”
InDecember1989,AnaBasiliocompletedher undergraduatestudiesinlawattheUniversidade CândidoMendesdoRiodeJaneiro-UCAM,andshelater earnedherlawdegreefromtheUniversityofWisconsin.
ShehadtheprivilegeofservingasapartneratSergio BermudesLawFirmfrom1990to1998andasan internationalpartneratBaker&McKenziefromJuly 2002to2005,whereshewasinchargeofBrazil'scivil andcommerciallitigationandarbitrationpractices.She alsomentionsthatshehadthehonourofservingasa judgeoftheRegionalElectoralCourtoftheStateofRio deJaneirofromDecember2010toJuly2015,aswellas beingamemberoftheInternationalChamberof Commerce(ICC),basedinParis,intheArbitrationand DisputeResolution(ADR)commission,andasDirector oftheInternationalChamberofCommerce(ICC), DirectorofMediationandArbitrationoftheInstituteof BrazilianLawyers,electedin2018forthebiennium 2018-2019.
AnaBasiliorecognisesgainingtheMedalofJudicial MeritfromtheRiodeJaneiroCourtofJusticein2014 andtheMedalofMeritfromtheRiodeJaneiroFederal RegionalCourtin2015.ShewaschosenastheInstitute's PresidentoftheMediationandArbitrationcommissions inNovember2018andVice-PresidentoftheBrazilian BarAssociation'sStateofRiodeJaneiroSectionforthe 2019–2021term.ShewasappointedtothePermanent ForumoftheArbitrationCommissionoftheEscolade MagistraturaoftheStateofRiodeJaneiro(EMERJ)in 2019,andinAugust2021,sheestablishedtheInstituto BrasileirodeEstudosemProteçodeDadosIBRADADOS,assumingitsPresidencyuntilApril2022. Anawasre-electedvice-presidentoftheBrazilianBar Association,SectionoftheStateofRiodeJaneiro,in November2021forthethree-yearperiod2022–2024. ShereceivedanominationinMay2022tojointhe PermanentForumofTransparencyandAdministrative ProbityattheEMERJSchoolofMagistratesinRiode Janeiro.InSeptember2019,ALERJ(theLegislative AssemblyoftheStateofRiodeJaneiro)finally bestowedtheTiradentesMedal.
Themostimportantfactorsforalawpracticeare professionalism,transparency,andethics.Basilio Advogadosisskilledinallareasthatleadtosuccessful outcomesforthebusiness,butespeciallyfortheclients. Beingawareofchangesinthemarket,inregulation,in courtprecedent,andinclientandemployeedemandsis
crucialwheninapositionofleadership.Therefore, changesinthebusinessenvironmentmustbedynamic justasthemarketisandthelawisalwayschanging. Inaworldthatisstilladjustingtothecontextofdigital courtandarbitrationprocesses,Anaclaimsthatthekey goalwastoreconciletheface-to-faceworkenvironment withthehomeofficeandtofittheclients'needstothe newreality.
Anaupholdsthevaluesofhumanity,profitability,and justcompensation,aswellasteamworkandinformation security.Shealsobelievesinthevirtuesofhonesty, integrity,andloyalty.Persistenceisalsoacornerstoneof thisculture.Sinceshecontinuallyseekstheadviceof thisteamofexpertstohelphermakedecisions,she viewsitasablessingthatsheisrecognizedasa proactiveandconfrontationalleaderwhoisalsovery
collaborative.Sherespectstheteamthatworkswithher because,inheropinion,itwouldbeimpossibletobein frontofnumeroustasksatoncewithoutthem.
AnaBasilioproclaims,"I am lucky to have a competent team, specialized and committed to the purposes of the office and the clients.”
AccordingtoAna,aleaderneedstosetanexample.Your teamshouldreflectwhatyoudointermsofattitudes, posture,problem-solvingtechniques,howyouinteract withothers,andhowyouconductyourprofessionallife. Whatshehaslearnedmostaboutleadershipthroughher yearsoflegalpracticeisthat"theexampledrags."She suggestssettingagoodexamplesothatyourteamwill bededicatedtoyourobjectives,shareyourambitions, andbemotivatedtoworkhard.
Cindy Watson
Cindy Watson, the founder and managing partner of Watson Labour Law and a graduate of the renowned Osgoode Hall, is an experienced and recognized a orney who has specialized in social jus ce for the past 30 years.
Cindy is a sought-a er corporate trainer and speaker who works to bridge the gap between men and women in order to improve produc vity, communica on, and gender prejudice.
Cindy is commi ed to breaking down barriers, achieving wage fairness, and pu ng an end to discrimina on. She has a demonstrated track record of empowering, figh ng for, and pushing individuals to be the greatest versions of themselves.
She is a well-known interna onal speaker, author, and consultant who is recognized for her enthusiasm, devo on, and ability to inspire.
CBeloware highlightsof theinterview conducted between World'sLeaders andCindy Watson:
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideoftheworkplace. I'vealwaysbeenpassionateanddriven aboutissuesIcareabout.Growingup inablue-collarfamily(inalow-rent apartmentcomplexwithafatherwho workedshiftworkinapapermill factory),Ifeltcalledtoprotectthe rightsofworkers.Itwasalways instilledinmefromayoungagethat everyonedeservestobetreatedwith dignityandrespectintheworkplace andbeyond.Thatisalife-long philosophyIhaveembracedand broughttomylawpractice,zealously representingtradeunionsandtherights oftheirmembers.
Describeyourbackgroundandwhat didyoudobeforeyoustarted/joined thecompany?
Comingfromablue-collar background,myparentsdidn'thavethe resourcestoaffordapost-secondary educationforme.So,Iworkedalmost
full-timehourswaitressingthroughout theschoolyearformyhighschool, university,andlawschoolexperiences toearnthemoneytofundmy education.Inthesummers,Isoughtout relevantworkexperience,doingan internshipintheStudentsTrainingin IndustrialRelationsprogram,working atemploymentagencies(bothprivate andpublic),andworkingwithatrade union.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart?
IwenttolawschoolknowingIwanted topracticetradeunionlaborlaw.I articledattheLabourRelationsBoard, andaftermycalltothebar,Itooka positionataboutiquelabourlawfirm. Iwasofferedapartnershipafteronly3 years,butwhileIlovedthepractice,I knewIdidn'twanttodoitthere. EveryonethoughtIwashavingan earlymidlifecrisiswhenIturnedit downandoptedtoputoutmyown shingle.Iwantedafirmthatwas mission-drivenandideologically committedtoprotectingandenhancing rightsforworkersandunions.
Withthenaivetéthatcomesfrom youth,Ihadnodoubtthatitwould succeed.Inhindsight,Ihadnoequity,
noassuranceofclients,nobusiness plan,oranyofthetypicalminimum requirementsforabusinessstart-up, butmyunshakableconfidenceinthe powerofmymissionallowedmeto forgeapathtokickstartmyown boutiquelaborlawfirm,whichquickly grew(bothinsizeandreputation).We becameknownforourpassionate advocacyonbehalfofourclients,and I'mproudtosaythatreputation continues.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful?
I'vealwayspridedmyselfandourfirm onourcorevaluesofintegrity,passion, drive,commitment,andexcellence. Thatwinningcombinationdelivers consistent,superiorresults.Webelieve inwhatwedoandtheimportantvalue itbrings,notonlytoourclientsbutthe broadercommunityasweadvocatefor enhancedrightsforworkersona globallevel.
Becausewearemission-driven,we aren'tmotivatedbythemoney.We prideourselvesonourabilitytoeffect superiorsettlements,knowingwhen andhowtoavoidlitigationtosecure creativebestoutcomesandwhento litigate.
Whicharethemajorservicesofthe companyandhowdotheythe companytogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-added servicesdoesthecompanyprovide? Weofferthefullrangeofservicesto ourtradeunionclients,including(but notlimitedto):
Representationbeforealllabour tribunalsandatalllevelsofcourt Ÿ Grievance&arbitrationadvocacy Ÿ LabourBoardadvocacy Ÿ Workerscompensationmatters Ÿ Disabilitybenefits Ÿ Equitywork Ÿ HumanRightsadvocacy Ÿ Legislativeandpoliticallobbying Ÿ Training&Educationprogramming Westandoutfromthecompetition givenourpassionatecommitmentto thecausewhichisreflectedinour advocacyandinourabilitytosecure betteroutcomeswithoutlitigation whereappropriate.Wetirelesslyseek thebestpossibleresultsforourclients. WedosoutilizingwhatwecalltheArt ofFeminineNegotiation,wherewe bringrapport-building,empathy, flexibility,intuitionandtrust-building tothetablesoourclientsgetmore creativeoutcomeswithbetter relationships,greaterbuy-inand longer-lastingagreements.
Wethinkoutsidethebox,lookingfor unexaminedoptionsforenhanced solutions.Thiscooperativeversus competitiveapproachconsistently yieldsbetterexperiencesandoutcomes forourclients.Havingsaidthat,where necessaryweareknownforour exceptionaladvocacy,whereweleave nostoneunturned.
Wecareaboutourclientsandtheir issues.Wedon'ttreatthemlike numbers.
Unlikemostlawfirms,wealsothink proactively,seekingtoanticipateissues andredressingthembeforethey becomeconflictsorproblems.Our proactive(vsreactive)approachis uniqueinthepracticeoflawandsaves ourclientsmuchtime,money,angst andrelationships.
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?
Teamiskeyinlifegenerally,in businessorganizations,andparticularly fortradeunionsandserviceproviders forunions.Unionsarebasedona philosophyofsolidarity—stronger together.Individualheroicsdonot servethegreatergood.Buildingan engaged,dedicated,passionateteamis keytosuccess.Studiesshowthat diversityinthinkingallowsformore creativeoutcomesandbetterresults (nottomentionimprovedproductivity andefficiency).
Teamworkandthebrainstormingit affordswillincreasetheoutputofany organization(bothintermsof quantitativeproductivity,butperhaps moreimportantly,intermsofmore refined,creative,distinctive,move-thedialendresults).
Thisholdstruegenerally,andweseeit asparticularlyimportantforourlaw firm.Unionssecuretheirstrengthin numbers.Unionsthatrelyon individualheroicsdon'tsurvive.The lawfirmsthatservetradeunionsneed tosimilarlyembraceandfosterteam environmentstodeliverthebest possibleservice,advice,andresults.
Whatareyourresponsibilitiesasthe Founder/CEOofthecompany? Whatisthehappiestpartofyour dailyroutine?
I'mproudtohavebuiltourthriving practiceoverthelast30years.We've builtareputationforourpassion, integrity,andresults.I'mstillintegrally involvedinthebuildingofourteam andensuringthatourculturecontinues toreflectourcorevalues.Hiringour bestteamisakeypartofthatprocess, asisfosteringrelationshipswithour long-timeclientsandbuildingonclient developmentforthefuture.
I'mluckytostillbepassionateabout representingtradeunions.Ilovethe advocacy,andIparticularlylovethe exceptionaltrainingandeducationwe
offer.Engagingdirectlywithmembers, stewardsandfront-lineunionreps feedsme–theenergyflowsbothways asweinspireeachotherincarrying forwardtheimportantworkthatneeds tobedone.
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?
Listen.Reallylisten.Bringempathyto thetable,trulyseekingtounderstand andmeettheneedsofothers(both withinandoutsideyourorganization). Thebenefitsofthisapproachcannotbe overstated.Neverseektoexert power over others,butrather,alwaysstriveto achieve power with thoseyouengage with.
Despiterecentgrowthinthenumberof womenworkinginlawenforcement,agender gapstillexists;only12%ofswornlegal professionalsnationwidearefemale.Itisstill urgenttoachievegenderequalityinlegal positions,especiallyattheleadershiplevels. AccordingtotheU.S.BureauofLabor Statisticsdata,employmentoflawyerswill increaseby5%between2019and2029.To satisfytherisingdemand,morewomenshould berecruitedandhiredforlegalpositions.
Since1990,womenhavemadeupover60% ofnewrecruitstothefield,andtodaythereare morewomenpracticingassolicitorsthanmen. Althoughthesefiguresandrolemodelsare motivating,itisobviousthatmorecanyetbe done.Creatinganunderstandingformenand womentodebatehowtohelpwomenin leadershippositionsintheprofessionisoneof ourmaingoals.
OvercomingObstaclesandDefeatingthe Odds
Comparedtotheirmalecounterparts,women intheearlystagesoftheirlegalprofessions confrontdifferentdifficulties.Despite advancements,manylawfirmscontinueto harborunconsciousbias.Theunequal distributionofopportunitiesbetweenmenand women,particularlyintheearlyyearsof practice,maybecausedbytheseprejudices thatunconsciouslyinfluenceattitudes, conduct,anddecision-making.Itmightalsobe afactorinthefactthattherearealotfewer womenintoppositionsinlegalfirms.In reality,accordingtoa2016reportbythe NationalAssociationforLawPlacement,Inc. (NALP),womenarerepresentedinprivate practiceatarateof22%atthepartnership level,comparedto49%atthesummer associatelevel.
Itisnotbecausewomenarenotputtinginthe timeandeffortorbecausetheyare preoccupiedwithotherissuesintheirlives thattheyarenotmovingupintheprofession.
Whenitcomestotheadvancementand retentionoffemaleattorneysinthelegal profession,therearenumeroussystemic problemsthatneedtobeaddressedhead-on.It isdisgustingtoblamefemaleattorneys.
Thisissueisnota"woman"issue.Thisissue affectsthelegalprofessionandiscausedby obsoleteorganizationalstructures.The associationasawholeworkstoensureequal participationbygeneratingtimelyreports, studies,andrecommendationstoassistlaw firmsandotherlegalemployersinaddressing enduringgenderimbalancesintheprofession, enlistingmenasallies,andcombatingsexual harassment.Since1959,alothaschanged. Ginsburgwasoneofjustninewomeninher Harvardlawschoolclassatthetime,andshe wasquestionedaboutwhyshewastakinga positionawayfromaman.Currently,54%of lawstudentsarewomen.Womennowaccount for37%oftheprofession,upfromjust3%in 1970.
Butdiscriminationagainstwomenstillexists intheindustry.Althoughtherearemore womenworkinginlegalfirmsthanmen,only 21%ofthemareequitypartners,andjust2% ofthemarewomenofcolour.Thelikelihood thatawomanwillbeoneofthefewfemalesin theroomincreasesassheadvancesthrougha legalfirm.
Wewon'tjustwatchwhilethemajorityofthe legalcommunityleaves,takingwiththem theirknowledgeandexpertiseatacrucial time.That'sbadforbusiness,badforthe industry,andbadforcustomers.Andit's incorrect.
Womenattorneysdeservetoworkinajustand equalenvironmentwherethecultureandrules supportthemanddonotdiscouragethemfrom succeeding.Forindividualfemaleattorneys, thelegalprofession,andtheclients,wecando alot,lotbetter.
Komal Solomon is a partner of Solomon & Co. with over 20 years of experience. Komal attended Jai Hind College before studying law at the Government Law College in Mumbai. She focuses on business and regulatory compliance, regulatory communications, immigration law, entertainment and media law, India entry strategy, and intellectual property law.
She has helped various global corporations establish subsidiaries, branch offices, and liaison offices in India.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andKomalSolomon:
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideofthe workplace.
Iamaself-motivatedandhardworkingindividual.Iamfriendlyand Ilovereadingbooks,listeningto music,andplayingboardgameswith mychildrenonceIambackhome fromwork.
Describeyourbackgroundand whatdidyoudobeforeyou started/joinedtheFirm? Igraduatedinscienceandthereafter readlawattheGovernmentLaw CollegeinMumbai.
Aftermygraduationinlaw,Ijoined myuncle,Mr.NavinParekh,a renownedlawyeroftheBombay HighCourt,asajuniorassociate, whereIpracticedlitigation.Iwas inclinedtofacechallengesandhence Imovedoutofthecomfortofa familyfirmandjoinedThakker& Thakker,aleadinglawfirminIndia, whereIlearntandpracticed corporatelaw,intellectualproperty law,Indiaentryandimmigrationlaw.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe Firm.Howdiditallstart?
Solomon&Co.wasfoundedin1909 andisamongstIndia'soldestlaw firms.Thefirmwasoriginallyareal estateandlitigationlawfirmand laterevolvedintoafull-servicelaw firmofferingservicesinabroad rangeofpracticeareas,including corporate,mergersandacquisitions, businessandtrade,bankingand finance,capitalmarkets,Indiaentry, privateequity,disputeresolution, realestateandconstruction, insurance,mediaandentertainment, andintellectualproperty.
Solomon&Co.nowcelebratesthe completionof113years.Theblend oftraditionalknowledgeand expertisemeldedwithmodernized technologyandcost-competitive billingstructureshasbeenavital factorofthefirm'slong-standing success.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful? Whatdoyouvalue? Vision,focus,confidence,andthe abilitytogetalongwithpeopleare thekeyelementsofmysuccess.
Ivaluefriendship,honesty,and loyalty.
Whicharethemajorservicesof thefirmandhowdotheyenable thefirmtogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-added servicesdoesthefirmprovide? Solomon&Co.offersabroadrange ofpracticeareas,including Corporate,MergersandAcquisitions, BusinessandTrade,Bankingand Finance,CapitalMarkets,India Entry,PrivateEquity,Dispute
Resolution,RealEstateand Construction,Insuranceand IntellectualProperty.Ourpresence acrossMumbaiandinPuneat strategiclocationsaswellasour networkandpartnershipwith lawyersinover40citieswithinthe countryandacrosstheglobeenables theteamtoprovidesolution-oriented advicewithinashorttimeframe,thus makingusdifferentandgettingus aheadinthecompetition.Manyof ourclientsvalueourcustomized billingstructures.
Whatarethemostimportant aspectsofyourfirm'sculture? Whatprinciplesdoyoubelievein andhowdoyoubuildthisculture? Keepingintactthevaluesand traditionscoupledwithmodernbelief isanimportantaspectofourfirm's culture.Regulartrainingandteambuildingoffsitescontributetothe firm'sculturebeingnurtured, promoted,maintained,andbuilt.
Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthefirm? Combiningtechnologywith traditionalmethodologypracticedfor over100yearshasbeenoneofthe significantinnovationsofthefirm.
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?
Inmyopinion,lawfirmsor organizationsshouldfocusonteam processes.Teamworkfosters cooperation,responsibility,and accountabilityandincreases productivity.
Whatareyourresponsibilitiesas
SeniorPartneroftheFirm?What isthehappiestpartofyourdaily routine?
AsaSeniorPartner,Iamresponsible foroverseeingcoreoperationsofthe firmandbusinessdevelopment.The happiestpartofmydailyroutineis whenIinteract,discussmatters, regulatorychangesandexchange ideaswithfellowlawyers.
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?
Stayhonestandbeloyaltowards yourselfandintheworkyoudo. Appreciate,motivateyourteam members,beresponsibleandtake ownershipofyourdecisions.
Thelegaldigitaltransformation
hasgivenrisetoabrand-new styleoflawfirm:thedigitalnativebusiness.Eventhepandemic hasn'tspurredwidespreadchangesin thelegalindustry.Accordingtoacloud computingpollbytheAmericanBar Association,just60%ofbusinesses adoptedweb-basedservicesin2018, slightlyincreasingfrom59percentin 2020.Andtomakemattersworse,only 35%ofrespondentssaidtheyusedSSL toprotecttheirdata,andadoptionof othersecuritymeasureswas significantlylower.
Itwasdiscoveredthattwoessential aspectsthatpotentialclientsrequireare simplicityofuseandtop-notch security.Securitywasthemainpriority. theideathateverythingisencrypted andsecure.
Presentationiscrucialforattractingand servingdistantclientsinanotherway. Thecompanyhasmadeinvestmentsin infrastructuretohostbettervideo conferences,suchashigh-quality microphones,superblighting,and stronginternetconnections. Professionalvideoandaudioarecrucial forvirtualclientmeetings.The technologythatenablesthecompany's remoteoperationsalsoreducescosts. Documentsthatwouldhavepreviously beendeliveredbackandforthby internationalcouriercannowbesigned digitallybylawyers.Withremote workersinvariousplaces,this techniquecouldnothaveexistedeven tenyearsago.
Savingmoneywasn'tthemainreason forthedigitalmodeloflegalfirms, though.Thefactthatthemajorityof ourclientsareinternationalandcannot traveltomeetwithuswasthemain
motivator.Inthatregard,wereallyhad nooptionbuttoconcentrateondigital, andtheproblemwastoprovidethe samelevelofqualityonlineasone wouldfindinaNewYorklegaloffice.
Clientexpectations,however,arewhat willeventuallyfueldigital transformation.Whenalawyercan draftaletterwiththeclickofabutton andabriefreviewthanksto automation,clientswilleventually objecttobeingchargedfortwohours oflabor.Youcanchargeforsomuch morevalue,andtheclientsreceivethat value.
Incertainways,thelegalprofessionhas beentechnologicallyadvanced. Managingtherisingamountof documentsanditemssubjectto discoveryrequiredthewidespread adoptionofassociatedsoftwaremore thantenyearsago.E-discoveryisthe processofobtaining,examining, classifying,andprovidingelectronic documentstoopposingparties.Inorder togiveinternetaccesstofederalfilings, thefederalcourtsestablishedPACER (PublicAccesstoCourtRecords)in 2001.Thefederaljudiciarystarted implementingitsCase Management/ElectronicCaseFiling (CM/ECF)systemthefollowingyear, andasofthiswriting,allfilingsin federallitigationaredoneso electronically.
Forlegalcompanies,digital transformationisundoubtedlya journeyratherthanafinaldestination. Expectationsfromcustomerswill alwayschange.Thelastthinglawfirms wantwhenworkingwithyouisto experienceasenseoftimetravel.
Yosr Hamza is a bilingual, accomplished, andhighlyregardedtechlegaldirectorwith exper se in both private prac se and inhouse se ngs. The Gartner Legal DEI Council is run by her; it was co-founded. Shepresentlyholdsposi onsontheboards of the Women at Gartner ERGs and Mosaic at Gartner. She par cipates in the Associa on of Corporate Counsel's Small Law Department Network, New to InHouse Network, Interna onal Legal Affairs Network, and Women in the House Network leadership and sits on the advisory board of the In-House Community.
Yosr has worked as a lawyer for more than tenyears.Herprofessionalcommunityand peers hold her in high regard. Her experience in execu ve nego a ons, legal risk management, corporate governance and compliance, crisis management, and serving as a trusted business advisor to the C-Suite and top management during her career was greatly influenced by the different jobs she held throughout her career. She moved to Gartner, where she was instrumental in crea ng and leading the Middle Eastern legal, data protec on, ethical,compliance,andombudsteams.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandYosrHamza:
Describewhoyouareasaperson,insideandoutsideof theworkplace.
IenjoywhatIdoasanin-housecounsel.Wewearmany differenthats,andthereisnosuchthingasa"typicalday". Insomecases,wearedecision-makers,andinothercases, wearebusinessadvisors.Andthatiswhybeing approachableisacrucialtraitIpridemyselfonhaving.I remindmyselfeverydaythatmyinternalclientscannotbe afraidtoraiselegalissuesandtheymustfeelcomfortable askingquestionsandcommunicatingbadnews.Mostofus
grewupassociatingourmistakeswithbeingpunished—in ourresults-focusedsociety,there'softennoroomfor error—soit'snowonderthatmostofusdon'tfeelexactly proudofthemorsharethiswiththelawyerintheroom. Andit'snosurprisethatthecommoncopingmechanisms areshroudedindenialandavoidance,inpretendingthatwe haven'tmadeamistake,hidingthemandnotowningupto ouractions.Butthethingaboutpretendingthatour mistakesdon'texististhatweendupdoingthosearound us—andourselves—aseriousdisservice,whichultimately putsthecompanyinjeopardy.Weendupcreatingaworld ofdamagewhenwedon'tallowourselvestobeaccountable forourmistakes.
Describeyourbackgroundandwhatdidyoudobefore youstarted/joinedthecompany?
Iamafirst-generationlawyer.PriortojoiningGartner,I workedinbiglaw.Igraduatedandrankedasoneofthetop tenstudentsonmyclass.Upongraduation,Iwas headhuntedtoworkinoneofthetoplawfirmsinEgypt. Butunlikemypeers,Irecognizedatanearlystageofmy careerthatIwantedtomovein-houseandworkforGartner as(Director,Legal&Compliance–MiddleEast).While BigLawwasanexcellentplacetolaunchmycareerasa lawgraduate,bothprivatepracticeandin-housestillhave theirbenefitsanddrawbacks.Thetrickistodetermine whereyou,yourskills,andyourlifestylerequirementswill fitmostcomfortably.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful?Whatdoyouvalue? Everyjourneyisdifferent.Idon'tfeelcompelledtodo everythingorthingsIdon'treallylikedoingjustbecauseI seeeveryoneelse—whoareondifferentjourneysand paths—doingthem.Idon'tworryaboutwhatthey'redoing, Iworrymoreaboutme.Andhence,Iamfocusedonthe thingsIwanttodothatwillmakemesuccessful,less stressed,andauthenticallyhappy.
The success mantra:
Authenticityisyourgreatestasset
Themindsetiseverything
Buildbridgesinsteadofburningthem
Sharingiscaring
Pacemyself
Whicharethemajorservicesofthecompanyandhow dotheythecompanytogetaheadinthecompetition? Whatvalue-addedservicesdoesthecompanyprovide? Gartner,Inc.(NYSE:IT)providesexecutivesandtheir teamswithactionable,objectiveinsight.Ourexpert guidanceandtoolsenablefaster,smarterdecisionsand strongerperformanceonanorganization'smostcritical
priorities.Wearea$4.1billioncompanyandamemberof theS&P500.Weareatrustedadvisorandanobjective resourceformorethan14,000enterprisesinmorethan100 countries—acrossallmajorfunctions,ineveryindustryand enterprisesize.Wehavebeendeliveringactionable, objectiveinsighttoexecutivesandtheirteamsforover40 years.
Whatarethemostimportantaspectsofacompany's culture?Whatprinciplesdoyoubelieveinandhowdo youbuildthisculture?
Workculturehasneverbeenapriorityasitistoday.The company'ssuccessisallaboutitspeople.Adiverseand positiveworkcultureleadstoamplifiedefficiency.Gartner's inclusivecultureencouragedmetobringmyauthenticself towork,andGartner's10culturalelementsdescribethe veryessenceofwhatmakesusspecialasanorganization. "WinasaTeam.""EmbraceDiversity.BeInclusive."I don'tthinkit'sthebestwaytotacklecomplexlegalissuesif youhavetenpeoplesittingaroundthetablewhothinkthe same.That'swhyinourteam,wevalueeachother'sunique experiences,backgrounds,values,views,andcontributions. Weeachplayacriticalroleinourcollectivesuccess.When weworktogetherinteams,weaccomplishmorethanwhat ispossibleindividually.
Whatisthesignificanceofinnovativeideasinthe company?
Itisverysignificant.Oursuccessisfueledbytheunique traitsofourpeople.We'reoptimistic,flexible,always improving,andwecombinecuriositywithteamworktoget results.
OneofGartner's10culturalelementsisto"embodyanolimits-mindset."Werecognizeandcontioullyadaptto change.Ano-limitsmindsetenablesustoseeopportunities whereothersdon't.
Giveusyouropinionon;doorganizationsrelyheavily onindividualheroicsorteamprocesses?
Teamprocesses:Weeachplayacriticalroleinour collectivesuccess.Whenweworktogetherinteams,we accomplishmorethanwhatispossibleindividually.
Whatadvicewouldyougivesomeonegoingintoa leadershippositionforthefirsttime?
Beconfidentandauthentic.Youdon'tneedtobeanyoneor anythingotherthanwhoyouarerightnowtosucceedin thisprofession.Keepanopenmindwhilestayingtrueto yourself,yourvalues,andwhatyoubelieveinandwantto doregardlessofwhatyourpeersthinkistherightpath.
