World's Most Influential Women in Law, 2022

st21 Century Women in the Legal Profession

Themismatchbetweentraitslinkedwithfemalesuccess andthoseassociatedwithmalesuccess,suchas assertivenessandcompetition,haslongbeenabarrierto equalopportunity.Long-standingdoublestandardsand obligationsstillexistforwomen.Theyruntheriskof receivingfeedbackabouthow"soft"or"strident," "aggressive"or"notaggressiveenough"theyare.What comesoffasassertiveinamanfrequentlycomesoffas abrasiveinawoman.Thefactthatfemaleattorneys frequentlydonothavethesamelevelofrespector commitmentastheirmalecounterpartsisarelatedbarrier Between50and75percentofwomeninlargenational surveysfeelthattheyareheldtohigherstandardsthanmen. Forwomenofcolororotherrecognizedminorities,suchas lesbiansandwomenwithdisabilities,theissueis exacerbated.Thesegroups'performanceisscrutinizedmore closelythanothers,andtheirsuccessesarefrequently attributedtofavorabletreatmentratherthaneducational background.

Traditionalstereotypesarestrengthenedbyadditional decision-makingbiases.Informationthatsupports preconceivednotionsismorelikelytobenoticedand rememberedthaninformationthatchallengesthem.For instance,lawyerswhobelievethatworkingmothersareless devotedoftenrecalltheirearlydeparturesratherthantheir latearrivals.Additionally,peopleprefertothinkthattheir ownassessmentsandworkplacesaremeritocratic.Themost psychologicallyconvenientreasonforwhytherearefewer womeninleadershippositionsisthattheylacktheskills anddedicationrequired.

Inadequateaccesstoinformalnetworksofmentoring, contacts,andclientgrowthisachallengethatpersistsjust aspersistently.Despiterecentdevelopments,manylawyers stillprefertosupportpeoplewhosharetheirbackgrounds, experiences,andviews.Manybusinessesdon'tgive mentoringenoughtimeorcompensation.Thelackofsenior rolesheldbywomen,especiallywomenofcolor,precludes alljuniorcoworkerswhorequireassistancefromreceiving it.

WORLD'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN LAW, 2022

Additionally,itcanbechallengingforfemaleattorneys withdemandingfamilyresponsibilitiestofindtimefor informalsocialeventsthatfostercollegialsupportand clientinteractions,suchasmentoringpartnerships.Asa result,manyfemalelawyerscontinuetobeexcludedfrom careeradvancementopportunities.

Initscurrentedition, "World's Most Influential Women in Law, 2022,” World'Leadersinterviewedwithmanywomen legalexpertstofindoutwhatmust-havesyouneedbefore youcanconsideryourselfcutoutforthejob.Theseleaders clearlyillustratethatawomenarecapableofnotonly buildingexceptionalfirmsthatcompeteonaglobalscale, butalsoofbeingattheforefrontofmulti-national organizations.

ThecoverfeaturesFoundingPartner,HugloLepage Avocats.SheearnedherlegaldegreefromSciencesPo.She hasaDESinpoliticalscienceandinpubliclaw Afterthat, shespentfiveyearsasatraineeinalawyer'sofficeatthe Conseild'Etat.Shefoundedthefirstlawfirmdevotedsolely topublicandenvironmentallawwithChristianHuglo.

Letussharesimilar,inspiringstoriesandinterviewswith manysuchdevotedleadersinthisspecialissuetoraise awarenessabouttheireffortstomakingtheworldabetter place.

Also,don'tforgettoreadthearticleswrittenbyourinhouseeditorialstaffandindustryexpertsasyouflipthrough thepages.

Happy Reading!

Womencontinuetofindthelawtobe anappealingprofessionalpath.Around theturnofthetwentiethcentury, peopleallovertheworldbeganto battleforentrancetolawschoolsand theabilitytopracticelaw.Theyare frequentlythe'reservearmy'inlaw firms,theirfatereliantontheeconomic situation.Certainfemaleattorneys haveleftremarkableimprintsonthe fieldoflaw Tomarkthis,we'retaking alookatafoundingpartnerofHuglo LepageAvocats,CorinneLepage,and herimpactonthelegalprofession.

Corinneearnedherlegaldegreefrom SciencesPo.ShehasaDESinpolitical scienceandinpubliclaw Afterthat,shespentfiveyearsasa traineeinalawyer'sofficeatthe Conseild'Etat.Shefoundedthefirst lawfirmdevotedsolelytopublicand environmentallawwithChristian Huglo.

Corinne'sexperienceaddedvalueto thefirm.Shehasservedasaminister, MEP,andlocalelectedofficialatthe headofapoliticalmovement.Shehas chairedoradministeredanumberof organizationsinavarietyoffields, includinghealth,anti-corruption, biotechnologies,andhumanrights,all ofwhichbenefitthefirm.

Sheistheonewho'sinchargeof everything.Nonetheless,thelawyers withwhomsheworksareliberalswho havealotofleewayinmanagingthe filesgiventothem,evenifthepapers remainunderhersupervision.Her primaryroleistopreservethefirm's

continuityandtocommunicatea forward-lookingperspectivewithher colleagues.

Corinnesays,“Obviously,nothing wouldbepossiblewithoutthequality oftheteamsIworkwith,theirskills, andtheirrigor.”

HugloLepageAvocats

Overthelastforty-fiveyears,Huglo LepageAvocatshasgonethrough manystages.Currently,the organizationconsistsofroughlytwenty highlycompetentindividualsthatshare thesamephilosophy.Itisthefirstlaw practicetoestablishitselfasamissiondrivenorganization.Thisnecessitates anunderstandingofthegeneral,social, andenvironmentalinterests.Whether it'sthecases,thebooksthatthey publish,orthemanywebinarsthey host,theyhaveaverycollaborative managementstyleatthecompany Genderequalityissomethingtheypay closeattentionto.Theyalsohavea diverserangeofagegroups represented.

Thefirmhashighexpectationsforthe levelofcontinuingeducationgiven. Theyhaveanactivetrainingprogram thatincludeswebinarsandthecreation ofdoctrine.Inaddition,thefirm providesaweeklynewsletteranda dailylegalwatchthatarelargelyopen tothepublic.

Value-addedLegalServices

HugloLepageAvocatsisafull-service firmthatprimarilyworksinthefields ofenvironmentallaw(energy,waste, pollutedsoils,products,classified installations,naturalandtechnological risks,circulareconomy,biodiversity, environmentalhealth,transportation, andsoon)andpubliclaw(public procurement,urbanplanning,regional development,planning,construction). However,theyalsohavea criminal/civillawsectionthatdeals withavarietyofmatters,manyof whichareenvironmentalinnatureand havebothcivilandcriminalaspects.

Corinnebelievesthevalue-added servicesofthecompanylieonseveral levels:ontheonehand,thecompany's longhistoryofworkingtogetherand size,whichallowsthemtotakean interdisciplinaryapproachtocases, whichisofteninnovativeandeffective; ontheotherhand,thegrowthofthe TREEESnetwork,whichallowsthem todrawontheexpertiseof28 members.Inadditiontothetwo specialistsinpubliclawand environmentallawandthethree doctorsoflawinthefirm,thefirmhas twospecialistsincriminallawandone inenvironmentallaw.

Finally,thebiggeststrengthislikely theabilitytoinnovate,whichcombines withalotofexpertise.

Theyhavehandledmostofthe significantenvironmentalissuesforthe past50years.Theyjustestablished newgroundwiththefirstcaseagainst theFrenchgovernmentforclimate default.

EmpoweredbyExperienceand Expertise

AccordingtoCorinne,HugloLepage Avocats'teamhashadthechanceto manageseveralextremelygood environmentallitigationissuesatthe FrenchandEuropeanlevels,aswellas beyond(cf.oilcontaminationin Mauritius).Shesays,“Wecan mention,amongothers,theemblematic Erikacase,theGrandeSyntheruling whichisfundamentalforclimate litigation,andthevariouspesticide pollutioncases.”

Simultaneously,theteamisheavily involvedinadvisingonthe developmentofrenewableenergy projects,includingthemostcuttingedgeoneslikeagrivoltaicsandthe couplingofgreenenergywith hydrogengeneration.HugloLepage Avocatsalsoaidsglobalcorporations withtheadoptionofthecircular economy,aswellasenergystorage facilitiesandbatteries.

Greeninvestmentsareabigpartof HugloLepageAvocats'business. Throughstrategic,CSR,andESG assistance,itparticipatesinanumber ofinvestmentfunds.Italso collaboratesextensivelywithlocal governmentsandfirmsthatgrant publiccontracts,particularlyforthe establishmentofbusinessparksand publicorders.

Asaresult,HugloLepageAvocatshas beenfortunatetoreceiveawardsfrom anumberoforganizations.Thefirm receivedaspecialmentionin environmentallawaswellasthesilver trophyattheLawSummitceremony organizedbytheLeadersLeague group.Itisalsolistedamongthebest lawfirmsin2022bythemagazineLe Point.ThePalmarèsdudroitceremony alsodistinguishedHugloLepage Avocats,whichwonthegoldawardin environmentallawforthesecondyear inarow.Itwasalsodistinguishedin projectfinancing,andwonthesilver awardinenergyandCSRlaw Threeof thefirm'slawyersreceivedindividual awards:ChristianHugloandCorinne werenamed“LawyeroftheYear”in EnvironmentalLaw,andBenoîtDenis wasnamed“LawyeroftheYear”in EnergyLaw

Thefirmhasalsoobtainedexcellent rankingsin“LesDécideursmagazine,” whichdistinguishesthemost recognizedfirmsineachfield.

ABalancedWorkCulture

Themostcrucialaspectsofthe organisationareteamspiritandthe sharingofcommonideals.Itiscritical tobeconsistentinthefirm'sstrategy, especiallyintheenvironmental industrywherethestakesare exceedinglyhighandthemedia coverageofthecasesisextremely powerful.

Theorganisationmanagestostrikea balancebetweendefending associationsandassistingbusinesses andgovernmentsinevolvingin accordancewiththeglobaltransition.

Theysharethesevaluesandfeelthat combatingclimatechange,preserving biodiversity,andprotectinghuman healthshouldbethepriorities.They takeonlitigationsituations,butalways withthegoalofassistingtheclientsin theirtransformationandadvancement whiledefendingtheirintereststothe bestoftheirability Theyareaware thatasignificantnumberoftheclients chosethemspecificallybecauseofthe relevanceofethicalidealsinsidethe structure,inaddition tothetechnologicalabilities.

InnovativeIdeas

Thebusinessgoesforwardwith innovativeideas.Thishelpsthetarget audiencebeattracted.Ideasare essentialinorganization,thoughts whileworkingtogether Although HugloLepageAvocatshasamodest structure,theybuildaclearvisionof CSRpolicy,donewithacarbon footprintandalsomonitoredaspartof theirstatusasamission-driven company.

Theorganizationhasalegal documentalistthatkeepsupwith foreign,community,andnational news.Attendanceatseveralseminars andsymposiumshasgiventhema goodpictureoftheevolutionandthe legalsolutionsthattheycanprovide. Theorganizationhasbeenatthe forefrontofnumerousinnovationsthat havesincebecomepositivelaw, includingimpactstudies,compensation forecologicaldamage,compensation fordamagecausedbyhydrocarbonsat sea,compensationfordamagecaused toairportfacilityneighbors,the precautionaryprinciple,andsoon. Today,theyarecontinuingalongthis routewithclimatelitigation,health litigation,andbiodiversitylitigation, allwhileattemptingtoadvisefirms whoseekcounselinmakingcritical changes.

Corinneadvisesbeingabletoprovide thenecessaryleadershiptopropelthe firmforwardwhilerememberingthat nooneisarocketscientistandthat

mistakesareinevitable.Theabilityto workasateamiscriticaltosuccess.

“Thequalityoflifeatwork,the interestinwhatwedo,andthe meaningarefundamentalintoday's society.Inshort,youhavetolikethe peopleyouworkwith.”-says

Corinne

FuturePerspective

Corinneleadswithaconceptof constitutingasmallfirmindefenceof atransitioninapragmaticmanner. Indeed,mostoftheenvironmentallaw firmsarededicatedtodefending polluters,whichismuchmore profitable.Shehas,ontheotherhand, establishedahappymediumbetween litigationandconsulting. Furthermore,doctrineholdsaspecial placeinherheart.

Herlong-termgoalistoexpandher teambyrecruitingattherateoftwoor threeemployeesperyearandenrich theirinvolvementwiththesenior collaboratorswhohaveexperienceof 15to20yearssothattheyleadto growthandsuccessinworkandbrand.

Cindy Watson

Founder & Managing Partner Watson Labour Law

Cindy Watson, the founder and managing partner of Watson Labour Law and a graduate of the renowned Osgoode Hall, is an experienced and recognized aorney who has specialized in social jusce for the past 30 years.

Cindy is a sought-aer corporate trainer and speaker who works to bridge the gap between men and women in order to improve producvity, communicaon, and gender prejudice.

Cindy is commied to breaking down barriers, achieving wage fairness, and pung an end to discriminaon. She has a demonstrated track record of empowering, fighng for, and pushing individuals to be the greatest versions of themselves.

She is a well-known internaonal speaker, author, and consultant who is recognized for her enthusiasm, devoon, and ability to inspire.

BBeloware 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?

Whatdoyouvalue?

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.

Thefactthattherearesofewwomenonthebenchandatthebarisevidence thatmenhavetraditionallydominatedthelegalprofessionworldwide. However,thereisnoapparentexplanationforthis,andgiventhehighnumber ofyoungwomenwhoareinterestedinafutureinlaw,changeisundoubtedlyon thehorizon.

Doesthefactthatmorewomenarestartingtheirownprivatelegalfirms indicatethattheglassceilingisfinallybeingbroken?Severalnationshave passedlegislationchangesinthelasttenyearsthatsignificantlyenhancethe rightsofwomen.Arecordnumberofnationsnowhavelawsoutlawing discriminationorviolenceagainstwomen,andallbut32countriesnow constitutionallyguaranteegenderequalityintheirconstitutions.Whilethese achievements,whicharetobeapplauded,demonstratethatadvancementis possible,proposalstoremovethecrucialimpedimentsthatlimitwomen's economicpotentialarerarelybroughtupindiscussionsofinternationaland nationaleconomicpolicy,andtherearestillobstaclestowomen'seconomic empowermentineverypartoftheworld.

TheWomenandForeignPolicyprogram'sanalysisofhowwomenfitinto foreignpolicyandeconomicdevelopment.

Nationsmustdomoretoequalizethelegalplayingfieldforwomeninorderto tapintotheeconomicpotentialoftheworld's50%femalepopulation.

Thiscollectionofcasestudiesdemonstratesthesubstantialandrealisticbenefits ofensuringallwomentherighttocompeteequallyintheeconomy.Nothing lessthanthestabilityandgeneralwell-beingofhumanityareatrisk.

Accordingtoa2013studyof86countries(80%oftheworld'spopulation), womenbegantoworkinlawgloballyinthe2000s.Globally,LatinAmerica, thenationsoftheformerSovietBloc,andEuropehavethelargest representationofwomeninthelegalsystem,whileIndiaandChinahavethe lowest.

Theanalysisdiscovered52countrieshadarepresentationofhiredlawyers greaterthan30%,whichisathresholdoftenconsideredtosignalconsiderable societalchange.Beginningquickly,UruguayandVenezuelasurpassedthat numberbythebeginningofthe1980s.WhileNorway,Denmark,Germany,and theUnitedStateswererelativelatecomers,crossingthe30%thresholdatthe sametime,womenmadeupatleast50%oflawyersinBulgaria,Latvia,Poland, andRomaniabythemid-tolate2000s—someofthehighestrepresentationin theworld.Thetwobiggestnationsintheworld,ChinaandIndia,bothhavelow ratesoffemalerepresentationinthelegalprofession(5percentinChinaand20 percentinIndia,respectively).

Thesefiguresmaynotshowacomplete"feminization"ofthelegalprofession, buttheydoshowthatthelawisbecomingmorerepresentationalofthemany peoplethatmakeupsocietyaroundtheworld.

However,theprogressmadebywomeninthelegalprofessionaroundtheworld variesgreatlybycultureandcountry Womennowmakeupagrowing percentageofthefield.

Gender is not the Bar to

Determining Progress

Komal Solomon

A Law Specialist with Diverse Work Experience

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.

What Does the Legal Profession Look Like for Women In ? 2021

Changetakestimetomanifest.The project'spacestartledmeinthefirst placebecauseofhowslowitactually was.Becausenotmuchhappenedfor roughly60years,thetaleofthefirst 100yearsisessentiallythestoryof thelast30years.Funnyhowmenin the1920sweresoconcernedabout womenenteringthelegalfieldand quicklytakingover!Butashistory hasshown,progressisoftenquite slow,andmomentumiscrucial.

Nowthatwomenarethemajority,we havetheopportunitytodefinewhat thelegalprofessioncanaccomplish andwhatthefutureofworkwill entail.

Since1990,womenhavemadeup morethan60%ofsolicitor applicants,accordingtotheLaw Society Whilewomenmakeupjust overhalfofpracticingattorneys,they onlymakeup30%ofprivatepractice partners.Itissignificantthatmore womenthanmalesareenteringthe legalprofession,andDenis-Smith

wantsthenextgenerationtoknow thatthereispowerinnumbers.

Thegoodnewsisthattremendous progresshasbeenmade.Withthe passageoftheSexDisqualification (Removal)ActbyParliamentin 1919,womenwerefinallyableto jointheLawSocietyandInnsof Court.Unfortunately,evensuch significantstepsdonotindicatethat theworkiscomplete."Womencan nowenterthelegalfield,buttheir hurdleistostayandadvance.”

Denis-Smithisunambiguousabout herviewsonthefutureofwomenin thelegalprofession,eventhoughThe First100Yearsisahistoryofthe past:"Ithinkit'sveryimportantto distinguishwhatthespaceisfor womennowandtoenablewomento achievetheirambitionstoday,rather thanfightingthebattlesofthepast," shewrites.Wecanmapoutwhatwe wantfromthefutureby comprehendingourpast.

Followingthefirstproject,TheNext 100Yearscarriesonthefightfor genderequalityinthelegal professionforwomenfromall backgrounds.

Despiterecenttremendousprogress, itisimpossibletoignorehowthe covid-19epidemichasaffected genderparityintheworkplace.In Marchoflastyear,theEqualityand HumanRightsCommission(EHRC) alsosuspendedtherequirementthat employersmustbetransparentwith theirgenderpaygapreportingfor 2019–20.Thissuspensionaddedto thedifficultiesthatworkingfull-time

fromhomehaspresentedforwomen, particularlymothers.Althoughit's vitaltorecognizetheprogressthe legalprofessionhasmadetoward achievinggenderparityinthe workplace,therearealsonew problemsthatneedtobediscussed, suchasthepandemic,astheycould reverserecentgains.When discussingtheadvancementof womeninthelegalprofession,there areaplethoraofotheraspectsto consider,suchastheunique difficultiesfacedbywomenwho identifyasLGBTQ+,belongtoan ethnicminority,aredisabled,orare fromlow-incomehomes.

Somefirmsaredoingitrightand takingproactivemeasurestosupport womenintheirorganizations.Aswe gopastthesnapshotthatshefoundin 2014,it'salsoevidentthatmorehas tobedone.Thelegalenvironmentis progressivelyevolving.

YOSRHAMZA

An Award-Winning Business Advisor and Ethics & Compliance Counsellor of Middle East

Yosr Hamza is a bilingual, accomplished, andhighlyregardedtechlegaldirectorwith experse in both private pracse and inhouse sengs The Gartner Legal DEI Council is run by her; it was co-founded. Shepresentlyholdsposionsontheboards of the Women at Gartner ERGs and Mosaic at Gartner. She parcipates in the Associaon of Corporate Counsel's Small Law Department Network, New to InHouse Network, Internaonal 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 ten years. Her professional community and peers hold her in high regard. Her experience in execuve negoaons, 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 creang and leading the Middle Eastern legal, data protecon, ethical,compliance,andombudsteams.

Director Gartner

Yosr Hamza

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.