E-Paper
Sign In
How Emirati women are making strides in the field of law
Long hours, court appearances, and client commitments make it tough to balance work and family life, however there's a group of women ready to take on the world
- PUBLISHED: Fri 7 Mar 2025, 4:16 PM
The number of Emirati women in the legal profession is steadily rising, yet leadership roles remain elusive, according to Maha Bin Hendi, founder of Maha Bin Hendi Law Firm. Women make up an estimated 20-25 per cent of legal professionals in the UAE. While this marks significant progress, few advance to roles like managing partner or law firm owner.
Bin Hendi, one of the few Emirati women leading a law firm, was recently recognised when she won the Law Firm Leader of the Year at Women in Law Awards 2025 by LexisNexis, making her the first Emirati woman to receive this honour. She studied Law in London and later earned a Master of Laws from Fordham Law School in New York, equipping her with a strong international legal foundation. She highlights several challenges that hinder women’s advancement in the legal profession. “Many firms still have male-dominated leadership structures, making it harder for women to break into decision-making roles,” she said.
Recommended For You
Long hours, court appearances, and client commitments make it tough to balance work and family life. “But I know many Emirati women lawyers — some married, some single mothers — who run their own firms and are flourishing,” she said.
Building strong professional networks is key to career growth, yet these spaces are often male-dominated. “For years, I was the only female Emirati lawyer attending American Bar Association conferences in the US. I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I the only one?’” she said. However, this is gradually changing, with a growing number of Emirati women making their presence felt in international legal forums.
For years, I was the only female Emirati lawyer attending American Bar Association conferences in the US. I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I the only one?’” she said. However, this is gradually changing, with a growing number of Emirati women making their presence felt in international legal forums"
Maha Bin Hendi
As the UAE continues implementing sweeping legal reforms ranging from commercial and family law to anti-money laundering regulations, local expertise is critical, Bin Hendi emphasised. “Navigating these changes requires deep local knowledge, especially in understanding how federal and local regulations intersect.”
She pointed to family succession planning as a particularly sensitive legal issue. “This is an area where lawyers need not just legal expertise but also emotional intelligence to handle complex family dynamics,” she explained.
Bin Hendi predicts that the UAE’s legal sector will undergo a major transformation over the next decade, with growing specialisation in fintech regulations, space law, and environmental compliance. “The country has already embraced digital courts and Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered legal research. We expect to see more automation, smart contracts, and AI-driven dispute resolution to streamline litigation,” she said.
She also envisions Emirati law firms expanding beyond the UAE. “Some leading Emirati law firms are already operating in Russia and beyond,” she noted.
Mentorship, she stressed, is crucial for young Emirati women in law. “Having senior Emirati women lawyers guide the next generation is essential. Structured mentorship programmes can help young lawyers navigate the profession, build networks, and take on leadership roles,” she said.
She also called for reforms to actively promote women’s leadership in law firms. “Flexible working policies, clear career progression pathways, and business development opportunities tailored for women can make a huge difference,” she noted.
Breaking into leadership has not always been easy for women in law, but Bin Hendi sees attitudes shifting. “We now see more women judges in both Dubai Courts and DIFC Courts, which is an incredible transformation,” she said.
Her own firm has gained recognition for its efficiency. In 2019, it topped the Nafes Top 100 Law initiative issued by Dubai Courts, significantly reducing case resolution times compared to other firms.
For aspiring women lawyers, Bin Hendi offers straightforward advice: “Be persistent. The challenges are real, but if you are passionate, committed, and ethical, you will find success.” She also emphasised the importance of global exposure. “Attending international legal conferences opened my eyes to new possibilities. We need more Emirati women making their mark in global legal circles.”