The Introduction
I had to sacrifice a lot to get where I am, nothing was ever handed to me, I worked my way from the ground up, I made things happen, I didn’t just stumble into a position job, I created opportunities for myself, you have to be a visionary to succeed in business that’s why I’ve recently started my own law firm which I am building from the ground up on my own.
After I spent thirteen lovely years with Al-Ahli United Bank, I resigned because I was getting married and had later on given birth to three children. It was rather difficult for me to manage my career and family responsibilities, especially that I was at the beginning of my married life. I then took a job in government sector for a year. All I could say it was dull and free of any serious work load. I became lazy then.
I decided to change my employer and it was then that I discovered the unfortunate reality of gender discrimination we suffer in Kuwait, as female attorneys. Opportunities are made available for men just because they are men and not given their legal expertise. I took advise from many friends and decided to work temporarily for a local law firm to maintain my experience in the legal field until I could source another job. I continued working for other law firms for four years without pay. I discovered myself in the legal profession and really adored it. I can now say that females are set to face many challenges because others do not trust our legal capabilities and skills.
Law firm marketing strategy:
“I was therefore more determined to develop a marketing strategy to attract new clients”. I arranged appointments with many friends who are business owners to present the legal services we provide for businesses. To my dismay, I was surprised at their reaction without exception as they “Thanked me for a nice presentation and said if we hear of any family issues from our acquaintances, we will refer them to you”.
I was so angry within myself, because I was sure if I were a male lawyer, they would not react in this way. I decided to adjust my strategy and was more determined to prove to them that they will regret their decision and come to contract with me. This is what actually happened. I moved away from the traditional direct marketing and adopted indirect marketing to pave the way to myself as a female lawyer with my legal career equally as other male counterparts.
1. Create continuous presence in social media.
2. Volunteer with legal advice on local issues of interest to the society.
3. Volunteer with conducting several economic legal studies on new topics.
4. Adopt and advocate many societal issues voluntarily.
5. Hold and sponsor economic and legal conferences.
6. Design a branded logo portraying feminine colors to break away from dominating masculine character in the legal profession.
7. Join expert international organizations to keep abreast of the latest updates in the legal arena.
8. Present several volunteer initiatives as solutions to assist the State and serve the community.
Ultimately, I designed this strategy to prove myself in the legal field and increase the income in the absence of opportunities offered to female lawyers. The other solution therefore is to move towards voluntary work in the legal field.
After four years of continuous hard work without any time out, while most of it was free and voluntary effort, I received a call from a friend who I had approached earlier. We had the following conversation: “How are you and what’s new with your law office? Do you have a strong legal team? In spur of a moment, I went back in memory four years back when I offered him our corporate legal services”. I was frustrated and said, “No, I don’t have a strong legal team but I’m strong enough”. He laughed and replied: “Yes, you are really very strong, and I do follow your activities and I am impressed. He added: I would like to be on your client list. When can you prepare a retainer to be signed?”
To conclude, I would like to present you with the main challenges that female legal practitioners face in Kuwait:
1. No woman holds the position of a judge.
2. Kuwaiti women are not entitled to participate in the drafting of laws and decision-making in the country.
3. Most advisory committees in Kuwait, whether parliamentary or governmental do not retain Kuwaiti female lawyers. In case any women are selected, this would be rare and based on favoritism and payback interests and does not engage of competent and expert female legal experts.
4. No law firms headed by a woman are retained in significant sectors such as the commercial, oil and real estate sector, as law firms owned by male lawyers.
5. Female legal advisors are rarely appointed.
6. The culture of the community still considers female lawyers as talkative and authoritarian. The society continues to accept male lawyers and does not maintain the same view towards them.No law firms headed by a woman are retained in significant sectors such as the commercial, oil and real estate sector, as law firms owned by male lawyers receive preferential treatment.
7. Female legal advisors are rarely appointed.
8. The culture of the community still considers female lawyers as talkative and authoritarian. The society continues to accept male lawyers and does not maintain the same view towards them.
9. Lack of confidence in the legal capabilities of female lawyers created unequal opportunities for female lawyers compared to their male counterparts.
10. Getting New Clients
Getting new clients was the biggest challenge they faced in their law practice.
11. Time Management
lawyers have to wear so many hats. They’re forced to balance client work with all the demands of running their own small business.
12. Finding and Managing Staff
Small firm lawyers have very little time to dedicate to hiring and training, which makes finding trustworthy staff an even bigger challenge.
13. Managing Costs and Financing Growth
Not having the cash flow to make your practice more efficient can leave you feeling trapped.
14. Health and Wellness
It’s easy to neglect your health when you’re working long hours and hustling to bring in new clients.
How can a solo get enough sleep when they’re worried about the mountain of client files that need attention and how they will bring in new business when their cases settle?
15. Client Management
Challenges related to client management.
Keeping clients happy isn’t as simple as producing good work. It requires organized, consistent and thoughtful client management that many attorneys either don’t have time for or lack the skills for.
A key component of client management many attorneys struggle with is maintaining consistent communication with clients.
Areej A/R Hamadah
2019-07-13