Tribune News Network
Doha
QATAR University College of Law (QU-LAWC) hosted the Women in Law Conference 2018 recently.
The conference was aimed to provide career guidance and professional development to female law students, law faculty, attorneys, legal counsellors, judges, prosecutors, alumni and other female legal professionals.
The event was designed to bring together female decision makers so that female law students could find mentors, meet role models and to help the community of professional women in law flourish and serve as an example for the region.
The conference was a result of NPRP9-341-5-047 'Legal Education & the Skills Market in Qatar', in pursuit of its objective to"explore the legal landscape for young female legal professionals in Qatar and provide a comprehensive summary of any career considerations specific to them". It brought together prominent judges, prosecutors and women working in the courts to talk about their careers and share the challenges they face and the steps they are taking to increase the number of women in courtrooms.
Attendees included QU V-P for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Mariam al Maadeed, LAWC Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Dr Fatma M al Mesleh, LAWC Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Externship Program Dr Melissa Deehring, Judge Assistant at the Supreme Judicial Council Alreem al Naimi, Acting General Counsel and Associate General Counsel for Litigation and Compliance at Al Jazeera Media Network Farah al Muftah, Founder and Managing Partner at Ghada M Darwish Law Firm Ghada M Darwish, Director of Legal Affairs at Qatar Tourism Authority Hessa S al Muhannadi, Head of Juvenile and Family Prosecution at the Office of the Attorney-General Maryam Abdullah Jaber, Director of Rehabilitation Department at the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre Noor Saleh al Hor, and Case Progression Manager at Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) Noora al Qahtani, as well as LAWC faculty, staff and students.
Keynote speaker Asma alHamadi, TV presenter at AlJazeera Media Network, gave a speech on 'A conversation about women in leadership'.
The event featured the screening of a short film titled 'Women in Law' directed by Rawda al Thani.
Discussions mainly focused on the tools used to train young female Qatari lawyers and what actions have yielded the most impact, identifying and overcoming gender bias, driving satisfaction in the practice of law and overcoming negative bias from opposing counsel or colleagues.
The conference also discussed reducing career risk as a result of negative bias, female versus male perceptions of power and success, how to embrace your personal vision of your best life without apology or hesitation, climbing the corporate ladder and creating flexibility in your job.