Dubai, UAE, 11 November 2015 - Leading UAE law firm Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla hosted its inaugural BakerWomen Middle East event in Dubai on 10 November 2015, bringing together local and international female executives in the UAE to share a wealth of experience around managing their careers. The BakerWomen Middle East initiative is part of Baker & McKenzie's global diversity program, and this event provided an opportunity for women at all stages of their professional careers to network, learn about and contribute towards best practice.

The panel discussion was led by Jayshree Gupta, a partner at Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla leading the BakerWomen Middle East initiative, with co-panellists Karine Labaky, General Manager Globalpharma & Head of Generics - Middle East at Sanofi and Lubna Qassim, Executive Vice President, Group General Counsel & Company Secretary at Emirates NBD. The interactive session saw all participants gaining and sharing valuable insights with these senior female role models.  

Jayshree Gupta commented, "Through our BakerWomen Middle East program of events in the UAE, we hope to inspire and support women with the progression of their careers, whether they are at the beginning of their professional journey or well established on the career ladder. It's important to collaborate for positive impact, and Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla is proud to provide this forum for our female professionals.

"There are no glass ceilings, and with the UAE government also emphasising the importance of the empowerment of women, now is the time for women in the UAE to proactively and confidently seize all opportunities to manage their own success."

Karine Labaky, who joined Sanofi in 2013 and is now heading all generics business for Sanofi in the Middle-East region, added, "Women tend to pull themselves back, staying long in comfort zones, waiting for their organizations to offer them opportunities, to shape policies for them. I believe that women should drive their careers and go after opportunities that help them develop and grow."

Lubna Qassim, who is the first female Executive Committee member of Emirates NBD and sits on the board of Dubai Women's Establishment, said, "Women have a critical role to play to progress their own career. I encourage women to have their own authentic leadership style, and to create opportunities for themselves and for other women, rather than waiting for an opportunity to be created for them. It's time to shift boundaries."

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About BakerWomen Middle East
The BakerWomen Middle East initiative is part of Baker & McKenzie's global diversity program. It aims to help the advancement of female professionals in the workplace, and to provide a forum and foster a strong sense of community for our female clients and staff to share and exchange common experiences and challenges. 

This bespoke networking program of events for women at all stages of their professional careers provides an opportunity to network, learn about and contribute towards best practice, and have access to both male and female role models and support.

About Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla
Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla brings over 30 years' local know-how, extensive global resources, and one of the largest litigation teams in the UAE with full rights of audience before all UAE and DIFC courts. As the first international law firm to fully merge with a UAE firm, we deliver unmatched on the ground support that reflects a deep understanding of local legal, regulatory and commercial practices. Our multidisciplinary team of 60 lawyers offers a full range of local and international legal advice across our offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in both English and Arabic.

About Baker & McKenzie
Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie advises many of the world's most dynamic and successful business organizations through more than 11,000 people in 77 offices in 47 countries. The Firm is known for its global perspective, deep understanding of the local language and culture of business, uncompromising commitment to excellence, and world-class fluency in its client service. Global revenues for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2015, were US$2.43 billion. Eduardo Leite is Chairman of the Executive Committee. (www.bakermckenzie.com)

Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a "partner" means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an "office" means an office of any such law firm.

© Press Release 2015