With over 18 years of experience in the Middle East, Laya regularly advises multinational clients from different industries on regulatory matters, commercial transactions, multijurisdictional distribution and agency arrangements and restructurings, commercial disputes settlements, competition law, trade compliance, export controls, trade sanctions and customs matters. She is the Middle East co-lead for the Baker McKenzie Consumer Goods and Retail and the Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Groups. Laya has also extensive experience in the Telecommunications sector.

Laya trained at one of the largest law firms in Lebanon and one of the largest international law firms in London before she joined Baker McKenzie in Dubai in 2013. She was a lecturer and coordinator of a Business Law course for five years at the Faculty of Business at Antonine University in Lebanon. Laya is currently a lecturer in the continuous Legal Professional Development Program at the Dubai Legal Affairs Department and a regular speaker at Mecomed.

Looking back on your career, what are some key moments that have helped or hindered you in getting to where you are?

When I look back, I do not see one defining moment, but a series of choices, opportunities and difficult periods that gradually shaped me. I feel fortunate to have worked with people who recognised my potential and trusted me with responsibility early on. Their confidence encouraged me to believe in myself, step outside my comfort zone and take on increasingly complex work.

Becoming a mother was another deeply important chapter. I have three young children, and building my career while raising them has brought both joy and challenge. It clarified what matters to me and taught me that professional ambition and a fulfilling family life can sit alongside one another, even if there are inevitable trade-offs. I have also learned that Icannot do everything perfectly all the time. Accepting that—and being kinder to myself—has made me stronger and more resilient.

Some of the periods that felt hardest at the time ultimately taught me the most. They revealed my own strength, deepened my appreciation for the people who stood beside me and gave me greater confidence in the path I was building.

What one factor has helped you the most throughout your career?

Resilience. A long career in law inevitably comes with difficult periods, whether it is an intense workload, a setback, competing responsibilities or simply questioning whether you are doing enough.

I have had moments when I questioned whether I was doing enough—as a lawyer, a mother and a person. Over time, I have learned not to let those moments define me. A career is not a race, and I no longer measure my journey against someone else’s timeline. I am proud of how hard I have worked, of the times I kept going when it would have been easier to step back, and of the resilience I found through challenges I did not always feel ready for. At the same time, I know I have not done it alone. The people who believed in me and stood beside me—at work and at home—gave me strength when I needed it most. Their support does not diminish my own effort; it has made the journey richer and every achievement more meaningful.

How do you balance long hours with your personal life successfully?

I am not sure I would describe it as achieving balance every day. Some days feel more balanced than others, and I have learned to be comfortable with that. For me, it is less about getting everything right at once and more about caring for the priorities that matter most over time.

I work in a demanding profession, and my husband also has a demanding career that requires him to travel for much of the week. Managing our professional and personal commitments therefore takes organisation, flexibility and teamwork. It can be challenging, but it also gives me perspective and reminds me why making space for the different parts of my life matters so much.

There are periods when work needs more of me and others when personal commitments do. I try to be deliberate about where I spend my time and to be fully present in the moment. When I am working, I give my work the focus, care and attention it deserves; outside work, I try to bring that same quality of attention to what matters most. I have also learned to accept help without guilt and to let go of the idea that everything must be done perfectly. That has made me more focused, more present and kinder to myself.

For me, success is not perfect balance. It is knowing, over time, that I have been present for what matters while remaining true to the professional ambitions that are an important part of who I am.

Do you have any advice for working moms on how to progress and succeed?

My main advice would be to hold on to your ambition and not assume that motherhood makes you any less capable of progressing. A career has different seasons, and there may be times when you cannot give everything the same intensity. That does not mean you have stepped away from your ambitions; it simply means you are finding a way forward that reflects the reality of your life at that moment.

Be kind to yourself, and do not feel that you have to carry everything alone. Accepting support is not a sign that you are doing less; it is often what allows you to keep moving forward. Build a network around you, both at home and at work, be clear about what truly matters, and give yourself permission to let “good enough” be enough sometimes.

And perhaps most importantly, trust your own journey. It is easy to compare the complicated reality of your life with the polished version of somebody else’s, but every path is different. Progress may not always look linear, yet each step still counts. Success is not about doing everything perfectly; it is about continuing to grow without losing sight of who you are and what matters to you.

How important is it to have other women visible at management level?

It is incredibly important. When women see other women leading, it can expand their sense of what is possible and give them the confidence to pursue ambitions they may not yet have imagined for themselves. It shows that there is no single path to success and no single way to lead. Leaders with different personalities, experiences and perspectives bring fresh ideas, make better-informed decisions and help create organisations that reflect the people they serve.

For me, visibility is therefore about far more than representation. A woman in leadership can become a powerful reminder to those coming after her that they belong, that their voices matter and that their ambitions are worth pursuing. When women see a place for themselves in leadership, they are more likely to step forward—and each woman who does so helps make the path clearer and wider for the next generation.

What is the main thing you've seen in any organisation that enables women to progress?

For me, women thrive in organisations where they feel seen, trusted and supported as individuals. I know from my own experience how much it means when someone recognises your potential, encourages you at a moment of doubt and gives you the confidence to keep moving forward. That kind of support can be especially important at different stages of life, when flexibility and understanding may make the difference between stepping back and continuing to grow.

Active sponsorship can be transformative. In my own career, having senior people who believed in me, spoke up for me and opened doors changed not only the opportunities available to me, but also how I saw myself. That encouragement stays with you. It builds confidence, creates a sense of possibility and inspires you to offer the same support to other women. In that way, one person’s belief can reach far beyond a single career.

Is there anything you are doing to help emerging female leaders?

Supporting the next generation of female leaders is one of the most meaningful aspects of my role within the firm. Alongside leading client work and building relationships, I care deeply about contributing to the firm’s culture and future. As a partner, I see it as part of my responsibility to create genuine opportunities for younger lawyers—bringing them into important matters and client relationships, entrusting them with meaningful responsibility and ensuring that their contributions and potential are recognised.

To me, leadership is also about being present and approachable. I make time to listen, share what I have learned and offer encouragement when someone is struggling with her confidence or navigating a difficult stage. I know from experience how powerful it can be when another person sees potential in you before you fully see it in yourself, and I want other women to feel that same sense of belief, support and possibility.

I also try to do this outside the firm. I enjoy meeting students and young professionals through training and career-guidance initiatives, and sharing the things I wish I had known when I was starting out. I speak openly about the opportunities a career in law can bring, but also about the difficult days, compromises and moments of doubt. I know how much the encouragement of others meant to me, so being able to offer that same support now matters a great deal. If one conversation or opportunity helps a young woman take her next step with greater confidence, I find that genuinely rewarding.

What advice do you have for young women looking to make a career in your industry now?

Be ambitious and give yourself permission to aim high. You do not need to have your entire career mapped out from the outset—I certainly did not. Focus on the opportunity in front of you, remain curious and take on work that challenges you.Some of the most important turns in a career begin with the confidence to say yes before you know exactly where they may lead.

Surround yourself with people you respect—people who will share their experience honestly, challenge you and encourage you when you need it. Learn from different leadership styles, but never feel that success requires you to become someone else. Your own judgement, perspective and way of leading are valuable, and with experience they will become some of your greatest strengths.

Above all, do not wait to feel completely ready before stepping forward. Few people do. Trust the experience and judgement you have built, take your place with confidence and allow yourself to grow through the opportunity. You have earned the right to be there, and you are often more ready than you realise.