Legal services are an essential core of modern society, providing individuals and organizations with valuable guidance and support in navigating the complexities of the law. These services encompass a wide array of activities, including providing legal advice, drafting contracts, representing clients in court, and resolving disputes through mediation. They serve as a crucial safeguard for individuals and organizations to protect their rights, interests, and assets.
The expanding legal services field demands adaptability and resilience. Melissa Forbes-Miranda exemplifies these qualities through her journey of continuous evolution and professional development. As a Partner in the legal industry, Melissa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role.
Her commitment to upholding values resonates with the ethos of her firm, fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and meritocracy. Melissa’s dedication to excellence extends beyond her professional achievements, as she strives to bring about positive social change and empower women in similar circumstances.
With Melissa’s leadership, Stephenson Harwood LLP aims to enhance its profile across diverse sectors, positioning itself as a leader in legal innovation and client service delivery. This international law firm, with a global presence, prioritizes innovation and adaptability in delivering high-value services to clients. Through strategic investments in technology and a global network approach, the firm stays at the forefront of industry trends.
Let’s explore how Melissa is navigating the complexities of legal services through technology:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
There are challenges faced at every phase of the career lifecycle, but the nature of the challenges tends to evolve over time.
During the formative years of my career, the challenge was to build a strong basis of legal knowledge, develop my technical expertise, and obtain an understanding of the business landscape.
The next phase involved learning the complexities of client relationships and mastering the art of negotiation. Following that, I then needed to focus on developing the skills and expertise of other members of the team and getting to grips with the financial aspects of the practice.
All of these challenges have provided opportunities for growth.
Tell us something more about your company and its mission and vision. What strategies have you employed to ensure a smooth transition between generations while maintaining the company’s values and vision?
Stephenson Harwood LLP is an international law firm with offices spanning across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, and with a focus on the following key sectors: (i) transportation and trade, (ii) private capital and funds, (iii) decarbonization, (iv) life sciences, and (v) technology.
Our firm has a culture that values integrity, transparency, fairness, and meritocracy, and we uphold these values across the generations by being careful to ensure that the people we hire have the same values in common.
Enlighten us on the impact that you have made with your work through your expertise in the market.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to several noteworthy transactions that have left a lasting imprint on the market landscape, from facilitating the consolidation of major industry players to pioneering novel transaction structures by securing special exemptions and approvals.
Beyond my professional achievements, I try to bring about positive social change by serving as a role model for working women. By embracing leadership roles and balancing the demands of a career with the responsibilities of raising small children, I aim to normalize and empower women in similar circumstances.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you leveraging technological advancements to make your solutions resourceful?
At Stephenson Harwood, we recognize the transformational potential of technology and have made some significant investments in this area.
We have adopted advanced automation software, workflow management systems, and digital tools to streamline our processes. This not only boosts efficiency and reduces costs but also empowers our team to focus on delivering high-value services to our clients.
We have also adopted various collaboration platforms, project management tools, and virtual meeting technologies to ensure seamless collaboration and communication, both internally and with our clients.
We’ve also recently launched a couple of generative AI solutions – it’s really exciting to see how this emerging technology will be able to support the work that we do for clients.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for your company?
Looking ahead, I would like to play a pivotal role in expanding our firm’s transactional practice in the Middle East, solidifying our position as a go-to destination for corporate transactions in the region.
Additionally, I am committed to enhancing the profile of our firm across diverse sectors, including technology, financial services, life sciences, and decarbonization. I aim for our firm to be recognized as a leader in these sectors, renowned for our expertise and innovation.
Furthermore, I see immense potential in leveraging upcoming technologies to further enhance our firm’s efficiency. As we continue to embrace new tools and methods, I anticipate significant improvements in our operational effectiveness and client service delivery.
What would be your advice to women who aspire to venture into the industry?
My advice to women aspiring to enter the industry is simple: pursue a career in a field that you’re passionate about. The legal profession demands dedication and perseverance, often requiring long hours and navigating demanding workloads. Over the years, I’ve noticed that success isn’t solely determined by intellect; it’s driven by genuine enthusiasm for the work at hand.
Find an area of law that fuels your curiosity. When you’re genuinely invested in your work, you’ll find the motivation to overcome challenges and thrive in this dynamic environment.
In a rapidly changing market, innovation is key. How do you foster a culture of innovation within your company, and what role has innovation played in the company’s continued growth and success?
First and foremost, we’ve established an innovation network comprising lawyers from various global offices. These individuals are tasked with spearheading innovative initiatives within their respective teams, ensuring that fresh ideas are constantly flowing.
Moreover, we’ve implemented a comprehensive innovation training program tailored specifically for our trainees.
Complementing these efforts, we have a dedicated central innovation team. This team actively participates in both internal and external meetings, serving as champions for innovation and ensuring it remains a top priority across the organization.
Furthermore, we recognize the critical role of diversity in fostering innovation. By cultivating a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences, we create a fertile ground for the exchange of varied perspectives, ideas, and insights.
As a women leader, you likely face challenges on a regular basis. Can you share an instance where you encountered a significant obstacle and how you navigated through it, drawing upon your leadership skills and resilience?
The biggest challenge that I’ve encountered was balancing work-life obligations as a working mother during the period when my children were in the infant and toddler stages of life, where the needs of my children were particularly demanding.
In navigating through this period, strategic time management became crucial. I learned to be meticulous in prioritizing tasks and delegated non-essential responsibilities by outsourcing process-related work. This allowed me to allocate more time to meaningful activities, both professionally and personally, such as engaging in impactful conversations and participating in significant family events.
Any advice or words of wisdom you’d like to share with aspiring professionals and fellow women?
Firstly, I cannot stress enough the importance of perseverance and a commitment to lifelong learning. In any career path, there will inevitably be challenges and setbacks, but it’s the ability to persist through these obstacles and continuously expand our knowledge and skills that ultimately leads to success.
Secondly, it’s crucial to assess the support you receive from your line manager or supervisor. A supportive manager can be instrumental in your professional growth. If you find yourself in a position where you’re not adequately supported, it may be worth evaluating whether the role is serving your best interests and career goals and how this could be addressed.
How do you envision the company evolving to meet the demands of the ever-changing business landscape while staying true to its core values?
We prioritize innovation and adaptability. We continuously assess market trends, anticipate client needs, and invest in cutting-edge technology and resources. This allows us to stay ahead of the curve and deliver tailored solutions that meet the evolving demands of our clients.
As we evolve, we ensure that these values remain at the forefront of our decision-making process and guide our interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community.
