STA Law Firm’s Rizvi says, government policy on legal reform will benefit from involvement of next generation home-bred lawyers
The UAE’s next generation of lawyers have been told that they can provide important input to help create a modern legal system vital for the nation’s future prosperity.
Zisha Rizvi, who has built a highly successful career as a Partner at STA Law Firm, says that the government’s policy for ongoing legal reform will benefit from the involvement of UAE law students.
She says that the raft of new laws introduced last year and those expected to be introduced in 2019 will foster foreign investment, boost economic development, and attract more young local-based talent into the legal profession.
“The government has a very clear strategy to empower the youth of the UAE and it would be a wise move to include Emirati, UAE-based law students, and other young legal professionals in the process to develop new laws,” said Rizvi.
“Their input would be particularly relevant in the case of arising legal subjects such as those covering the use of social media, as well as, existing concepts such as protecting the country’s traditions in view of their strong nationalistic pride and respect for the UAE’s culture.
“For the development of any field of law or economic sector, it’s essential to maintain the balance of opinion from both the young and more experienced generations to incorporate innovative ideas, and at the same time be able to predict the possible risks and complexities.”
Added Rizvi: “In the past 12 months, the UAE has seen substantial legislative change within legal fields such as dispute resolution, technology, commercial, and space law.”
“The government’s policy to bring about reforms, and put UAE law on par with the highest international standards, can only increase the attraction of a career in the legal profession for young people in the UAE.”
“Those studying law here now can see that it will be possible for legal professionals practicing within the UAE to be able to offer council within other jurisdictions as well.”
Rizvi, who manages STA Law Firm’s corporate department, provides legal advice to corporate and individual clients in civil, commercial and criminal matters, handling broad banking and finance laws in addition to general corporate commercial law matters.
She advises clients on banking and capital market transactions in the UAE, in particular listings on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Dubai Financial Market, Dubai International Financial Centre and the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority, in addition to compliance and regulatory matters.
Heading a team of dispute resolution attorneys for STA’s local and overseas offices, Rizvi has some firm advice for today’s UAE law students.
“Universities typically provide only theoretical experience and a subjective approach to what the law is,” she says, “That’s why it’s essential that law students pursue internships and undertake research projects during their college days to gain practical experience in the nature of the legal practice.”