Paths to Practice | Manar Saed, Paralegal at a Leading Local Law Firm in Dubai

From Teaching in Egypt to a Decade in Dubai’s Legal Field

Hala Law’s interview series highlights the diverse journeys shaping the UAE’s legal community, from trainees and advocates to the professionals behind the scenes who keep the system running.

When Manar first arrived in the UAE eleven years ago, she expected to continue teaching - the profession she had trained for in Egypt. But life had other plans. On her first day in Dubai, she began working in a law firm and discovered an entirely new world. “Since that first day,” she says, “I’ve been in the legal field, and I love it!”

Having begun with no legal background, she gradually built a decade-long career as a legal assistant and paralegal across several UAE firms. Today, she supports lawyers in litigation and corporate work, drafting documents, managing filings, coordinating with lawyers and clients, and expanding her experience through company-formation training.

Her reflections highlight the importance of patience, supportive leadership, continuous learning, and clear communication - qualities that keep the legal profession grounded, human, and collaborative despite demanding hours and constant deadlines.

Q&A

What inspired you to begin your legal career in the UAE?

I came to the UAE eleven years ago and, from my first day, started working in a law firm. I had graduated from the Faculty of Arts and worked as a teacher in Egypt, so it was completely different. My brother is a lawyer, and he encouraged me to try it. Since then, I’ve loved the legal field and always wanted to develop myself professionally.

Since that first day, I’ve been in the legal field - and I love it!

Which skills transferred from teaching to law?

Patience, definitely. The patience you need with children is the same patience you need with clients: explaining processes, answering questions, and helping them understand.

Communication is another skill. If you can communicate with children, you can communicate with anyone. Working here, I interact daily with people from many nationalities and mindsets. That helped me grow stronger in how I communicate.

TIP: Skills from outside law, like patience, empathy, or classroom communication, can become your biggest professional advantage.

What was hardest about adjusting when you moved from Egypt to the UAE?

I started from zero, but my first manager made all the difference. When a manager wants you to learn, they give you opportunities. I was lucky that my first manager taught me patiently and gave me all the basics I needed. That experience gave me confidence and a foundation for everything that came later.

When a manager wants you to learn, they give you opportunities.

If you could give advice to yourself ten years ago, what would you say?

If you haven’t studied law, you must. Experience is good, yes, but you need the academic side too. My first firm offered me the chance to study, but I was so focused on performing well in my new role that I ignored it. That was a mistake. If I could go back, I’d study law from the beginning.

TIP: Don’t postpone formal learning. Combine academic study with work experience early.

You’ve worked at several firms. How have those experiences compared?

The main difference is management. Work itself - the pressure, the pace - exists everywhere. But good leadership makes the biggest difference in how people grow. Across the profession, supportive management helps people learn and progress, while poor communication or inconsistency can hold them back.

What would you like to see improve for paralegals and legal assistants?

Sometimes firms focus their learning programmes on lawyers and overlook administrative or support staff. There should be equal opportunities for everyone who shows passion and skill. I have ten years of hands-on legal experience — drafting, attending hearings, handling litigation — but chances for progression are still limited. Equal access to development benefits everyone, because motivated teams perform better.

Equal access to development benefits everyone, because motivated teams perform better.

TIP: Advocate for your own growth. Ask about training, mentorship, and progression pathways instead of waiting for them to appear.

Do you see many career-changers in UAE law?

Yes, I know many people who moved into the legal field from other areas. Some are content to stay in support roles, but others, like me, would like to progress further and eventually practice law. Ambitious people need space and opportunity to grow.

You’re also training in company-formation work - why branch into that?

I love litigation, but I wanted to learn something new. I’m currently taking a course in company formation to expand my knowledge and apply it to my work. Learning new things keeps me motivated.

TIP: When you feel stagnant, add a new skill or course to reignite your motivation.

Does firm size affect development opportunities?

I don’t think size matters. It’s about mindset. Some firms encourage growth, others prefer to keep people where they are. When you reach a point where you can’t learn anything new, it becomes hard to stay motivated. Managers should be transparent about expectations and progression for paralegals.

What makes litigation enjoyable for you?

Litigation feels like following a story. Each case has its own adventure from beginning to end. I prepare and submit documents, coordinate with lawyers, update clients, and attend expert meetings. When we win a case, it’s the best feeling because I know I was part of that journey.

Litigation is like living an adventure - every case tells its own story.

TIP: Treat every case or project as a story - understanding the narrative makes the technical work meaningful.

Describe a typical working day.

I draft and prepare documents, submit filings, coordinate with lawyers, and prepare for expert meetings. I plan my to-do list the evening before, focus on important tasks in the quiet morning hours, and handle collaborative work later in the day.

TIP: Plan the next day before you log off. It turns chaotic mornings into focused starts.

How do you manage the long hours?

We often work ten-hour days with a short break, plus commuting, which can be tiring. I prepare ahead, keep mornings productive, and try to protect weekends for rest and family. Firms could improve work-life balance, but I understand why flexibility is difficult for everyone.

How do you deal with mistakes or failure?

Mistakes happen. I never hide them - I fix them as soon as possible. If it involves a client, I’m transparent, I explain what happened, and how I’m correcting it. We’re all human. The goal is to learn so it doesn’t happen again. Management is usually understanding when they see genuine effort.

If you make a mistake, fix it and learn from it. We’re human.

What keeps you motivated?

My husband - he’s my biggest supporter! Professionally, I stay motivated through curiosity. I’m always asking “why” and trying to understand more.

Balancing family and work — how do you manage?

It’s not easy. If I focus on one, the other suffers. My advice is to enjoy the weekends, be offline when you can, and make time for family. The job can require you to stay available, but you need boundaries.

TIP: Protect your personal time with the same discipline you protect deadlines.

Your proudest moments?

When I set a goal and achieve it exactly as planned - or when I receive praise from my manager. Those moments make me proud.

Final advice to others entering the field?

Work hard, prove yourself, and never stay somewhere that doesn’t let you grow. Keep studying and improving - experience matters, but growth matters more.

Work hard, prove yourself, and don’t stay where you can’t grow.

Editor’s Reflection

Manar’s journey shows how persistence and professionalism can build expertise even without a traditional legal background. Her decade in Dubai’s legal sector highlights the vital role of legal assistants and paralegals in keeping the system efficient and client-focused. Her story is a reminder that opportunity and mentorship strengthen both individuals and the profession as a whole.

Success in law is rarely linear - be patient with your path, but consistent with your effort.

💼 Would you like to share your journey?

Hala Law’s Paths to Practice series features real professionals across the UAE legal community - from trainees to partners, paralegals to advocates.

👉 Get in touch: info@halalaw.ae

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