The destiny has chosen me to be professionally trained and taught by the first female lawyer in Kuwait, the general advisor to Ahli Untied Bank, the late, Suad Al Jassem, May Allah rest her soul in the paradise.

She was an extraordinary woman who has a deep knowledge in the law and ethics. Has was having a special charisma which mixed between strength and kindness; severeness and flexibility; seriousness and joking. She had a very lovely smile. So, I am proud to be under her leadership for 8 years, during which I have learned a lot from her.

Suad Al Jassem graduated from Kuwait University. At the outset of her career, she had worked at Al-Essa and Al-Bader Law Firm. She specialized in personal status lawsuits and her fellow male lawyers, who were very happy for her existence among them, provided considerable support to her. Therefore, she become the only woman who pleads before Kuwaiti courts at that time.

Later, she moved to work at Al Ahli United Bank (formerly Bank of Kuwait and Middle East). She had been promoted through the legal positions in the bank until she assumed the position of legal department manager; thus, she was the first Kuwaiti legal woman who assumed this position after proving her worth and competences. She managed to lead the legal management team successfully and effectively. She has chaired several meetings of senior bank advisors. In general, she had a considerable opinion in many complex issues in the banking sector. Finally, she took up the position of general advisor at Ahli United Bank, also, she become the first Kuwaiti woman who assumes this position.

She loved Kuwait so much, strongly supported Kuwaiti young men and women and never accepted the saying (Kuwaitis do not like to work).

At the height of her power and gear, she had a blood clot in the heart and during the heart surgery she was infected with a virus resulting in her death.

This woman has a great merit which I will never forget it. Every day, she used to say, "Good morning" for all staff at the legal department. Then, she started her work.

Despite I was not having the enough expertise, she encouraged me so much to experience new and difficult experiences. I was a fresh graduate, but she believed in my professional capabilities and skills. She was always telling me "You reminded me of the beginning of my career. I was having the same passion, work love and activity that I see in you today."

 

Out of her outstanding qualities, she was defending fervently of the legal department staff at the bank. She has been supporting us in the conflicts that occur among the employees due to the competitive environment. Thus, she maintained the prestige and strength of the legal department within the bank which has helped to foster greater trust and confidence in us as legal staff in the bank.

Whatever I wrote, I find it is difficult for me to give her the recognition she deserves. However, I will conclude by saying that I have been very blessed because she was my manager at the beginning of my career; I have learned a lot from her. It is a great honor for all of us as Kuwaiti female lawyers to have Suad Al Jassem, the first female lawyer in Kuwait as our role mode.