In a world where the legal domain is promptly progressing, many professionals find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the challenge of adapting to new technologies and industries. For Linda Nemeh, this challenge was not a deterrent but rather a catalyst for transformation. After establishing herself as a generalist lawyer in the United States, Linda felt an insatiable urge to expand her horizons. This led her to Dubai, where she ventured into the luxury and retail sector, despite having no prior experience in either the industry or the region.
Linda’s journey in Dubai was marked by resilience and determination. She navigated the complexities of a foreign legal environment, quickly adapting to the unique challenges it presented. Her willingness to embrace change paid off; after seven years, she transitioned into the technology sector as Sole Legal Counsel for Avaya, overseeing legal matters across the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Greece.
This role allowed her to delve into cutting-edge technology while further refining her legal expertise. After four years of industry practice, Linda was offered a specialist position as a Complex Contracting Lawyer with Accenture for the Middle East region, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, GenAI, and Blockchain, where she continued her career in technology for a further seven years.
Today, as a Chief Legal Counsel MEIAT at Richemont, Linda stands at the forefront of legal innovation. She specializes in the luxury space while integrating emerging technologies with traditional legal practices, ensuring that her clients are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Linda’s story is one of relentless pursuit of growth and adaptation. Through her journey from a generalist lawyer to a leader in legal innovation, she exemplifies how embracing challenges can lead to extraordinary opportunities. As she continues to shape the future of law in the tech industry, Linda inspires others to redefine their paths and embrace change with confidence.
Let us learn more about her journey:
A Journey of Bold Transitions and Legal Excellence Across Industries
Linda’s journey to becoming a lawyer was not a conventional one. Her initial dream was to become an actress in theater, but she shared with her family’s aspiration of becoming a lawyer. This pivotal moment, more than 20 years ago, sparked a deep interest in the law, and Linda’s passion for justice grew stronger with time. She is grateful for her family’s guidance, which led her to a dynamic and growing legal career.
Born and raised in the United States, Linda pursued her legal studies in law school before embarking on a career in private practice as a generalist lawyer. After years of working in the US, Linda decided to step out of her comfort zone and embrace a new adventure that would take her to Dubai.
With no prior knowledge of the luxury and retail industries or the region itself, she was determined to seize the opportunity for a fresh perspective on life. Her decision proved transformative, allowing her to become a strategic legal partner in the region, collaborating with some of the biggest luxury brands in the industry and earning numerous legal awards. Linda considers this move one of the best decisions of her career.
After seven successful years in the retail and luxury sectors, Linda sought her next challenge and transitioned into the technology and cloud sector. She took on the role of Sole Legal Counsel for Avaya, overseeing legal matters across the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Greece.
This shift required her to start afresh once again, learning about the rapidly evolving technology landscape and adapting her legal expertise to meet the demands of the industry. After four years at Avaya, Linda took on a specialist role as a Complex Contracting Lawyer with Accenture, where she focused on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, GenAI, and blockchain. She spent another seven years at Accenture, further cementing her expertise in emerging technologies.
With a wealth of diverse experience, Linda was presented with a unique opportunity to join Richemont as the Chief Legal Counsel for the MEIAT region. Despite the challenges of entering a new industry, she recognized the potential for growth and was eager to take on this new chapter. Linda is excited to be part of Richemont, a prestigious company known for its innovation, integrity, and excellence in the luxury sector. This role aligns with her career aspirations and offers her the chance to expand her skills in a fresh environment.
Throughout her 19-year career, Linda has embraced the opportunities that the UAE has provided, shaping her into a legal professional who collaborates with regulators and shapes new legal strategies. The UAE has welcomed her into its emerging legal practice, offering her a community she now proudly calls home.
Embracing Growth and Innovation
At Richemont, the future is crafted through a dedication to excellence and innovation. The company’s exceptional portfolio includes renowned Maisons celebrated for their craftsmanship and creativity, such as Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Vhernier in the jewelry sector, A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, and Vacheron Constantin in Specialist Watchmaking, and Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, Dunhill, Gianvito Rossi, Montblanc, Peter Millar (including G/FORE), Purdey, Serapian, and Watchfinder & Co. in Fashion & Accessories. Richemont also operates prestigious online platforms such as NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, THE OUTNET, YOOX, and the OFS division, aiming to nurture and grow its Maisons in a responsible, sustainable way. The company’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the JSE Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with its headquarters in Bellevue, Canton Geneva, Switzerland.
For Linda, success is a concept that defies simple definition. She believes success is subjective and cannot be easily measured, as there is always room for development, learning, and growth. She sees the key to progress in setting ongoing goals that drive continual improvement. Motivated by a commitment to innovation, she is always seeking new ways to provide excellent legal services that align with her clients’ objectives while upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
Linda views complacency as her greatest adversary, believing that growth and learning come from actively engaging in a wide range of experiences. Whether legal or life-related, every experience contributes to shaping her unique character and, by extension, her work.
To achieve greatness in any field, she emphasizes the importance of consistency, upskilling, networking, and embracing a mindset of evolution, making the change rather than letting it happen to you. She feels fortunate to live in a country that fosters constant growth, offering a platform for curiosity and ongoing education.
Acknowledging Flexibility and Innovation
The constantly growing nature of law drives Linda to stay informed and seek continuous professional development. She recognizes the importance of staying ahead of emerging technologies and their impact on the legal sector.
By keeping up with industry trends and collaborating with tech experts, Linda has successfully integrated technology into traditional legal practices, streamlining processes that would otherwise be time-consuming and repetitive. This integration helps bridge the gap between traditional legal processes and the rapidly advancing technological landscape.
Linda believes that the greatest strength a lawyer can possess is flexibility. While legal experience is vital, the ability to wear multiple hats and empathize with clients is what truly sets a lawyer apart. Empathy, she asserts, is what differentiates a good lawyer from a great one. In her view, there is no place for ego in the legal field; only competency and confidence will propel a lawyer forward.
Early in her career, after a particularly difficult negotiation, Linda was praised for her patience and her ability to balance various roles. She understands that to have a seat at the table, a lawyer must contribute to finding practical business solutions that address the client’s needs rather than simply identifying legal problems.
Linda’s drive to continuously develop her skills stems from her insatiable thirst for knowledge. She believes in broadening her education beyond just legal topics, engaging in networking, and exploring diverse areas of interest. This well-rounded approach has given her the ability to think outside the box and approach challenges with a fresh perspective.
Building Trust Through Transparency and Complex Negotiation Excellence
Honesty, transparency, and reliability are the foundation upon which Linda builds trust with her clients. She believes in under-promising and over-delivering, ensuring she exceeds expectations while maintaining her integrity. For her, a personalized approach is essential; each client has unique needs, preferences, and communication styles, and it’s important to understand these elements to tailor interactions and effectively support them.
Linda knows that clients want to be heard, and it is a lawyer’s duty to listen attentively, grasp their concerns, and fully understand their goals. She emphasizes that a lawyer can only provide sufficient support when aligned with the client’s position. Therefore, she ensures open, transparent communication throughout the process, offering regular updates and involving clients in decision-making to keep them informed and engaged.
One of the most intricate and fulfilling contracts Linda worked on was during her time at Accenture. This involved a complex digital transformation project for a regional government payment system, a deal that had far-reaching implications for the country’s banking industry.
The agreement involved several tiers, third-party subcontractors, and numerous stakeholders, making negotiations particularly challenging. Linda’s ability to navigate these negotiations and carefully consider the concerns of all parties was essential to the successful closure of the deal, which took months to complete. Witnessing the profound impact of the agreement on the market continues to be a source of immense pride for her.
Empowering Leadership
Linda approaches her work with a strong sense of organization and focus, prioritizing tasks based on deadlines, urgency, and importance. By setting aside dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks, she ensures steady progress without interruptions.
Delegating tasks that don’t require her direct involvement allows Linda to concentrate on more complex, high-priority projects. She also maintains clear communication with clients, providing updates and addressing any potential delays. This transparency not only manages client expectations but also helps reduce stress, enabling her to effectively balance multiple clients and projects while delivering uncompromised service.
Throughout her career, Linda has been fortunate to be surrounded by leaders who valued competency over gender. Her skills and contributions have earned her the respect and recognition necessary to advance into leadership roles.
As a mentor to young female lawyers entering the industry, Linda works to dispel the misconception that gender can limit opportunities. She believes that thinking of gender as a boundary can stifle potential, whereas realizing that one’s only limitations are self-imposed can be incredibly empowering. From the outset of her career, she is focused on honing her legal skills to ensure that her expertise, not her gender, would define her success. This approach has proven effective, as she has never felt restricted in her career due to her gender.
Leading Legal Excellence, Innovation, and Inclusion
At Richemont, inclusion, diversity, and equity are fundamental to Linda’s mission and values. She views these principles as a mindset rather than just an initiative. She is committed to investing in her team to cultivate an environment of inclusion, where equal opportunities and fair treatment are central to all employment practices, whether temporary, part-time, or full-time, and to her approach towards clients and business partners.
Linda recognizes that the legal profession is undergoing rapid transformation, particularly with the growing role of technology. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote work and virtual services, reshaping the way legal services are delivered. The integration of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing areas like legal research, contract analysis, and predictive analytics.
Linda believes that as AI continues to evolve, it will handle more routine legal tasks with increased efficiency, shaping the future of the legal profession. She is committed to staying informed, adapting to technological advancements, and ensuring that ethical practices and data privacy remain priorities as the legal landscape evolves.
Linda’s long-term objectives focus on driving positive change, fostering a culture of excellence, and leaving a lasting legacy of integrity and innovation, both within Richemont and the legal industry at large. She aspires to advance the company’s legal strategies, driving sustainable growth while ensuring compliance with global regulatory changes.
By incorporating unconventional approaches and thinking creatively, Linda aims to set herself apart as a legal leader who makes a significant, lasting impact on Richemont and the broader legal community. She is dedicated to continuous learning, adapting, and personal growth, which will further establish her reputation as a forward-thinking legal professional. Additionally, she prioritizes building and nurturing internal relationships to encourage collaboration within the company.
