“Lawyer by day, Storyteller by passion”, reads the bio on Shurooq Zainal’s Instagram. 

As far as introductions go, it’s impactful. And as far as paradoxes go, it certainly gives pause for thought.

Law and storytelling? How can that be? Lawyers aren’t creative. They’re all about critical thinking and legal research. Drafting, liaising, litigating… You know, lawyering!

But, spend any time at all with Shurooq, and it soon becomes clear that hers is a world in which the cerebral meets the creative as though finding its soulmate rather than meeting its match. And this two-in-one approach carries itself throughout her social feed as well. 

“I curate my feed to reflect a career-driven woman who moves effortlessly from boardroom to dinner without losing her chic, feminine edge,” she says. “I share workwear-to-evening looks, travel moments, and daily life nuances that feel authentic to my lifestyle and to other career-driven women.”

How does she decide which parts of herself and her life to share? “I choose content by asking, ‘Does this piece help a professional woman feel confident, polished, and true to herself?’” she notes. “My brand collaborations are organic – I partner only with a handful of brands that genuinely fit my aesthetic and values. The result is a curated, elevated simplicity with a quiet luxury feel – refined, timeless, and effortlessly chic.”

Shurooq, it must be said, does things because she wants to, not because she wants to be seen doing them. This is a vital and admirable distinction for a proudly Emirati woman forging her own path while acknowledging and respecting those who have come before her – and, as we will discover, the generations coming up behind her as well.

It’s safe to say that female lawyers have been experiencing their long-deserved pop-culture moment since Ally McBeal Ooka-chaka’d her way to becoming a small screen phenomenon back in 1997. 

Since then, we’ve been treated to the likes of Damages’ formidable Patty Hewes, Law & Order’s Claire Kincaid, and Elle Woods’ iconic turn in Legally Blonde. Not to mention Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, whose character Rachel Zane on Suits made the leap from paralegal to lawyer.

In the real world, the likes of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Gloria Allred, Amal Clooney, and Laura Wasser have all served as inspiration for women looking to thrive in the often-male-dominated legal profession. Shurooq continues in this tradition of strong female power-players as one of the first Emirati qualified lawyers with English-law education to join an international firm.

Transparency, accountability, trust and fair representation are key to Shurooq’s approach when it comes to her profession and her clients, although she freely admits that “law wasn’t always the plan.”

“My journey into law was inspired by a desire to bridge the gap for the diverse melting pot of nationalities right here in Dubai,” she explains. “The legal process can be overwhelming. For me, law felt more like a necessary calling – a realisation of where I could make the most impact by simplifying the system for others, strategically navigating its complexity to fully protect my clients’ interests.”

With a strong belief in the diversity of the community and country in which she was born and raised, Shurooq’s desire to “ensure every voice is truly heard and understood” has been  the foundation of a career that’s going from strength to strength. She credits the UAE with inspiring this fundamental part of herself. 

“The UAE’s commitment to tolerance stands out to me – a place where you can build a life with dignity, respect, and opportunity, no matter your background,” she shares. “It’s a daily reminder that diversity strengthens us and that belonging is earned through mutual respect and contribution.”

While the past eight months have been spent establishing her legal consultancy firm, Shurooq Zainal Legal Consultants LLC – indeed, she tells Villa 88, “I’m honoured that your magazine is the first media outlet to feature the opening of my consultancy” – it’s safe to say that her plan to start such an enterprise has been much longer in the making.

“After advising multinational corporations for two decades, including leading regional legal and compliance strategy, I founded Shurooq Zainal Legal Consultants (SZLC) to redefine how legal counsel supports business growth in the GCC and beyond,” Shurooq explained in a post on LinkedIn. 

“Drawing on extensive experience across the Middle East, Africa, India, and North Europe, our work bridges international standards with regional frameworks to deliver trusted and practical counsel,” she added. 

Until last year, Shurooq had been ensconced in Norway’s capital, Oslo, for 12 months, working as Head of Legal and Compliance for Porsche Norge. The relationship was destined to move beyond the boardroom onto a more personal footing, which happened when Porsche approached her to appear in their #DriveDefinesHer series, aimed at highlighting inspirational and ambitious women from the Gulf region who are making significant strides in their careers.

“Being featured in the #DriveDefinesHer series came at a meaningful moment for me,” Shurooq says. “After becoming the first female director with Porsche’s regional office for the Middle East, Africa, and India, it felt like a fitting milestone to celebrate both leadership and ambition. The experience reinforced that female leadership is about capability, courage, and collaboration, and that it thrives when brands recognise and celebrate talent.”

She also has nothing but praise for the Porsche leadership. “I’ve learned a lot – from the German work ethic to the precision and excellence that define sport-luxury brands – lessons that extend beyond the law into how I approach business, collaboration, and leadership,” she notes.

For Shurooq, leadership is a word that’s worth mulling over. As a woman who feels her country has already given her so much, she is keen to give back. One is left with the strong impression that it’s far from lip service when she says to younger Emirati women interested in a career in law, “If you’d like to chat about ideas or opportunities, I’m happy to help.” 

After all, connection is a theme she returns to again and again. “Let’s connect. Reach out to me”, her LinkedIn states, while her Instagram invites people to “DM” her.

“Balance is often framed as achieving a perfect 50/50, but that’s rarely necessary,” she says. “For young Emirati women and creatives juggling career, passion, and personal brand, the point isn’t balance as a destination – it’s momentum.”

Communicating with an openness that comes from a place of confidence – not only in herself, but in her journey too – Shurooq is not one to sugar-coat or dance around the truth about the challenges women face, not only in the workplace, but in a male-dominated environment like law. She has also made it her mission not to present a version of womanhood that feels forced, contrived, or unobtainable.

“I don’t claim I’ve mastered balance, and that’s okay,” she says. “The goal isn’t to balance every aspect at all times – it’s to stay connected to what you love and let your choices reflect your priorities in the moment.”

Visit shurooqzainal.com

Cover image: Shurooq Zainal wears Tiffany HardWear earrings, necklace, bracelet, and ring in white gold with pavé diamonds and Tiffany Eternity 28 mm cushion-shaped watch in white gold with diamonds, all by Tiffany & Co. Her dress is by Nanushka via Fabric of Society.

Photographer: Greg Adamski 

Jewellery: Tiffany & Co. 

Creative Producer: Beya Bou-Harb 

Stylist: Daniel Negron 

Styling Assistant: Anna Kandrashova 

Make-Up Artist: Karolina Kurowicka 

Hair Stylist: Kavya Rajpowell 

Head of Social Content: Junaynah El Guthmy

Location: Delano Dubai