My Brilliant Career... Top lawyer keeps her cool in a male-dominated world
Marelise van der Westhuizen is the chairperson of Norton Rose Fulbright
Tell me about your work as executive chairperson of Norton Rose Fulbright? As chairperson, I lead the board of Norton Rose Fulbright. I also sit on the board and audit committee of the global firm as the South African representative. I was the first South African chairperson of Norton Rose Fulbright to retain my practice. I just was not ready to give up what has been my passion for so many years. Our commercial litigation team is stuck with me for a while longer. I also hope to grow the firm's risk advisory practice, which I have led since its inception about three years ago. Do women in the legal sector face different challenges than men? I rarely hear a man ask for advice on how to combine parenthood and a career. When I was appointed as chairperson, I was surprised at clever lawyers needing to debate whether the term "chairman" is gender neutral or not. I thought we had moved beyond this, but our sector remains male dominated. I have been fortunate in my career, having encountere...
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