How to Become a Lawyer in the US
Online via Webex
The Department of Political and International Studies at the School of Arts and Sciences invites you to the talk event as part of its Guest Speaker Series.
About the event
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This talk will cover key aspects of adapting to different study methods, preparing for US bar exams, and navigating the American legal landscape. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and rewards of practicing law in the US and will receive practical advice for anyone considering a similar path in international law.
About the speaker
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Paola Hamieh
Lawyer at Utah State Bar
Paola Hamie Farhat is a seasoned attorney registered with the Utah State Bar, with extensive expertise in corporate law, litigation and intellectual property across the MENA region. Holding a Master of Laws from Georgia State University, Paola has deepened her legal knowledge with certifications in mediation and public law from Saint Joseph University in Beirut and the University of Paris I (Pantheon-Sorbonne), where she also pursued a PhD in Public Law with a focus on administrative reform in Lebanon.
Her career spans over two decades, including key leadership roles at law firms and multinational organizations. From 2022 to 2023, she served as the Head of the Corporate Department at Abboud and Associates in Beirut, where she led a team on matters ranging from regulatory compliance to corporate governance. Her experience as an in-house consultant for Kay Co SAL and her role as a corporate lawyer at Abboud and Associates further honed her skills in mergers, acquisitions and corporate structuring.
Paola’s recent role as the General Regional Counsel for Unilever in the NALI region (North Africa, Levant and Iraq) from September 2023 to June 2024 reflects her capacity to manage complex, multi-regional legal challenges and ensure compliance for multinational corporations. Her legal insight is complemented by her fluency in Arabic, French and English, making her an asset in both local and international settings. Paola is also a contributor to legal publications and possesses a strong background in project management within fragile environments, further attesting to her versatility and commitment to the legal profession.