The courtroom was silent. Every gaze was fixed on the young lawyer standing before the bench, her voice steady yet infused with conviction. Each word carried the weight of her argument, resonating through the room and commanding attention. It wasn’t just the legal matter at hand that captivated those present—it was the powerful presence of Dr. Basmah Kutubaldin, a woman breaking barriers in a space that had long excluded her. For Dr. Kutubaldin, this moment transcended a mere legal battle. It was a defining example of her journey, a path marked by both triumphs and trials, shaped by strength and underscored by vulnerability.
Dr. Kutubaldin’s path to becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s most inspiring legal pioneers was anything but easy. As one of the first women in the Kingdom to pursue legal studies, she entered a profession traditionally dominated by men. Her sharp intellect and unwavering dedication to justice earned her respect, even among skeptics. Yet, beneath her resolute exterior lay moments of self-doubt and exhaustion. The societal expectations she carried often felt like an invisible weight, and the isolation of being a trailblazer was a challenge she faced with determination. For Dr. Kutubaldin, every step forward was a testament to her ability to rise above these obstacles and turn adversity into fuel for her ambitions.
Her story is one of contrasts: fierce determination balanced with vulnerability; immense strength refined by the lessons of struggle. In navigating these complexities, Dr. Kutubaldin has become not just a formidable lawyer but a beacon of hope and progress for a generation of aspiring female professionals. Her journey is a powerful reminder that true pioneers are not defined by the absence of weaknesses but by their resilience in overcoming them, creating new paths where none existed before.
Let us learn more about her journey:
Breaking Barriers and Shaping Legal History
Growing up in an era when women in Saudi Arabia were not permitted to study law, Dr. Kutubaldin harbored a bold vision that defied societal norms. From a young age, she was fascinated by the intricate interplay between law and religion, recognizing their profound influence on daily life in the Kingdom. Her aspiration to study law seemed improbable until a transformative moment in Saudi history: King Abdullah’s reforms, which allowed women to pursue legal education within the country.
Dr. Kutubaldin seized this opportunity, becoming part of the first cohort of women to graduate under the Kingdom’s legal studies program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international legal relations and legal studies, an achievement that marked a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s legal and social history. However, her journey was not without its challenges. Despite these hurdles, Dr. Kutubaldin has witnessed rapid societal progress. She credits Saudi leadership, particularly His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, for setting ambitious goals to empower women, increase their workforce participation, and elevate them to leadership positions. These reforms have enabled her to achieve career milestones she once deemed unimaginable. These efforts played a critical role in advocating for the proclamation that granted women the right to practice law on equal footing with men.
During her university years, Dr. Kutubaldin balanced her rigorous academic pursuits with hands-on experiences, contributing to high-profile projects with Aramco and actively participating in student governance. Her academic excellence earned her numerous accolades, including honors from the Dean, as well as recognition for her extensive community service and extracurricular involvement.
Her thirst for knowledge led her abroad, where she earned two master’s degrees from the University of Southern California: an LLM in Legal Studies and a Master’s in International Business Law. She further distinguished herself by completing a Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD/SJD) in Public Policy and Islamic Sharia at Loyola Marymount University. Not only was she the first in her cohort to graduate, but she also completed the program in record time, underscoring her exceptional academic rigor and dedication.
Pioneering Legal and Compliance Leadership
After years of academic achievements, Dr. Kutubaldin returned to Saudi Arabia, ready to accelerate her career and contribute to the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving legal landscape. Her advanced education equipped her with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights, enabling her to make an immediate impact.
Her first professional role was as Legal Counsel and Compliance Officer for a publicly listed financial and insurance company. At the time, compliance was a nascent field in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Kutubaldin was instrumental in navigating this heavily regulated environment, which involved oversight by multiple authorities, including the Central Bank (SAMA), public stock market authorities (CMA), and medical insurance regulators. Within a year, her exceptional performance earned her a promotion to manager, where she assumed the additional role of Corporate Governance Manager. In this capacity, she collaborated closely with the company’s Board of Directors, committees, and regulatory bodies.
Simultaneously, she served as Legal Counsel and Advisor to her alma mater, providing legal support to the university’s leadership. Despite her demanding corporate responsibilities, she also found time to teach part-time at the University of Dar Al Hekma and even launched a small clothing business during the COVID-19 pandemic as a creative outlet.
Dr. Kutubaldin’s career trajectory soared when she joined NESMA, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest and most diverse conglomerates. As the Head of the Central Legal Department at NESMA’s holding company, she built the legal department from scratch. She oversaw legal affairs for 46 wholly owned subsidiaries and over 100 affiliates across industries including renewable energy, infrastructure, contracting, recycling, hospitality, transportation, logistics, marine, aviation, and mining. Recognizing the growing importance of compliance, she established a compliance department, appointing its leadership and staff to ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks.
Growing up in an era when women in Saudi Arabia were not permitted to study law, Dr. Kutubaldin harbored a bold vision that defied societal norms. From a young age, she was fascinated by the intricate interplay between law and religion, recognizing their profound influence on daily life in the Kingdom. Her multidisciplinary expertise and leadership have been pivotal in strengthening NESMA’s legal, governance, and compliance functions.
Navigating Challenges as a Trailblazer
Dr. Kutubaldin’s journey has been marked by unique challenges, particularly in the early years of her career. As one of the first female lawyers in Saudi Arabia, she faced significant resistance in the courtroom. Judges, unaccustomed to seeing women argue cases, often struggled to adjust to this new reality. This conservative mindset created an environment where female lawyers had to work twice as hard to prove their credibility.
Similar challenges arose in interactions with governmental institutions, where employees were often unfamiliar with engaging with women in professional capacities. These obstacles extended to recruitment, with employers hesitant to hire female lawyers due to doubts about their effectiveness in litigation and governmental dealings.
Despite these hurdles, Dr. Kutubaldin has witnessed rapid societal progress. She credits Saudi leadership, particularly His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, for setting ambitious goals to empower women, increase their workforce participation, and elevate them to leadership positions. These reforms have enabled her to achieve career milestones she once deemed unimaginable.
While systemic barriers have largely diminished, Dr. Kutubaldin acknowledges that cultural challenges persist, particularly in rural or conservative areas. However, she remains optimistic that, under the Kingdom’s visionary leadership, these cultural barriers will continue to erode, paving the way for women’s full integration into every professional domain.
Comprehensive Legal Oversight and Strategic Advisory
Dr. Kutubaldin brings exceptional leadership to her role as General Legal Counsel, managing an extensive portfolio of legal responsibilities. While compliance and corporate governance are essential aspects of her department, her team’s core mission revolves around delivering impactful legal solutions.
The legal department tackles a spectrum of challenges, ranging from risk mitigation to dispute resolution, including arbitration, litigation, and mediation. They are pivotal in supporting both routine business-to-business engagements and high-stakes ventures, such as bidding for government tenders and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. In these scenarios, Dr. Kutubaldin’s team excels in drafting legal documentation, collaborating with local and international partners, and providing expert guidance on post-submission processes.
Beyond transactions, her department offers strategic legal counsel across NESMA Group’s diverse business units. This includes navigating labor matters, conducting internal investigations, and resolving disputes. The team also handles all labor-related litigation and settlements with precision.
Functioning as an in-house law firm, the legal department ensures NESMA Group’s operations are fortified with robust legal frameworks. They play an instrumental role in advising the board of directors, delivering quarterly reports that analyze legislative updates, assess their impact on the business, and recommend strategic adjustments to mitigate risks and ensure compliance across all departments.
Empowering Career Growth
Dr. Kutubaldin highlights the transformative impact of the Kingdom’s legal system, which has embraced full digitization through the Ministry of Justice. Updated laws and regulatory changes are readily accessible via government portals, accompanied by deadlines and grace periods to enable seamless corporate compliance.
Her team actively collaborates with compliance and corporate departments to ensure the alignment of constitutional documents with evolving regulations. Moreover, they adopt a proactive stance in shaping the legal landscape. For instance, they engage directly with regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Commerce, advocating for reforms in areas such as intellectual property law. By participating in public feedback initiatives on new legislation, Dr. Kutubaldin’s team ensures the Group’s interests are well-represented in the legal ecosystem.
To aspiring legal professionals, especially women, Dr. Kutubaldin offers invaluable advice: success lies in seizing opportunities and taking ownership of your career trajectory. Rather than waiting for tasks to come your way, actively seek responsibilities that challenge you to grow. With the right attitude, dedication, and drive, even the smallest roles can evolve into significant opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of self-determination, encouraging professionals to define their own potential and pursue goals that transcend initial expectations. This philosophy has empowered her to achieve remarkable milestones in her career within a relatively short timeframe.
