Season 1: Episode 4: Yara Karam

Lawyer from Lebanon and Legal Extern at Hogan Lovells

How did a LinkedIn recipe turn into her BigLaw externship?

Yara Karam and Amal Clooney have at least two things in common. They are both Lebanese. They are both international lawyers with a LL.M. degree. Yara is fluent in Arabic, French and English. How did a Rice Krispie recipe on LinkedIn lead to her externship at Hogan Lovells, where she was tasked to do cool things such as going to congressional hearings and joining a call with the Secretary of State of the United State? How did she leverage her language skills and work experience through existing connections on LinkedIn? What’s her advice on how to become a valuable addition at your first job?

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Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon in the Middle East. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have grown up there, as I believe it is one of the most stunning countries in the world. Admittedly, my perspective may be biased.

Why did you choose to study law?

I studied law because I lived in a country that was drowning in corruption and injustice. Witnessing that my entire life, I wanted to find a career that would help me change my home for the better. I saw the potential of my beloved country and realized that it wasn't being fully realized due to these issues. Therefore, I decided to focus on the law as a platform where I could thrive and make a significant impact. I recognized that no salvation could take place until there was a change in the judicial system of my country. As a result, becoming a lawyer evolved from an interest to a passion and a mission.

What languages do you speak?

I was taught French, English, and Arabic and attended a secular high school where I had to speak all three languages. At home, I speak Arabic with my parents, but I learned English from a young age. English was the language of instruction in school, where we had three hours of English classes per week. Growing up in Beirut, I feel privileged to have been exposed to a diverse city with complex dynamics that taught me to embrace cultural differences and the importance of accepting others. This environment also exposed me to different variations of the Arabic and French languages, as well as those who spoke only English in American schools in Lebanon. Traveling frequently helps me improve my English.

What do you do as a lawyer in Beirut?

In the law firm where I worked, I focused on corporate work, such as M&A transactions, but I asked to work across different fields so I could learn and decide what I liked. I did everything from criminal, transactional work to commercial litigation. I also worked on legal aid clinics and pro bono cases, providing legal aid at various clinics and giving advice to immigrant workers and refugees. I also provided legal advice to those affected by the Beirut explosion, helping them seek justice for their families. One notable case I worked on involved a defamation case against the President of Lebanon.

How did you find your externship at Hogan Lovells?

The story is a bit funny. I applied for externships on the law school Symplicity. Then, as a backup plan in case I didn't get any interviews, I messaged about 200 people on LinkedIn and talked to many others. However, I really wanted to work at Hogan Lovells, knowing that they have an Arabic-speaking client base. I discovered that I already had a connection on LinkedIn with a partner in the D.C. office. He randomly popped up on my feed and posted a picture of Rice Krispie treats recipe. That happens to be my favorite snack. In the post, he wrote "DM for recipe". I messaged him, introduced myself as a Georgetown student, and asked him if I can both the recipe and an interview for an externship. He was like, “Oh haha, sure you can.” We scheduled an interview the next day at his office. I had two subsequent interviews with people at the firm and we got along well. Then he offered me the extern position.

What work do you do as a legal extern?

I work with an incredible team in government affairs, government relations, and public affairs. My role involves listening to congressional hearings, drafting memoranda to help clients understand what was discussed, and assisting with congressional investigations. My partner has experience in congressional investigation practices, lobbying, and representing governments on matters related to the U.S. Congress and the executive branch. I'm new to this role, but I'm loving it already. In fact, I recently used my Arabic language skills to assist a client in Saudi Arabia. I even had the opportunity to speak with the Secretary of State on a call. The team has been incredibly welcoming and inclusive, treating me like a valued member of the team rather than just an intern. I'm grateful for this experience, which would not have been possible without my LL.M. degree.

How do you become a valuable addition to your firm as a new lawyer?

It's also important to know how to market yourself to potential employers without selling yourself short. In my case, I emphasized my Arabic language skills because Hogan Lovells has many Saudi clients and no one in the office speaks Arabic. By leveraging those skills, I was able to provide a unique perspective that the firm found valuable. This international perspective is particularly useful for law firms with international business since their clients come from diverse backgrounds and they need people who can cater to their needs.

My international legal training and experiences I had in Lebanon, the cases I worked on, the languages I speak, and the diverse people I encountered help me do my job well at Hogan Lovells. The challenges I faced coming from my home country taught me to adapt quickly to different situations and solve problems.

Why did you choose to study law in the United States?

I chose to study at Georgetown Law, mainly because it is in the public interest capital of the world. Pursuing an LLM degree would be an investment in my own future. I hope it would provide me with unlimited opportunities to network with talented and like-minded people. The US is also a place that prioritizes the inclusion of different cultures and backgrounds. It feels like home and brings me a sense of peace. It is important for me to do work that builds bridges between different cultures. My goal is to pass on what I learn and experience at Georgetown to my country. I believe this experience will give me the confidence and standing I need to become a leading practitioner in my field in the Middle East.

What is your impression of the legal profession in the US? Are there any legal TV shows and movies inform you of that impression?

Very competitive, and complex. I watch a tons of legal TV shows. My favorite one is Suits. I love the Good Wife. I think I watched and finished it in a month. I used to not go to school and just watched it. I love Boston Legal. Scandal. How to Get Away with Murder. Better Call Saul.

If you can imagine an ideal professional life, what would that life look like for you?

Maintaining work-life balance is essential for me. Regardless of where life takes me, I believe that having a happy family, being content with my work, and maintaining my social life are all crucial. Achieving a balance between my personal and professional life is challenging for lawyers, but I believe it's possible depending on the field I choose to enter.

Who is your inspiration in the law?

I would say Amal Clooney because first she is Lebanese, and I can relate to her background. She represents victims of mass atrocities, genocide, and sexual violence, and has worked on many landmark human rights cases, including one where she helped convict an ISIS member for committing genocide against a community. Although her practice is different from mine, the fact that she is Lebanese makes her very relatable and inspiring. She did a LL.M. degree, and she married George Clooney.

Is that part of the inspiration as well?

Oh, Yeah, I'm kind of looking for my “George” too. Haha.

What are the top three physical things people who study in abroad in law school should bring from home?

I rely heavily on my phone and computer, and appropriate clothing, if the weather here is different from home. Maintaining relationships with friends and family back home has been crucial for me during my time here.