Celebrating the incredible women of Lexlink this International Women’s Day
This year’s International Women’s Day carries the theme ‘Give to Gain’.
What does this mean exactly? Well, the idea is that when people and organisations generously give their time, trust and support to women, it creates more opportunities for them.
In the legal profession, this might look like someone sharing their experience or knowledge with junior solicitors, offering encouragement and credit where it’s due, giving chances to progress to senior roles and providing access to training and mentoring.
We encourage all of this every day across the Lexlink network and to demonstrate the results, we invited the women of Lexlink to share some of their experiences.
They speak about the advice they would give their younger selves, the women who have influenced their path and the role our network has played along the way.
Maristela SA Rossetti, President and Member of the Executive Committee of Lexlink, and Partner at Rossetti Advogados, Brazil
“I would tell my younger self to believe in her own path and not be afraid to take up space at the table. For many years, I thought I needed to have all the answers before speaking up. Today I know that growth comes from showing up, making mistakes, learning along the way and trusting your intuition. Many women have shaped who I am, both personally and professionally. From mentors and colleagues to the strong sisters I have, I learned that true strength can be kind, supportive, and resilient at the same time. Their encouragement gave me confidence during moments when I doubted myself.
“Lexlink has been more than a professional network to me — it has been a community. Through the relationships I built and the trust I received, especially serving as President, I grew not only as a professional but also as a person. Working within such a diverse international environment also challenged me to understand and embrace different cultures and perspectives. The collaboration and friendships within Lexlink constantly remind me that leadership is, above all, about self-confidence, connection, purpose, and growing together.”
“I would tell my younger self to protect your energy as carefully as your time. Sustainable performance requires recovery and the ability to say ‘no’.”
“I’d tell my younger self to keep the faith and embrace every experience as a learning opportunity, even the chaotic moments. I now understand that setbacks, whether professional or personal, were not failures but stepping stones towards resilience and growth. My mum has been my greatest inspiration. I’ve watched her face personal and health hardships with hope and resilience. She has always pushed me forward and supported me at every step of the road. Her strength and unconditional love are a big part of my foundation. Since I became Secretary General of Lexlink International in late 2022, the professional and human experience has been truly rewarding. This has allowed me to work with beautiful, committed and driven people around the globe.”
“My advice is particularly aimed at young female lawyers in Germany. The world of German business law is still predominantly male, and law firms are often reluctant to give female lawyers a chance. Don’t let this intimidate you. Be confident and demand the same benefits as your male colleagues. Female lawyers, especially mothers, tend to be highly productive and focused on effective work, and can easily compete with their male counterparts.
“I would tell my younger self to look people in the eyes and let them see exactly who you are, because who you are is already amazing. Trust that your authenticity is your greatest strength. My mother has been my greatest source of strength. She battled cancer and survived two serious car accidents yet continued pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. She even wrote papers in the agriculture industry and advanced in her career despite those challenges. Her resilience and determination inspire me every single day. Lexlink has allowed me to connect with incredible women and men and learn from their experiences. It is a vibrant, supportive community where we uplift one another professionally and celebrate each other personally.”
“I would encourage my younger self to keep asking questions and embrace every opportunity to learn. I would also remind her to claim a seat at the table and build strong connections along the way. Many women have helped me in my personal and professional growth. I have learned from them in many ways, through direct mentorship and guidance, and by watching how they navigate challenges. Their example has taught me resilience and motivated me to keep growing. Lexlink has allowed me to connect with colleagues around the world, especially women, fostering collaboration and expanding my international perspective.”
“I would tell my younger self to trust her instincts earlier and not wait for external validation before making decisions. Experience matters, but confidence grows faster when you allow yourself to take responsibility before you feel fully ready.”
“I would tell my younger self that there will be moments of doubt, but to stay grounded. The discipline, values and work ethic you carry will open doors you cannot yet see. From my mother, I learned that real power is self-mastery. Everything else follows. I joined Lexlink for the value proposition it offers: expanding collaboration perspectives beyond borders, transforming professional collaboration into strategy and turning relationships into long-term professional capital.”
“I would tell my younger self not to bother about what others think of you. Just follow your heart and do your thing. One of the female senior partners at my former firm helped me grow by setting an example of being a partner in a commercial law firm and having kids. Lexlink is a great international network to meet other lawyers and exchange ideas about growing your business and managing a commercial law firm.”
“I would tell my younger self that every small step counts towards your success, so don’t stress so much over everything. Remain consistent! Lexlink has opened my perspective to a bigger world and network of lawyers doing things I have never heard of. This has confirmed my belief that anything is possible!”
“I would tell my younger self to spend less time worrying about keeping everyone else comfortable and more on my own priorities for a better balance in life. There was a woman in my professional life who supported me early on in my career by recognising my abilities and referring clients to me. This boosted my confidence and played an important role in my success by demonstrating that I could add value to the firm. During my time in Lexlink, I have been inspired by and had the pleasure to interact and work directly with various female lawyers who have excelled in their fields while also being fun, kind and value-driven. Sharing these qualities with them encourages me to keep working hard and building a good reputation.”