Dalbouh, one of the first few Saudi women to become a legal consultant, is grateful to her father and husband for their support. Mais works for Ahmed Zaki Yamani law firm in Jeddah. She writes company contracts, studies cases and gives legal advice. Born and brought up in Jordan, is now a Saudi national. She studied law and worked as a lawyer before marriage. Her grandfather Nawash Eid Abu-Dalbouh was the first Jordanian tribal judge; her father was a lawyer, judge and a Jordanian parliament representative. “They inspired me to study law and become a lawyer,” she said. She married a Saudi 13 years ago and moved to Saudi Arabia. Mais, now a mother of three, has been working for the firm since 2003. Though she cannot defend clients in Saudi courts, she believes female lawyers, if permitted, could make a difference. Women would be more comfortable to talk about intimate details to them than to men. She feels law gives her a better understanding of Islam, economics, society and culture. “Law is a combination of different studies; it makes you look at things in a different way,” she said. It not only improves your job but your personality as well. She did find initial obstacles in her path to success but said that the government helped a lot by establishing new positions for Saudi women. “If Saudi women weren't wise enough, well-educated and capable they wouldn't have got these positions and jobs,” Mais said. She suggests that every woman must set her priorities right to succeed. “To me, my husband and children come first and then comes work, because they are my priority. I want to be a good example.” she said. “I try to cut down on social events to spend time with my family. I am the happiest mother when I see them happy.” As part of her future plans, she is heading to London to study Masters. When she comes back, she would also be a Lecturer in the first Women's law college being established by Dar Al-Hikma Private College in association with Ahmed Zaki Yamani law firm. The college is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the firm. __
