We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yasmine Abdel-Aal. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yasmine below.
Yasmine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a customer success story with us?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, each with their own remarkable success story. One such client is the production team behind Americanish film, whom I met a decade ago when they were just starting out without much funding. Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, including the setback of the pandemic disrupting their production plans, Americanish remained resilient. Their determination and creativity ultimately paid off in 2023 when they were acquired by Sony. Their journey is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Another client that comes to mind is VELA, a company founded by two sisters with a passion for creating beautiful scarves and elevating modest fashion. Despite encountering endless obstacles such as copyright infringement and business interference, they remain steadfast in their commitment to their vision and their ethics. Today, Vela has grown into a successful company that not only produces exquisite products but also actively supports charitable causes, using their platform to shed light on causes that are often forgotten, including Palestine and Sudan. Their story exemplifies the transformative impact of resilience and dedication.
I had the privilege of supporting the founding of Poderistas, a groundbreaking non-profit organization formed by a group of Latinas. Their mission to empower Latinas through storytelling, community engagement, and advocacy has been nothing short of inspiring. Through their efforts, they work in shifting cultural narratives and inspiring a lifestyle of civic participation among Latinas. Each client I work with, serves as a source of inspiration for me, demonstrating the power of resilience and innovation in pursuit of meaningful change.
Lastly, let me share the story of Honey & Hive Boards, started by a talented marketing professional just before the pandemic shut down, began as Nancy Serag’s side project to showcase gorgeous charcuterie boards. Today, Honey & Hive Boards has evolved into a thriving grazing table and charcuterie business, garnering recognition from renowned brands like Crate and Barrel. With every challenge, Honey & Hive seizes every opportunity to adapt services to the changing climate and consistently innovates. When faced with the choice between taking the easy route or the professional one, they always choose professionalism, and their success speaks volumes.
Reflecting on each of these clients, as well as the countless others I’ve had the privilege of working with over the last 16 years, I’m reminded of the incredible heart and passion that these business owners, artists, and creators bring to their work. It’s a true testament to their resilience and innovation, and I feel privileged to have been a part of their journeys. If given the chance, I could talk about each of them for hours, as they inspire me every day with their dedication to making a meaningful impact in their respective fields.
Yasmine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a lawyer specializing in trademark, transactional entertainmnet law, copyright, internet, and outside general counsel. My journey into the legal profession was a touch unconventional with a degree in the sciences and a fervent love for the arts– without any knowledge on how to reconcile what came next.
Following a fulfilling law school experience, I had the privilege of working at a traditional intellectual property firm, where I learned from experienced veterans in the field of intellectual property. Their invaluable mentorship imparted knowledge and wisdom that laid the foundation for my career. Later, I expanded my expertise in contract and entertainment law during my time in Qatar before returning to Southern California to establish my own firm. In 2018, I merged my firm with that of my mentor’s, Peter Kaufman, and together we formed Kaufman Abdel-Aal LLP. This merger allowed us to combine our collective experience and expertise to better serve our clients in Southern California and beyond. Our firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive and accessible legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Life can be chaotic sometimes, but I find grounding in gratitude for the support system I have—from my loving family and dear friends to my law partner and clients. Their unwavering support fuels my dedication to serving my clients and striving to make a positive impact in the legal community.
On a personal level, the role which gives me the most pride is being Layla and Kareem’s mother. They serve as my greatest teachers, reminding me of the importance of presence and the healing power of laughter and dance. As a lover of words and music, I strive to find beauty in life while imperfectly advocating for the protection and freedom of creative expression for my clients and the freedom from shackles of oppression for all fellow humankind.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
My friend, Erin Zaskoda, and I, were part of our law school’s Intellectual Property society, where we had the pleasure of inviting Peter, a veteran entertainment lawyer, to be on a panel. Our paths remained intertwined, and upon my return from Qatar, Peter encouraged me to set up my own firm, reminding me that we are all artists in our own right. Subsequently, his firm brought me on as of counsel for the acquisition of Death Row Records. Eventually, in 2018, we made the decision to merge our firms. Throughout this journey, Peter has been more than a mentor and colleague; he’s stood by me in personal challenges, supported my professional growth, and become a dear friend.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I’ve had to unlearn, and one that I’m still in the process of deprogramming every day, is imposter syndrome. Despite having a strong support system, I often find myself questioning my own worth and expertise. Who am I to offer guidance on someone’s passion? Who am I to charge for providing legal counsel that everyone deserves to have access to? Who am I to be interviewed by students or a publication? A few years ago, a mentor of mine, Jodi, shared some words that have stuck with me ever since. She said, “Wow, do you really think you’ve fooled everyone into believing you’re smarter and more competent than you really are?” Ironically, her words made me realize that thinking that way was not only detrimental, but also could be arrogant. It forced me to confront the fact that I was underestimating my own accomplishments and downplaying my ability to be of service.
In moments of self-doubt, I remind myself of why I chose this path in the first place—to be there for my clients as they pour their hearts, time and savings into a dream, idea, or venture. Sometimes, I have to put aside those insecurities and trust that they are choosing to seek my counsel for a reason. In those moments, I channel that energy into doing my best to support and advocate for them.
Unlearning imposter syndrome is an ongoing journey, but I’ve come to understand that embracing my skills and expertise isn’t about arrogance; it’s about acknowledging my worth and providing access to quality legal counsel and insights to those who need them. And this is something that so many women, especially, go through, so I try to pay that wisdom forward. Sharing my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way is a way of offering support and encouragement to others who may be struggling with this or similar challenges. It’s important to me to create a supportive community where we can lift each other up, celebrate one another’s achievements, and collectively thrive together. I often find strength in thinking of people around the world enduring immense hardships in Palestine, Haiti, Sudan, and Congo. It puts my challenges into perspective and reminds me of the privilege and responsibility I have to be a springboard for those trying to make a positive impact in their fields. Life has had its humbling curveballs, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to continually grow and learn, both as a person and a lawyer.
Contact Info:
- Website: kalawpartners.com
- Instagram: kalawpartners
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoabdelaal
Image Credits
Americanish/Sony; Mint + Laurel/Kinda Hibrawi; VELA TM/civitatestres; Honey & Hive Boards LLC/Reem Abousaif; Behind the Mask/Hulu; Samira Idroos