How Nabaa Is Redefining Global Legal Recruitment

In a world that increasingly demands global insight, cultural agility, and industry expertise, few embody the spirit of international excellence quite like Nabaa, a Managing Legal Recruiter and Headhunter at Executive Hunt for the US market. Born and raised in Dubai, educated in England, and now working across three continents, Nabaa’s career is the perfect example of how a multicultural upbringing and legal acumen can create not only a successful recruiter but a true connector of people and purpose.

Today, as she leads high level legal placements across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, Nabaa’s journey offers valuable lessons in professional growth, personal development, and the power of relationships in business.

An Early Global Perspective

Growing up in Dubai, Nabaa was immersed in a city that thrives on internationalism. With over 200 nationalities represented in the city, diversity was more than a value, it was everyday life. That global environment sparked an early appreciation for cross cultural connection, which would later become the cornerstone of her career.

After completing her early education, Nabaa moved to London, where she pursued legal studies and earned her Bachelor of Laws LLB with First Class Honours from the University of Brighton. Determined to deepen her legal knowledge, she went on to obtain a Master of Laws LLM from BPP Law School, graduating with Distinction and focusing on high level subjects such as Corporate Transactions, Private Acquisitions, and Debt Finance.

Her academic success was not just about credentials, it laid a solid foundation for understanding the technical and strategic nuances of the legal profession, giving her a unique edge as a recruiter who truly speaks the language of lawyers.

A Career Built on Purpose

Nabaa’s foray into recruitment was far from accidental. While working in administration roles during and after university, she discovered a passion for human interaction and problem solving. These early roles helped her hone her communication skills and develop a strong sense of client service, which would soon become central to her career.

She began her recruitment journey by building a specialist desk focused on TMT Technology Media and Telecoms legal professionals. From Commercial Tech and Data Privacy to Cybersecurity, IP, and Patent Law, Nabaa thrived in this dynamic and complex space.

Over the course of just 18 months, she built a strong database of legal talent, developed meaningful client relationships, and successfully placed high caliber candidates in top tier firms across Central London, including Magic Circle, Silver Circle, and major US firms. Her success was not just in the numbers, but in the trust she earned.

“It wasn’t just about filling roles,” she reflects. “It was about helping lawyers take the next best step in their careers, and helping firms find not just a skillset, but the right culture fit. That’s where I felt I could really make a difference.”

Scaling the International Ladder

Craving more international exposure, Nabaa transitioned into a role where she managed recruitment efforts across Europe and the Middle East. She worked with clients and candidates at all levels, providing dedicated support across multiple jurisdictions. This experience expanded her expertise and deepened her understanding of the nuances of international legal hiring.

Her ability to quickly adapt to different legal markets, understand local regulatory frameworks, and align candidate aspirations with firm expectations made her a standout performer.

“I always say that recruitment is part strategy, part empathy, and part timing. If you don’t take the time to understand what truly motivates someone, what they care about, what they want, you’ll never get the right match,” she says.

New York, New Chapter

In September 2025, Nabaa made another bold move, this time joining Executive Hunt as a Managing Legal Recruiter. Her role now centres on the US legal market, where she recruits across all practice areas and law firm tiers, from boutique firms to AM Law 100 powerhouses.

At Executive Hunt, Nabaa is known for her tailored and strategic approach. She does not believe in transactional recruitment. Instead, she builds long term relationships with both clients and candidates, taking the time to understand not just the immediate need, but the broader career or business goals behind each hire.

“Recruitment, for me, is not about speed, it’s about precision. I invest in the people I work with. That’s why they come back,” she says.

Her ability to navigate markets from New York to Dubai to London, combined with her legal background, makes her uniquely positioned to advise on complex hiring needs and lateral moves across jurisdictions.

The Person Behind the Professional

Beyond her impressive career achievements, Nabaa is driven by a deep commitment to personal growth, creativity, and connection. A strong advocate for living a well rounded life, she leads an active lifestyle, balancing a busy professional schedule with regular gym sessions, long walks with her dog Grey, and running.

“Physical activity keeps me grounded,” she shares. “It helps me stay focused, clear headed, and positive, especially in a fast paced, high pressure industry like recruitment.”

But Nabaa’s creativity doesn’t stop there. A passionate reader and writer, she often uses writing as a way to express ideas, explore new perspectives, and stay intellectually curious. Whether she’s journaling, writing articles, or reading legal thrillers, she finds that storytelling is as essential in her personal life as it is in her professional one.

She also loves meeting new people, attending social events, and engaging in meaningful conversations, a trait that no doubt makes her a natural connector and an effective recruiter.

“I believe people want to feel seen, heard, and understood,” she says. “That applies in life just as much as it does in recruitment. If you can make someone feel that, you’ve already succeeded.”

Final Thoughts: Redefining Recruitment with a Human Touch

In an industry often criticized for being transactional or impersonal, Nabaa is redefining what it means to be a recruiter. She brings legal knowledge, global experience, and emotional intelligence together in a way that makes both candidates and clients feel supported, understood, and empowered.

Her journey from Dubai to London to New York isn’t just a story of career progression. It’s a testament to the power of curiosity, authenticity, and purpose. Whether placing a corporate partner in a New York law firm, advising a London associate on a move to the Middle East, or helping a law graduate chart a new path, Nabaa’s approach is always thoughtful, tailored, and human.

As the legal world continues to evolve, with borders blurring and firms expanding across continents, professionals like Nabaa are exactly what the industry needs, global thinkers, trusted advisors, and true partners in progress.