Unwavering ambition holds the potential to drive an individual to zeniths of success. Exhibiting such ambition inadvertently inspires others and lays down a path for them to follow.
This edition, ‘Top Five Proficient Women Leaders, Shaping the Industry in 2022’, brings to you a list of such ambitious trailblazers who’re nothing less than a symbol of inspiration. One prominent name among these women is that of Henzie Heally, Partner and Managing Director at Mezzle, Middle East.
Henzie is a an accomplished and skilled, common law qualified lawyer residing in Dubai and catering to a global clientele. Her academic and professional backgrounds showcase remarkable potential having earned a degree in Business Management from Canada and an LLB with Honors from New Zealand.
She was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2014. Later, she moved to Dubai in 2014 after being offered a permanent role at an international law firm she interned at.
“In 2019, I prayed for a job that I would really love, and God pushed me into a situation where I was compelled to start my own business. Even though I did not know it at the time, it was the answer to my prayers,” Henzie expressed.
This marked the onset of her own legal consultancy and an organic paint company, both of which have been projecting substantial success and growth. In 2021 Henzie merged the legal consultancy with a UK firm, rebranded it, and is now a Partner, and Managing Director of, Mezzle Middle East.
A Business that Empowers
Mezzle is a legal consultancy which is seeking to disrupt the provision of legal services and the way that lawyers conduct their business. It provides a platform through which lawyers can join and continue to service their clients, without having to worry about the endless non-billable hours taken up by admin and running a business all by themselves.
Mezzle allows lawyers to join a global brand, have the support that they need to provide the highest level of service to their clients efficiently and effectively, while having the freedom to enjoy life and be their own boss.
As a partner, and Managing Director of Mezzle Middle East, it is Henzie’s role to lead the team and ensure the company in the Middle East runs smoothly. Along with Shameeg Dollie, her most trusted associate, Henzie is the point of contact for the local lawyers and strive daily to drive the business forward.
“Shameeg is the backbone of the organization, not me, but together we work as a team to ensure that everything runs smoothly and our legal consultants, and clients, are all happy,” Henzie states.
Creating a better world for lawyers inspires Henzie. “If I can be successful and help others to be successful while reclaiming their own lives, that motives me to work harder. I know what it’s like to be chained to a desk, making the same salary, month in and month out and working 24/7,” Henzie asserts.
“There is no moving forward until one puts the time and the effort to make partner. Depending on the traditional law firm, this could take ages. With Mezzle you become your own boss with the backing of a big firm. You reduce your non-billable time through innovation, and are only accountable to yourself, with the ability to make big bucks, since we work on a consultancy model, with the lawyer doing the work retaining the lion’s share of the fees.”
Accolades that Instill Inspiration
Mezzle has two offices, one in the UK and one in the Middle East and is already in talks for opening two more in other locations within the next 12 months. Mezzle Middle East has won Best Corporate & Commercial Law Firm 2022 during the 2022 Global Excellence Awards. It was named one of the 5 Best Law Firms of 2022 and one of the most Innovative Law Firms to Watch in 2022.
Henzie has been named as one of the Top 10 Business Leaders to Follow in 2021 and received this title twice on two separate occasions for 2022. She was also featured in various magazine articles and received an award of honor from the Women’s Investment Empowerment Forum and Lex Falcon Award earlier this year.
“While each of these have been notable achievements, if one considers that all of this has happened within the last 6 months, we can call that an achievement of achievements,” Henzie exclaims.
Sharing one of the highlights of her career, Henzie says, “At the Female Founders Initiative in Dubai, I was asked to speak about setting up a business in the UAE and the experiences I came across being a woman in the legal industry.”
“I was honest and said that I never felt that being a woman in law hindered my success and it was quite the opposite. I know a lot of women have had a hard time in the workplace and I was not trying to downplay anyone else’s experience. I thought that the women that were there would criticize me for saying something like that, but instead they cheered. It was so nice that so many women could be so happy about the experience of one and share in the happiness of their success, that being a woman was such a positive thing in my experience, compared to the experiences that some others have had. That really touched my heart and reiterated my views that we can always be happy for each other and share in each other’s success,” Henzie expressed.
Championing Adversities
Sharing her insight on the changes and challenges brought about by the pandemic, Henzie says, “Lawyers have realized that they don’t need to be in an office, chained to their desks. They can work remotely while spending time with their families, or simply doing more of what they love.”
“The challenge comes with starting a fresh with a new firm and all the administrative liabilities that comes along with it. Considering the nature of our work, we can work from anywhere in the world. Lawyers do not need to be in an office for 5 days a week, working ridiculous hours, for the same amount of pay each month, waiting for the day they’ll make partner and at what sacrifice?” Henzie exclaims.
Imparting Compassion and Wisdom
We asked Henzie about the one thing she wishes she had known about women in her line of work before she started working. To which she said, “Despite common misconceptions that women are catty and jealous, they also band together to support and help each other.”
“If you are nice, people tend to be nice back. In my opinion hose that don’t wish you well, are not the type of people that will succeed because you should wish the same for them and each should help the other through their success.”
“There is nothing I wish I had known about women in my line of work before starting. I have always thought the same and tried to keep competition and negative thinking out of my life. Treat others the way you want to be treated and they will do the same,” Henzie expresses.
Bequeathing her valuable advice to the next generation of female leaders, Henzie says, “You can do it. Be the leader you were borne to be. Get yourself a good support group of other female leaders and other female founders that can guide and inspire you, that you can support and that can support you back and grow together.”
“I thank these amazing women who’ve always lent their effort and support to me – Rosheen Ngorima, the Owner of Neeps Consulting; Rosa Aygun, Founder of Anqa; Oksana Tashakova, Founder of QPQ; and Rahil Khoobroo, professional make-up artist and professional photographer.”
“Being at the top can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself with people that genuinely want you to succeed and that you geneuinely want to succeed and work together to make it happen so that you are all on the top. Its nicer to celebrate success together,” Henzie concludes.
