We are Women. We are built for Success.

For many years, many of the qualities that most women share have been viewed as a weakness or flaw. Our empathy, our sense of collaboration, our attention to detail, and even our capacity to multi-task, have been written off as a lack of assertiveness, indecisiveness, or distractions from the "real work". But we are not weak. In the legal profession – particularly in high-stakes areas like M&A – we have faced great adversity, even during the events of recent years when many of us had to balance demanding careers with working from home, all while being the "default parent".

As the world evolves, so do the perceptions and values that shape our industries. While far from perfect, today’s legal profession offers more opportunities than ever for us to leverage our strengths, rather than suppress them, to advance in our careers. We are no longer just adapting to the rules of the game; we are redefining them. 
So, what are the qualities that set us apart – the very ones that will drive our growth and success?

Empathy. For many years, empathy was seen as a great flaw, particularly in the legal industry, where cut-throat negotiations have been the norm to get ahead. Women were seen as "too emotional", as if that were some debilitating disease that we needed to cure in order to gain the title of "excellent lawyer". But we now know that empathy, and our capacity to understand and connect with people, is a great tool that can enable difficult negotiations, inspire teams, and help us consolidate client relationships. Empathy is our capacity to connect with others on a deeper level, to understand different perspectives, and to foster trust – an essential skill in negotiations, leadership, and building strong professional relationships.

Collaboration. We live in a world where, in order to survive and thrive even, we need to know how to work and collaborate with other people. Collaboration is also an innate quality in many women, as we are empathetic beings who value connection. But collaboration has, in the past, been seen as a lack of assertiveness, given that in our goal to collaborate, we differ to the opinions’ and needs of others, from time to time. In the spirit of collaboration, we do not seek to impose, but to offer a hand and aim to build something together. The developments of recent years have taught us that in order to grow, we need to rely on teamwork, form strong alliances, and build sustainable relationships.

Risk Awareness. Many women approach situations or problems holistically in order to assess all angles and potential outcomes; this may sometimes involve taking time to have a cautious and careful review of matters. This, however, should not be confused with being "risk-averse" – it is about being "risk-aware". In the legal profession, particularly in M&A, many times we are faced with analyzing the minute details of a particular deal and identifying the risks, while addressing potential contingencies to protect our clients. Women’s keen sense of risk and our rounded approach allow us to navigate complex challenges, make strategic decisions with foresight, and create sustainable, balanced solutions that promote long-term success.

Attention to Detail. Although this quality has often been dismissed as a weakness – labeling women as "too meticulous" or "too picky" – it has long been a hallmark of excellence, particularly in the legal profession. In M&A, small details can make or break a deal, and women’s keen attention to detail in due diligence and contract drafting has, time and again, led to well-structured agreements, stronger protections, and fewer post-closing disputes. In an industry where precision is everything, this isn’t just a skill – it’s an advantage.

Multi-tasking. As attention to detail, multi-tasking has gained recognition as an essential skill in recent years. Previously seen as a woman’s "lack of focus", we know understand and praise women’s natural capacity to handle several complex tasks simultaneously. The ability to jump from one task to another, and back again, makes women highly efficient and valued in fast-paced environments, such as an M&A transaction. We excel at managing multiple tasks, even in high-pressure situations, while maintaining clarity, precision, and focus.

Emotional Intelligence. Growing up I was always characterized as "emotional" simply because I had high emotional intelligence. For many years I believed this to be a weakness – something that I needed to fix in order to become a successful M&A attorney. But I now realize know that it’s precisely my emotional intelligence that has allowed me to thrive. It has made me strong leader, a more effective negotiator, and a professional who can handle pressure, navigate conflicts, and read the unspoken dynamics in the room.

With society’s evolution, particularly in recent years, we have seen a higher demand for professionals who embody the abovementioned qualities. More clients are favoring law firms that offer diverse teams, with varied perspectives and backgrounds.

We know that diversity increases performance, output, and overall revenue. We have also seen a boom in women-owned and women-led businesses, which not only value diverse teams but also recognize the unique strengths that women bring to the table. This isn’t about gender bias – despite what some may suggest – but rather about acknowledging the strategic, analytical, and relational skills that drive successful deal-making and long-term business growth.

Lastly, as Millennials and Gen Z continue to reshape the labor market, there is a growing preference for emotionally intelligent professionals, including lawyers.

Emotional intelligence is increasingly valued over technical expertise or traditional cognitive intelligence, especially in leadership roles, where adaptability, empathy, and strategic decision-making are essential.

Yes, the world is far from perfect, and women continue to face significant challenges. However, we are strong, we are immensely capable, and we need to embrace the qualities that define us: empathy, collaboration, resilience, versatility, and foresight. We are women. We are built for success.

Ana Sáenz is a senior manager in the corporate and commercial division of EY Law Costa Rica.
She specialises in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and foreign and domestic investment.
She holds a Master of Laws from Duke University, as well as a law degree summa cum laude from the Universidad Latina and a degree in economics from Bard College.

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