A chamber meeting "The female face of the legal profession during the war", organized by the Ukrainian Bar Association, took place on March 14 in the Kyiv restaurant SANPAOLO.

In previous years, the UBA used to hold the Women's Leadership Forum, which was a platform for inspiration, networking and revealing leadership potential. This year's event was a rethinking of this tradition in view of the realities of wartime.

New realities and their impact on the life of a female lawyer became the topic of discussion that evening. Over a cup of tea and coffee, female lawyers, legal advisers, heads of legal departments of companies and other representatives of the legal profession reflected on the following issues:

• Woman, business, and war — mission is possible
• Where to look for inspiration and motivation?
• How to adapt plans and priorities in conditions of uncertainty?
• Work-life balance: is it relevant in today's conditions?
• Life in two countries: about the choice "to go or stay", life in two countries, and feelings of guilt

Speakers of the event were:

• Natalia Lysa, General Counsel & Compliance Officer of Nestlé Ukraine and Moldova;
• Viktoriya Ogryza, Head of the legal department of PepsiCo companies in Ukraine;
• Valeria Kolomiets, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine for European Integration;
• Viktoriya Fomenko, partner, head of tax and customs practice of INTEGRITES;
• Inna Khomych, Head of the Legal department of Nova Poshta group of companies.

The meeting was moderated by Olga Prosyanyuk, a member of the UBA Board, managing partner of AVER LEX.

The women told how and where the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion jumped out at them, what trials they went through during the first year of the great war, what changed in their lives during that time. Lawyers also shared their experience of how they now manage to combine business or work with family responsibilities. Not only the speakers but also those who came as listeners joined the conversation.

At the end of the meeting, the guests told what inspires and motivates them in the current difficult times:

Viktoriya Ogryza: "I am learning to play the violin. Last year I was on a business trip to Barcelona. In one place, I listened to a boy play the violin. It was an instant inspiration. The violin is hard, but I'm practical. I decided that this is how my brain will train, I will do something new, I will be focused on something. It's so difficult that I'm interested in the process itself."

Inna Khomych: "As my coach taught me, you need to focus on the five main drivers of your behavior. So my main driver is "be strong." When I compare myself to people who are much worse off, I say to myself, “Hey, pull yourself together! You can! You will do it!". I clearly understand what can motivate me. Someone has a different driver. You need to choose something of your own".

Viktoriya Fomenko: “[I am helped by] a daily routine, a plan for the day when I can do some routine things. I realized that a routine is very organizing and helps me gather my thoughts. And feedback motivates me. It is quite important for me when people see the value of my advice and actions. This applies to both professional activity and private life. Any feedback inspires and motivates me, and I also try to give it to my family and colleagues."

Natalia Lysa: "I think people give me life energy, these are their stories that were heard today. I also say to myself: "Natalia, just do it. Everything is not so complicated and dramatic for you yet - you will manage." These real human stories, stories of victories - because they are already victories - inspire me the most."

Valeria Kolomiets: "A few months ago, I would have said that [I am inspired by] yoga and meditation. Now I can say with confidence that it is studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School. I understand that this is incredibly driving me now, because, first of all, it gives me the opportunity to look at any life and work situation as something bigger and systemic and to understand in perspective what and how to do. Secondly, new knowledge is simply fantastic, it gives the desire to move forward."

Olga Prosyanyuk: "If we talk about personal things, then my husband inspires me, my children inspire me. Speaking of professional ones, you have no idea how happy I am, and how much I love my job. When I get into a court session - I accompany criminal cases - that's all for me, nothing else exists for me, and I forget about everything else. There is only me and the process. I come to the office - I love everyone. My team inspires me. My clients inspire me, even though our practice is difficult. This is what I live for."

The Ukrainian Bar Association plans to continue a series of events on the challenges for women and their achievements during the full-scale war and is open to suggestions and ideas on this topic.