Sabrina Jiwani

Where do you work and what is your practice area?

Sabrina: I am a senior attorney in-house at KBR and handle global litigation and arbitration with some labor and employment.

Where did you go to school?

Sabrina: Washington University in St. Louis.

What prompted you to join the Houston Bar Association?

Sabrina: When I moved back to Houston in January 2017, I knew I wanted to get involved in the larger Houston legal community. The HBA does so much amazing programming, whether it’s for seasoned lawyers or law students, and I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that actively raises up lawyers in Houston.

You are a 2022-2023 co-chair of the HBA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. What do you enjoy most about your role?

Sabrina: The part I enjoy most is either when I review the application packets from students for the summer internships or when we have the Summer Associate Luncheon. Those are the times you really see how much of a difference this program makes and being a co-chair and knowing I helped spearhead this program, which creates so many opportunities, is a really special feeling.

What DEI Committee programs, initiatives, or events are you most proud of?

Sabrina: Every year in April, the committee hosts a “bootcamp” for students going into their internships where they learn a little about the litigation and transactional practices and hear a panel of diverse attorneys discuss what they value in summer interns. In the last couple of years, we were able to overhaul that program and really tailor it to the students and give them the information they need to be successful in their summer internships.

What other Houston organizations are you involved with?

Sabrina: I am also involved in the local Houston chapter of the ACC (Association of Corporate Counsel), as well the IPN (Ismaili Professional Network).

What keeps you grounded outside of your practice?

Sabrina: Riding horses (I train at Memorial Park Hunters and there’s another lawyer in my barn!) and playing with my dog Bluesy!

What podcast, book, or film is on your go-to list?

Sabrina: The podcast Darknet Diaries has been on my go-to listen list recently. It’s about hackers, breaches, shadow government activity, hacktivism, cybercrime, and all the things that dwell on the hidden parts of the internet.

What advice do you have for young attorneys?

Sabrina: Prioritize self-care. You may think that putting in 12+ hours a day, working days, nights, weekends, and holidays is going to put you at the top of your career, but burnout is real. You need to take the time to take care of yourself and your mental health. Otherwise, all the hard work you put in to advance your career will only get sidelined because you’re not physically or mentally in a place to succeed. Leave the “lawyer you” in the office when you come home, unwind, take time to sit down with loved ones for dinner, and learn how to (appropriately and professionally) say no when you’re at your capacity. Being the best version of you outside of your practice will ultimately make you the best version of you in your practice.