Isabel is the Managing Partner of AB & David Ghana and current Vice President of the Greater Accra Regional Bar Association (GAR). She is a purpose-driven, family-oriented woman of faith who stays unflinchingly committed to the causes she believes in.
Isabel’s decision to run for President of the GAR is inspired by a vision to build the Regional Bar into a dynamic, responsive, and people-centered association
Recognized by Chambers Global and IFLR 1000 for her legal work, Isabel has established an excellent career in consulting on policy, legislative, and institutional reform in Africa.
A member of the Law Firm Management Committee of the International Bar Association Committee, she is an advocate for and speaks frequently at local and international fora on the need to elevate practice standards in Africa. Significantly, Isabel led AB & David’s campaign to become the first law firm in Africa to secure the Law Society of England and Wales Lexcel management standard, an accreditation awarded to law firms that meet the highest management and client care standards.
Legal Practice and Expertise
Isabel envisions a legal industry that reflects an appreciation of the global economy, changing trends, and high professional and ethical standards. Her legal expertise has seen her at the forefront of landmark assignments across Africa, including advice on the development of a new Public Service Commission law for Ghana and public procurement and concession reform in Liberia.
Past and Current Leadership Achievements
Isabel is a member of the CPD Committee of the Bar and has served on important committees of the Bar and the Judicial Service, including the Committee for the development of CPD Guidelines, the GAR Review Committee on the proposed Legal Profession Bill and the Chief Justice’s Committee on the review of paralegal curriculum for the Judicial Service.
Isabel is a mentor to many young lawyers. Apart from spending time with family, Isabel writes a blog where she shares life lessons for personal and professional growth. (isabelsjourneyofdiscovery)
Her leadership has also been recognized through several awards. In 2023, she received the coveted Robert Legh Excellence in Leadership Award (conferred by the African Legal Awards), which celebrates lawyers who inspire change and drive innovation. In 2015, Isabel was a double award recipient of the Law Digest Africa Managing Partner/Young Managing Partner award. She is recognized as a Woman In Law to watch by the Institute for African Women In Law (IAWL). Isabel has served on several committees of the bar, including the Committee for the development of CPD Guidelines, the GAR Review Committee on the proposed legal profession bill and more recently, the Chief Justice Committee on the review of paralegal curriculum for the Judicial Service. Her commitment to inclusivity influenced the firm’s decision to open its doors to and support a visually impaired brilliant young lawyer start an exciting legal career with the firm. She is a part-time lecturer in Law Practice Management at the Ghana School of Law, chairs the Board of Ecobank Retirement Fund, and serves as a member of the CPD Committee of the Bar.
Policies and Plans
Her vision is hinged on five (5) pillars and will be implemented through the policies and programs outlined below.
Training & Professional Development
Specialist and industry-related training based on practice divisions and global trends.
Bespoke training for young lawyers to enhance opportunities for networking, mentoring and the development of professional and ethical standards- “Young Lawyers Academy”
Welfare /Working Environment/Camaraderie
Formalize welfare arrangements for members in the event of death, illness, or incapacity.
Collaborate with the Judicial Service to improve sanitation standards and address parking challenges at the Court Complex
Institute a Regional Law Week (awards dinner, “Bar Olympics” and legal clinics) to foster professional networking, camaraderie and service to the community
Gender Mainstreaming & Inclusion
Advocate for the adoption of gender-inclusive workplace policies in law firms /law departments
Enhance support of programmes of the Women's Forum in the region
Adopt policies to foster engagement with members with disability
Involvement Of Members In Decision Making
Enhance engagement with regional representatives of the In-house, Young Lawyers and Women's fora and members in academia.
Stimulate member engagement and feedback.
Give Back To The Community
Structured pro bono scheme in partnership with the Legal Aid Commission / The Vance Centre for International Justice
Support selected philanthropic causes
Legal clinics for underserved communities
What makes her great for the Presidency?
As a lawyer who has worked with and supported the transformation of a small Ghanaian law firm into a pan-African firm and well-recognized brand, Isabel knows first-hand how the focused implementation of strategy and the commitment of a team to a cause can bring about transformation. Her 24-year career at AB & David (11 of which have been as Managing Partner) is a testament to her unwavering commitment and focus on the causes she believes in.
The invaluable insights gained from her current role as Vice-President of the GAR, her participation in the Committees, her appreciation of how to tailor international standards to fit the Ghana context, and her experience from working with clients and partners across the world, have imbued in her an acute appreciation of the benchmarks for excellence, what members care about, and therefore what should define her focus as President of the Regional Bar.