A Bold Beginning
What began during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic as a vision shared by one woman partner and one woman associate has grown into a thriving testament to female leadership in law. SteelRose Legal Ltd was founded on a simple but powerful principle: that women not only belong in law - they should lead it.
Today, the firm comprises two partners and seven fee-earners, with two new lawyers joining in the past 12 months alone. Since its founding, SteelRose has handled 300+ matters for 160+ clients, achieved a strong client retention rate of 45%, and earned both Lexcel accreditation and Legal 500 recognition as a "Firm to Watch" in 2025.
Where Gender Equity is a Lived Reality
At SteelRose Legal Ltd, 86.7% of the team identify as women. This is not a statistic we simply celebrate - it is a reflection of our culture, our values, and our commitment to creating space for diverse voices in the legal profession. Gender equity is not just a value we espouse; it is a lived reality embedded in our leadership, our policies, and our daily practice.
Empowering the Next Generation
Our impact extends far beyond the courtroom. Through our partnership with the Kateryna Biloruska Foundation's FEM Program, we actively support the next generation of female leaders. This initiative empowers girls aged 13–17 to pursue their dreams, build confidence, and understand their rights.
Ms Zu Tohtayeva, Founder and Partner at SteelRose Legal Ltd, is a featured speaker in this year's FEM Program, delivering sessions on law, justice, and advocacy - helping young women understand the power of their voice and the legal tools available to them. Building on this mission, she is now forging a partnership with a prominent female-founded law firm in Uzbekistan to expand cross-border initiatives that champion women's leadership and advancement in law.
Ms Jay El Chidiac, Associate at SteelRose Legal Ltd, serves as an ambassador for the FEM Program, offering inspiration to young girls navigating their personal and academic journeys. Her role exemplifies our firm's belief in hands-on, grassroots engagement to create lasting change.
Breaking Barriers Across Industries
Ms. Olafadeke Akeju, our Head of Gaming and Partner, continues to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa by iGaming AFRIKA highlights her trailblazing contributions and the global impact of our team.
As the lead of the Women in Gaming Nigeria (WiNG) initiative, Ms. Akeju spearheads efforts to empower women across the gaming sector. Earlier this year, WiNG hosted a webinar celebrating trailblazing women excelling in operations, finance, legal, and regulatory roles for International Women's Day 2025. This November, Ms. Akeju will host WiNG's upcoming networking event, further advancing dialogue, mentorship, and collaboration among women in gaming.
Building a Culture That Champions Women
At SteelRose Legal, we believe that representation matters - not only in boardrooms and courtrooms but also in classrooms, communities, and across industries. Our internal policies reflect this ethos: we champion flexible working arrangements, mentorship programs for junior women lawyers, and leadership development initiatives tailored to support women at every stage of their legal careers.
We are not only building a firm where women thrive - we are building a future where women lead.
In Their Words
“Collaborating with women has been a fulfilling experience. Their strength, creativity, and resilience help shape progress. Today, we celebrate their contributions, and every day, we recognise their impact.” – Bobur Aminov (Trainee Solicitor)
“The SteelRose team were fantastic to work with. No matter the time of day, they were always ready to jump on a call, turn documents around quickly, and provide practical, business-minded guidance. Their professionalism and attention to detail are evident in everything they do, and it’s inspiring to see such a talented group of women behind the firm” – Conor O’Donovan, on behalf of Tekkorp Capital LLC (Our Client)
Our collective achievements, both within the legal sector and in our broader social impact work, reflect the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women in law. This Women's Day, we celebrate not just how far we've come, but the path we continue to forge for those who will follow.
What began during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic as a vision shared by one woman partner and one woman associate has grown into a thriving testament to female leadership in law. SteelRose Legal Ltd was founded on a simple but powerful principle: that women not only belong in law - they should lead it.
Today, the firm comprises two partners and seven fee-earners, with two new lawyers joining in the past 12 months alone. Since its founding, SteelRose has handled 300+ matters for 160+ clients, achieved a strong client retention rate of 45%, and earned both Lexcel accreditation and Legal 500 recognition as a "Firm to Watch" in 2025.
Where Gender Equity is a Lived Reality
At SteelRose Legal Ltd, 86.7% of the team identify as women. This is not a statistic we simply celebrate - it is a reflection of our culture, our values, and our commitment to creating space for diverse voices in the legal profession. Gender equity is not just a value we espouse; it is a lived reality embedded in our leadership, our policies, and our daily practice.
Empowering the Next Generation
Our impact extends far beyond the courtroom. Through our partnership with the Kateryna Biloruska Foundation's FEM Program, we actively support the next generation of female leaders. This initiative empowers girls aged 13–17 to pursue their dreams, build confidence, and understand their rights.
Ms Zu Tohtayeva, Founder and Partner at SteelRose Legal Ltd, is a featured speaker in this year's FEM Program, delivering sessions on law, justice, and advocacy - helping young women understand the power of their voice and the legal tools available to them. Building on this mission, she is now forging a partnership with a prominent female-founded law firm in Uzbekistan to expand cross-border initiatives that champion women's leadership and advancement in law.
Ms Jay El Chidiac, Associate at SteelRose Legal Ltd, serves as an ambassador for the FEM Program, offering inspiration to young girls navigating their personal and academic journeys. Her role exemplifies our firm's belief in hands-on, grassroots engagement to create lasting change.
Breaking Barriers Across Industries
Ms. Olafadeke Akeju, our Head of Gaming and Partner, continues to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa by iGaming AFRIKA highlights her trailblazing contributions and the global impact of our team.
As the lead of the Women in Gaming Nigeria (WiNG) initiative, Ms. Akeju spearheads efforts to empower women across the gaming sector. Earlier this year, WiNG hosted a webinar celebrating trailblazing women excelling in operations, finance, legal, and regulatory roles for International Women's Day 2025. This November, Ms. Akeju will host WiNG's upcoming networking event, further advancing dialogue, mentorship, and collaboration among women in gaming.
Building a Culture That Champions Women
At SteelRose Legal, we believe that representation matters - not only in boardrooms and courtrooms but also in classrooms, communities, and across industries. Our internal policies reflect this ethos: we champion flexible working arrangements, mentorship programs for junior women lawyers, and leadership development initiatives tailored to support women at every stage of their legal careers.
We are not only building a firm where women thrive - we are building a future where women lead.
In Their Words
“Collaborating with women has been a fulfilling experience. Their strength, creativity, and resilience help shape progress. Today, we celebrate their contributions, and every day, we recognise their impact.” – Bobur Aminov (Trainee Solicitor)
“The SteelRose team were fantastic to work with. No matter the time of day, they were always ready to jump on a call, turn documents around quickly, and provide practical, business-minded guidance. Their professionalism and attention to detail are evident in everything they do, and it’s inspiring to see such a talented group of women behind the firm” – Conor O’Donovan, on behalf of Tekkorp Capital LLC (Our Client)
Our collective achievements, both within the legal sector and in our broader social impact work, reflect the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women in law. This Women's Day, we celebrate not just how far we've come, but the path we continue to forge for those who will follow.
Building A Future Where Women Lead: SteelRose Legal's Women's Day Story
8th March 2026
