Safiyya Patel has carved out an incredibly impressive career, but her goal now is to ensure that others have the same opportunities she has worked so hard to thrive in
As the Managing Partner at Webber Wentzel and the first black woman to hold the position, Safiyya Patel has a lot to be proud of.
But looking back on her career, Patel says her fondest memories are less about individual milestones and more about the people and opportunities that have helped shape who she is and her career path.
While she admits that she has been fortunate to work with exceptional people, to learn from leaders who invested in her, and to have the opportunity to do the same for others, what she holds dearest is seeing talented young lawyers grow in confidence and ultimately become leaders themselves–something she wants to see more of in the generations to come.
”Becoming Managing Partner of Webber Wentzel has, of course, been a significant milestone. Being the first black woman to lead the firm is something I recognise as important, not only personally but because of what it represents for others. It is a moment that I do not take lightly. It is an opportunity to help shape an institution with such a long and proud history, while ensuring that it continues to evolve,” Patel explains.
”But I also see myself as a custodian of the firm. I served my articles at Webber Wentzel almost three decades ago, and after being at other firms, re-joined the firm 15 years ago. My hope is that we hand the next generation a stronger organisation that is well-equipped for the future with all of the changes surrounding it.”
Patel’s career has been built on a combination of hard work, curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to keep learning.
She has had to develop technical expertise, but also learn how to build relationships, understand clients’ businesses, and communicate with people who may approach a problem very differently to how she does.
While her rise to the top and achievements speak for themselves, Patel is still grounded in her thinking that her journey has been one of collaboration, learning from others, mentorship, and tough conversations.
”I have not built my career on my own. I have had people who believed in me, opened doors for me, challenged me, and, at times, told me things I probably did not want to hear but needed to. Equally important has been the support of my family. Leadership can demand a great deal from those around you, and their support has made many things possible,” she continues.
”Perhaps one of the less visible parts of the journey has been learning to trust my own voice. There can be a temptation to think you need to become a particular kind of leader. Over time, I realised that my greatest strength was not trying to replicate somebody else’s leadership style, but becoming more comfortable with my own. Listening carefully, bringing people with me, making the difficult calls when necessary, and remaining grounded in who I am.”
What law looks like for women in 2026
”The legal profession is certainly more representative than it was when I started my career, and that progress should be acknowledged,” Patel shares.
In recent times, far more women have entered the law profession, taken on significant mandates, and occupied positions of leadership–which shows incredible progression in what for the longest time has been a male-dominated sector.
However, according to Patel, the journey is far from complete.
While Webber Wentzel has been intentional about transformation–with women now making up close to half of the partnership, the same cannot be said for the industry as a whole.
For holistic growth, Patel believes deliberate and open conversations about barriers need to be had, with unconscious bias and the challenge of balancing demanding careers with family responsibilities key talking points that need to be addressed.
”That is where I believe I have a responsibility in my current role. We are intentional about sponsorship and mentorship and about creating meaningful opportunities for women to lead. That can mean giving someone exposure to an important client, trusting them with a complex matter or encouraging them to take on a leadership responsibility before they feel entirely ready,” she shares.
”I also recognise the importance of being able to see people like yourself in positions of leadership. My own appointment matters to me because I know what it can mean to a young black woman looking at the profession and wondering whether there is a place for her at the top. The work now is to make sure that my appointment is not simply a milestone, but part of a continuing pathway for others.”
While that pathway may seem difficult for many to navigate, Patel is firm in her advice for those looking to follow in her footsteps: ”Don’t wait for permission to believe that you belong.”
Leadership in the world of law
Patel has learned many valuable leadership lessons that she will carry with her for life.
One of the most important has to do with how you make people feel in the workplace. Yes, technical excellence is essential, but at the end of the day, relationships are built through trust, respect, and consistency. She is also of the belief that you never stop learning, especially in the legal profession. The constant change within the sector means that curiosity and adaptability are just as important as expertise.
”Another key lesson has been that leadership is about creating opportunities for others. The people who invested in me shaped my career in ways they may never fully realise. That creates a responsibility to do the same for others,” Patel explains.
”Listening is also an underrated leadership skill. You don’t always need to be the person with the loudest voice or the quickest answer. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is create the space for someone else to contribute.”
As Patel continues to lay the right foundation within her role at Webber Wentzel, she admits that she doesn’t think about her career primarily in terms of titles or personal achievements anymore–her focus now is on the impact she can have while in a position of leadership.
”I want to help Webber Wentzel remain a firm that is excellent and relevant to the changing needs of our clients and our people. The legal profession is changing rapidly, particularly through technology and AI, and I want to help ensure that we embrace that change in a way that strengthens our offering rather than losing sight of what makes a great professional services organisation,” she insists.
In addition and looking towards what she still wants to achieve in her career, Patel is eager to continue creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders, while her biggest hope is that the next generation of women, particularly young African women, see leadership positions as something they can aspire to without questioning whether they belong there.
And we wish you all the best as you work tirelessly to make that happen.
Safiyya Patel’s three key leadership traits
Curiosity
“I have always wanted to understand how things work, whether that is a legal problem, a client’s business or a broader issue affecting our profession. Curiosity keeps you learning and prevents you from becoming complacent.”
Courage
“There have been many times in my career when I have had to do something before I felt completely ready, make an unpopular decision, challenge an established way of doing things, or simply trust my own judgement.
Empathy
“Leadership is ultimately about people. Being able to understand different perspectives, listen properly, and recognise what people need from you has been invaluable, particularly as my responsibilities have grown.”