Meet HBA Member Sabrina Jiwani

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your professional background? 

I am a senior attorney in the Litigation Department of KBR, where I manage global litigation and arbitration. Prior to joining KBR, I was an associate in BakerHostetler’s Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration groups, where I handled large-scale litigation cases and arbitrations for energy and chemical companies, often relating to international and cross-border projects, as well as an associate in a midsize construction firm. I started my career as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. I received my undergraduate education from the University of Texas at Austin and my law degree from Washington University in St. Louis.    

How long have you been a member of the Houston Bar Association, and what motivated you to join? 

I have been a member of the HBA since 2017. 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.  

What specific benefits or opportunities have you gained through your HBA membership? 

Through the HBA, I’ve met some amazing lawyers who have since become friends. The HBA has given me the opportunity to take on a leadership role in a committee that aligns very strongly with my personal beliefs – the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. With the opportunity to co-chair this committee in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 bar years, I’ve gained real insight into how to be a better leader, advocate, friend, and mentor.    

Could you share a notable experience or success story that you attribute to your involvement with the HBA? 

Every year in April, the HBA DEI Committee hosts a boot camp for students going into their internships, where they learn a little about the litigation and transactional practices and hear from a panel of diverse attorneys who 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’ needs. This way, the students were able to ask questions and really get the information they need to be successful in their summer internships.  

What advice would you give to fellow attorneys considering joining the Houston Bar Association? 

Aside from the professional networking aspect, the HBA really gives you an opportunity to directly impact the Houston legal community, whether that’s through causes that fit your values or through volunteer and service opportunities. You really feel like you’re making a difference in the community all while meeting colleagues who have the same passions as you and you can develop a bond with others through shared experiences.

How has networking within the HBA community impacted your career or opened new doors for you?

The HBA gave me the opportunity to take a leadership role in the DEI Committee and really engage in work for the Houston legal community that directly relates to my values and ethics. As a result of the work I do for the HBA, I was given the opportunity to take on the same types of leadership roles in the ACC (Association of Corporate Counsel) and the Houston chapter of the ACC actually won an award for its diversity efforts in 2022. In addition, I was asked to give a presentation to our larger legal team in our General Counsel’s Town Hall on diversity issues and the presentation was forwarded to all executive level staff!

How does being a part of the HBA contribute to your sense of professional identity and belonging?

I am keenly aware of how my behaviors affect key stakeholders in the legal community (i.e., clients, outside counsel, colleagues, etc.) and I knew early on in my legal career that I wanted part of my professional identity to focus on my diversity and inclusion efforts, a cause that I feel very strongly about. The HBA allows me to expand those values and engage directly with my Houston legal community, knowing that the decisions I make have a positive impact on the larger community.

Ready to follow in Sabrina's footsteps and join the HBA?

Questions about HBA membership? Email membership@hba.org or call 713-759-1133.