Amal Clooney might be recognizable to most by her last name, but this human rights lawyer is a truly inspiring figure for women everywhere.
Amal Clooney is a British-Lebanese barrister specializing in international law and human rights. She’s also an author, activist, mother and style icon, known to the public for her marriage to actor George Clooney. Despite this, she’s maintained her own identity and career, refusing to be defined solely by her husband’s fame.
Born in Lebanon, Clooney’s family moved to the United Kingdom when she was two years old to escape the Lebanese War. She began her academic journey at St. Hugh’s College, part of the University of Oxford. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Jurisprudence, she enrolled at the New York University School of Law to pursue a Master of Laws. During her time at NYU, Clooney received multiple awards for excellence and even clerked for major legal figures, including future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She passed the New York bar in 2002 and is qualified to practice law in the United States, the United Kingdom and Wales.
Clooney’s career reflects her consistent fight for humanitarian advocacy. She has represented several high-profile clients, including former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed. She also represents journalists and victims of genocide and sexual violence, advocating for freedom of speech, expression and basic human rights.
Her fight for justice isn’t confined to the courtroom. In 2016, Clooney and her husband co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which provides free legal aid in defense of free speech and women’s rights in more than 40 countries.
Clooney doesn’t just carry herself with poise in the courtroom; her elegance is reflected in her wardrobe. As noted in publications such as Vogue, she often balances strength and femininity in her style, pairing tailored suits with graceful dresses. Vintage pieces, Chanel suits and trench coats are among her go-to looks. And no matter the occasion, Clooney is sure to have an impeccable blowout! Her style mirrors her character, embodying intelligence, power and charisma in every aspect of her life.
As an aspiring lawyer myself, I see Clooney as a model of the powerful roles women can hold in society. Rising to the top of a male-dominated field, she uses her influence to make real change, fighting for oppressed voices on an international scale. Clooney proves that elegance is multifaceted: style, intelligence and advocacy go hand in hand.