Introduction

Nabila Uddin, Esq., is a personal injury attorney practicing primarily in New York and New Jersey. She began her career with a degree in architecture but pivoted to law, driven by a passion for advocacy and justice. She now leads a team at her firm, focusing on helping clients during vulnerable times and embodying ethical principles derived from her Islamic faith. (View the full interview on YouTube).

Personal Journey

• Early influences and education: Nabila’s interest in justice and investigative journalism began in her youth. She initially pursued architecture in high school and college but felt a lack of fulfillment, missing the advocacy component. Inspired by her grandfather, who was a respected community adjudicator in Bangladesh, she secretly applied to law school. She earned her law degree from CUNY School of Law.
• Role of Islamic faith in career choices: Her faith is the primary driver of her career. She views Islam as the embodiment of true justice and sees her legal work as an attempt to manifest that justice on earth. She approaches her clients and team with compassion, mercy, and a sense of “amana” (sacred trust), aiming to change lives in a meaningful way.
• Challenges faced as a Muslim professional: She faced imposter syndrome as a visibly Muslim hijabi in a male-dominated field, especially coming from a non-traditional academic background (architecture). She had to constantly assert herself and create space in professional environments. She also mentioned facing misconceptions about her competence from within and outside the Muslim community.
• Key turning points and decisions: A pivotal moment was leaving her job in housing litigation after the onset of the Gaza genocide, feeling a deep ethical and personal conflict. During a retreat, she found a rock shaped like Palestine, which she took as a divine sign to leave her role without another job lined up, placing her trust in Allah (tawakkul). This leap of faith led her to her current, more fulfilling role in personal injury law.

Industry Deep Dive

• Current role and responsibilities: Nabila’s day-to-day work involves managing personal injury cases, negotiating with insurance companies, and advocating for clients. She emphasizes client communication, ensuring they understand the process and prioritize their health. A significant part of her role is also training and mentoring her team to provide high-quality, ethical service.
• Corporate ethics discussion: She highlights the prevalence of unethical practices in some segments of the legal field, such as “ambulance chasing” and law firms poaching each other’s clients. She stresses the importance of safeguarding one’s law license and adhering to personal ethics.
• Specific cases of corporate misconduct in their field: She points to insurance companies that systematically lowball clients with serious injuries, often using sneaky tactics to get them to sign premature settlements for far less than their case is worth.
• How Muslim professionals can navigate ethical dilemmas: Nabila advises knowing your core values and never compromising on them. If faced with unethical behavior, one should address it through proper channels, document everything, and if the situation doesn’t change, be prepared to leave. She emphasizes that trusting in Allah (tawakkul) is essential when making such difficult decisions, as He will provide a better path.

Resources and Advice Segment

• Essential resources for aspiring professionals: Nabila emphasizes internal resources over external tools: self-trust, authenticity, and a strong connection to one’s purpose and faith. She recommends doing inner work and “muhasabah” (self-accountability) regularly.
• Mentorship opportunities: Nabila is open to mentorship and can be contacted via her Instagram or email. She also shared that she herself has multiple mentors and a life coach, underscoring the value of a strong support system.
• Organizations supporting Muslim professionals: While no specific organizations were named, she praised the value of community initiatives like the “The Treaded Path” podcast and Muslim women’s retreats for building supportive networks.
• Practical advice for industry newcomers: Her key advice is to “trust yourself and be authentically yourself.” Find your higher purpose and let that drive you. Understand that you will never feel 100% ready for great opportunities, so you must take chances and have faith.

Accountability Focus

• Discussion of specific corporations with problematic records: The primary entities discussed for accountability are insurance companies that engage in bad-faith negotiation tactics and law firms that use unethical client acquisition practices.
• Analysis of human rights violations or war crimes connections: Nabila shared a personal story of leaving her previous firm due to its silence on the Gaza genocide, which she felt violated her ethical and Islamic principles. This served as a powerful example of corporate (or institutional) accountability in the face of international human rights violations.
• Ways to advocate for corporate accountability: On an individual level, she advocates for taking a stand when ethics are violated, even if it means resigning. Professionally, she advocates for her clients by firmly challenging insurance companies and refusing to accept unjust settlements.
• Alternative ethical options within the industry: She positions her own practice—which is client-centered, transparent, and driven by a sense of amana—as an ethical alternative within the personal injury field.

Closing Reflections

• Final advice from guest: Nabila’s final advice is to have a higher purpose, trust in Allah, and be authentic. She encourages daily self-work and reminds professionals that the path of tawakkul means the steps ahead are revealed only as you walk them.
• Contact Information to reach guest speaker: Listeners can connect with Nabila via Instagram at @attorneynabila or by email at nabilauddinesq@gmail.com.
• Call to action for listeners: She asks for support in expanding her clientele to help more people in need, welcoming referrals and inquiries from those who may require her legal services.