LADY OF THE MONTH INTERNATIONAL LAWYER CLAUDIA BLANDAMURA
Today we have the pleasure of meeting International Lawyer Claudia Blandamura, an internationally-minded professional who has chosen to put the law at the service of people, overcoming geographical and cultural boundaries.
Alongside her professional activity, she also carries out important charitable initiatives in Africa, actively contributing to humanitarian projects and support for the most vulnerable communities. A commitment that reflects a vision of law as a tool for justice, but also for solidarity.
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Can you briefly tell us about your background: how did you become a lawyer and what motivated you to pursue this career?
I come from a family of lawyers: my father’s uncles were lawyers, and my father was also a lawyer. Since childhood, I have always heard discussions about law and justice, and as a young girl I began attending courtrooms from time to time with my father. When the time came to choose, I realized that becoming a lawyer felt completely natural to me.
What was the decisive moment in your career that changed your professional path?
The decisive moment in my career came when, for work reasons (I was the Global Legal Counsel of a large multinational), I was transferred to a distant African country where I lived for about two months. That’s when I understood that I wanted to direct my work toward an international dimension as well.
What does it mean to you to have been named “Woman of the Month”?**
It is a great privilege. I work in a profession that originated as a male-dominated field, but which for many decades has also included important female figures. I believe that when you do your job well, gender distinctions should be set aside: a good lawyer is a good lawyer, regardless of whether they are a man, a woman, or otherwise. However, being recognized as a committed woman honors me, because we women often carry not only professional responsibilities but also a greater personal and emotional load. Receiving recognition for doing one’s job well is always a source of pride.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced in the legal world?**
Facing a world (which still exists and always will) of clients and colleagues—often men—who see the woman before the professional. In the past, this was also combined with skepticism due to my young age. Today, now that I am no longer so young, I approach the issue with irony and—as I have always done—move forward on my path, staying true to myself and never betraying my core values.
Is there a case or professional project you are particularly proud of?**
There isn’t one specific case, but certainly all my experiences abroad have profoundly changed me for the better.
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What qualities do you think are essential to succeed in the legal profession today?
It may sound strange, but I believe the key elements for success have always been the same: respect for oneself, for one’s freedom of action and thought, for one’s dignity as a person and (for women) as women; consistency with one’s ideas; knowledge of the subject; curiosity; and the willingness to constantly challenge oneself and keep studying, because the law is a living, ever-evolving field. And then a bit of luck—because that never hurts!
Foundation in Africa
How did the idea of creating a foundation in Africa come about?**
As I mentioned, it started with my first experience in Africa. After that, I returned many times to other African countries and always felt driven to understand the real needs of those populations. I firmly believe that every human being should choose to leave their homeland only out of free will, not necessity. So I thought I would like to create my own vehicle through which to help people live better in their countries of origin.
What is the main mission of the foundation and what projects are you working on?
As I said, the main mission is to provide concrete aid and promote development in the regions we focus on from time to time.
We have already launched several initiatives, such as building water wells in Indonesia and reforestation projects in African countries like Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
At the moment, we are working on a major environmental remediation project that should involve several African countries.
What has been the most moving experience you have had thanks to the foundation’s work?
Seeing very young children feeding on rotting waste and living on the streets, taking shelter in underpasses in highly polluted, traffic-heavy cities due to the poverty they live in.
How do you manage to balance your career, social commitment, and personal life?
It is all very difficult, but also stimulating. As I mentioned before, we women always have a great deal to handle every day, both personally and professionally. I believe I am quite a determined person, and I am fortunate to have a family life that supports me when needed.
What message would you give to young women who dream of a career in law or social work?
Commitment, determination, curiosity, and resilience. That’s a good starting point—the rest you learn along the way.
If you could change one thing in the world today, what would it be?**
I would eliminate the lack of respect and “pietas” (to use an ancient Latin term that conveys the idea well) toward others, which unfortunately characterizes modern humanity. Today the word “brotherhood” is overused but rarely put into practice. Wars are the most obvious example, but even in everyday life, small actions reveal the selfishness and egocentrism of our time. This cycle will pass one day—I am sure of it, because history is made of repeating cycles—but for now, this is the harsh reality of the era we live in.