From the runway to the negotiating table, Tala Habbal, Esq., Founder & Principal of LINE Legal Consulting, has built a career that few could have predicted.
Before law school, there were fashion internships, buying roles, a handbag line, and years spent immersed in an industry she genuinely loved. But after more than a decade, she found herself searching for something more challenging, eventually taking a leap of faith that would lead her into the legal profession at the age of 34.
When Fashion Stopped Challenging Her
She is quick to clarify that her decision was deeply personal rather than a criticism of the industry she left behind. “This isn’t to knock down anyone in fashion. It’s also an extremely rewarding and exciting field to be in,” she said.
What shifted, she explains, was not passion, but stimulation. “Although I really loved working in fashion and am thankful for all the amazing experiences I had, I reached a point in my life where I felt like I wanted more of a challenge,” she said. “I didn’t feel like fashion was filling my cup on an intellectual level.”
The idea of becoming a lawyer had been with her for much longer than many people realised. From an early age, those around her saw qualities that seemed suited to the profession, and she was often told she would make a good lawyer.
“Throughout middle school and high school, I was constantly told that I should be a lawyer, or that I’d make a great lawyer. I always loved to argue, sometimes a bit too much,” she said.
That early interest was further shaped by popular culture at the time. “Watching shows like Ally McBeal and Suits definitely fuelled my interest even more, although I now know that being a lawyer isn’t exactly what you see on TV!”
Despite those early signs, life took her in a different direction after graduation, and the idea of law gradually slipped into the background. It would take another decade before she returned to it, finally making the decision at 34 to act on something that had never fully gone away.
“It wasn’t until about 10 years later, at the age of 34, that I finally decided to take a leap of faith and go to law school.”
Taking The Leap
A difficult personal chapter became the turning point, the moment she began to seriously reconsider the direction of her career. “I went through a personally challenging chapter in my life, and I think that was the point where I really decided that I wanted to pivot,” she said.
Even then, the decision felt less like a sudden shift and more like returning to something that had always been there in the background. She added that law was always something in the back of her mind, and she knew that she would regret it for the rest of her life if she didn’t try.
What ultimately pulled her across was ambition and purpose that she felt were missing.
“Excitement, mental stimulation, the challenge of doing that requires such grit and determination,” she said when describing what law offered that fashion no longer did. “The satisfaction of knowing the work I do helps people.”
Once the decision was made, reactions around her ranged from surprise to scepticism, though rarely outright discouragement. Some simply could not understand why she would leave fashion behind. “Some people were shocked and said I was crazy to leave fashion, but no one really discouraged me.” Her closest circle, however, remained steady and supportive throughout, with her family and close friends being extremely supportive.
Not everyone shared that confidence. There were moments of doubt from others who questioned whether she would succeed at all. “There were people who mocked my decision and even went so far as to say I would never make it, that I would never pass the bar. I heard a lot of ‘do you think you’re Legally Blonde?’”
In hindsight, she is matter-of-fact about those reactions, seeing them as part of the process rather than a setback. “I was very happy to prove all the naysayers wrong.”
Why It’s Never Too Late
Now firmly established in law, Habbal is clear about what she would say to anyone standing at a similar crossroads: Go for it.
She knows how easily hesitation can take over when the stakes feel high but believes uncertainty should not be mistaken for a reason to stay still. “It may seem daunting, and it’s easy to think of a million and one reasons why not to do it, but at the end of the day, you’ll never know unless you try.”
She often speaks to people who feel they have already missed their opportunity, usually because of age or timing, a mindset she firmly rejects. “I’ve had conversations with people who say they’re too old or it’s too late, and I really don’t believe it’s ever too late.” Though she admits the process was not easy, the difficulty is part of what makes the outcome meaningful.
That sense of intention continues to shape how she views her work today, long after the transition itself. “I think I appreciate being a lawyer even more at this stage of my life, because my decision to switch careers was very intentional and I went through a lot to get here.”
Looking back, she does not hesitate when reflecting on the choice, adding that it was the best decision she ever made, and that she wishes she had gone to law school sooner.
Not Your Average Corporate Lawyer
Today, Habbal is focused on growing LINE Legal Consulting and carving out a niche in media and entertainment law, working closely with entrepreneurs, start-ups and creatives.
“Professionally, I really want to see my boutique law firm grow and flourish,” she said. “I know the intricacies of media and entertainment law and am excited to help entrepreneurs, start-ups, and creatives share their vision with the world.”
Her journey into law, however, is only part of what shapes her approach.
Born in the US, she moved to Beirut at the age of 12 and has since lived across Beirut, Boston, New York City, London, Los Angeles and Dubai. Her early career spanned fashion and media, including studies at Parsons, an internship at Vogue before The Devil Wears Prada era, work as a buyer for a department store, and the launch of her own handbag line.
She later moved into entertainment, working in Los Angeles at Warner Bros. and Disney, where she said she had the privilege of working in the entertainment capital of the world with periods at Warner Bros. and Disney in L.A.
Those years also delivered moments that still stand out. “I don’t know many people who can say they’ve seen Conan O’Brien at their office cafeteria and Jennifer Aniston while on their work coffee break.”
Despite that breadth of experience, she resists being neatly defined by any one role or label, adding, “Those who know me know I’m a little quirky, funny and outspoken, but that I also have a really soft side,” she said.
