About

Originally admitted as a lawyer in 1995, the meteoric trajectory of Rhonda Hare’s career was set early on, and she rose to the level of partner with Blake Dawson just over a decade later in 2006. During the course of her private practice career, which lasted until 2013, Hare developed a proficiency in working in the hotel and real estate sectors across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. She moved in-house in 2014 with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and joined Accor as Asia Pacific general counsel in November 2017. Focusing on further integrating the legal department with the company – ‘being closer to the business so that we can provide effective legal services’, as Hare puts it – is key for any legal counsel. Hare is adamant that all chapters of her legal journey has fed into her current status as an expert in the field: ‘From each of my in-house experiences (including my secondment with Hilton, my time at ADIA and now with Accor) – the exposure to different legal regimes and cultures has been a highlight. Understanding the differences and the similarities across the globe has enhanced my skills as a lawyer. The different cultural experiences have helped build the person, lawyer and leader I am today. Being able to develop a better understanding of each of the businesses I have worked in – beyond my role as lawyer – has also been a significant career highlight’. A nominating source endorsed Hare’s qualities enthusiastically, describing her as ‘a well-respected hospitality and real estate lawyer with a great work ethics who is viewed as a trusted legal advisor’.