( CNN ) -- As Arwa Al-Hujaili begins her legal career , she has not only her own expectations to live up to , but those of a generation : she has just become Saudi Arabia 's first female lawyer . After three years of petitioning the Ministry of Justice , Al-Hujaili , 25 , has finally received her registration to practice as a trainee lawyer , the first woman to do so . `` People tell me I 'm a pioneer and I feel I need to live up to what they expect of me , '' says Al-Hujaili . `` There 's a great sense of responsibility . From now on , people will look at everything I do . '' Al-Hujaili , who decided on a legal career while preparing for university , graduated from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah in 2010 and expected to be able to practice as a lawyer immediately . But much to her frustration , she has spent three years in a professional no-man 's land , able to work as `` legal consultant '' but not officially recognized as a lawyer . Universities in Saudi Arabia began taking female law students in 2005 and the first graduates completed their studies in 2008 . But the optimism soon wore off when female graduates found themselves unable to gain registration to practice . Many of Al-Hujaili 's classmates , frustrated by the lack of progress in Saudi Arabia , left the country to work abroad . But Al-Hujaili stayed in her hometown of Jeddah and continued to apply for registration . In the meantime , some of her contemporaries began an online campaign to push for change , including a Facebook group called `` I am a lawyer , '' a Twitter campaign and YouTube videos from women arguing their right to practice . In October last year , after accepting a petition with 3,000 signatures submitted by a group of female law graduates , King Abdullah announced that women would be allowed to register as lawyers . However , the Ministry of Justice still was n't processing applications from women . `` I kept on following up , but they would n't give me an answer either way , '' says Al-Hujaili . A friend and vocal campaigner , Hanouf Al-Hazzaa , then wrote a newspaper article in which she pleaded with King Abdullah to intervene . Al-Hazzaa had been one of Saudi Arabia 's first batch of female law graduates in 2008 , but had gone to the United States to practice after becoming disillusioned with the situation at home . `` I wrote about how depressing the situation was , saying here we were , many of us working for federal courts outside the Kingdom , because we had no future inside it , '' says Al-Hazzaa . Two days later , the Ministry of Justice announced they would start accepting applications and soon afterwards Al-Hujaili 's application was granted . Now working as a trainee lawyer and due to qualify fully in two years , Al-Hujaili hopes to pursue a career in family law to help other Saudi women . `` Many women really need to talk to female lawyers , and I want to help those women to get their rights , '' she says . Al-Hujaili knows the path ahead wo n't always be smooth . `` The social aspect is a very considerable one , for society to accept women lawyers , it 's something new , '' she says . `` It will be also challenging for the judiciary system to deal with female lawyers , but I think we can overcome these hardships if we prove ourselves as competent lawyers . '' Adam Coogle , a Middle East researcher for Human Rights Watch , agrees that challenges remain for female lawyers . `` Saudi judges have a lot of leeway , and can remove a lawyer from a case , '' says Coogle . `` She might face judges rejecting her counsel or not allowing her to speak , particularly if that judge is conservative and does n't want women to speak in court . '' Other female lawyers are now following in Al-Hujaili 's footsteps and gaining registration , although exact numbers are unclear . For Al-Hujaili , being able to pursue a legal career at home was well worth the wait . `` Success is a nice feeling , especially when it comes after tribulation , '' she says .
Arwa Al-Hujaili has become Saudi Arabia 's first female lawyer . Women were able to study law , but could only practice as `` legal consultants '' or lawyers who advise clients on their rights and how they can enforce them in court.