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Welcome to the ALB Middle East Law Awards 2024!
NEW EVENT VENUE UPDATE!
Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. sharp, cocktail
Venue: Shangri-La Dubai - AI Nojoom (Grand Ballroom) Venue Updated!!!
Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Near Financial Metro Station)
Experience the grandeur of the 4th ALB Middle East Law Awards 2024, brought to you by Thomson Reuters', Asian Legal Business. This esteemed accolade is designed to honor the remarkable achievements of private practitioners and in-house counsel in the Middle East.
Prepare to immerse yourself in an evening filled with opulence, glamour, and a celebration of excellence in the legal industry.
FINALISTS ARE REVEALED! Check out the finalists!
Questions regarding the awards? Contact us at albawards@thomsonreuters.com.
For questions about sponsorship opportunities, please contact.
Amantha Chia at amantha.chia@thomsonreuters.com
PROUDLY PRESENTED BY
Categories
CATEGORIES
If there are any category suggestions that you would like to share, please write to Tracy Li on tracy.li@thomsonreuters.com.
DEAL CATEGORIES
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Equity Market Deal of the Year
M&A Deal of the Year
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
In-House Lawyer of the Year
Managing Partner of the Year
D&I Champion of the Year
Woman Lawyer of the Year
Young Lawyer of the Year
IN‐HOUSE TEAM CATEGORIES
Construction and Real Estate In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
Energy and Resources In-House Team of the Year
ESG In-House Team of the Year
Healthcare and Pharmaceutical In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
Financial Services In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
Innovative In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
Transportation and Logistics In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
Middle East In-House Team of the Year
LAW FIRM CATEGORIES
Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
Boutique Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
Construction and Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
Deal Firm of the Year
Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year
Fintech Law Firm of the Year
Foreign Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year
Litigation Law Firm of the Year
Rising Law Firm of the Year
Bahrain Law Firm of the Year
Kuwait Law Firm of the Year
Qatar Law Firm of the Year
Egypt Law Firm of the Year
Jordan Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
Lebanon Law Firm of the Year
Saudi Arabia Law Firm of the Year
Oman Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
UAE Law Firm of the Year
Middle East Law Firm of the Year
Submit Today
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Opening Date | 21 June 2024 |
Submission Deadline Date (EXTENDED) | 14 August 2024 |
Finalists Announcement Date | Early September |
Awards Ceremony Date | 17 October 2024 |
SUBMISSION FORMS
Submissions are closed.
SUBMISSION APPLICATION FEE
Note: In-House applicants are not subject to any application fees.
For Law Firm applicants, a nominal USD 50 application fee per submission is applicable, payable upon submission. To facilitate the payment process, kindly select the quantity corresponding to your submitted entries and proceed with secure credit card payment.
*Disclaimer: All information, materials and submission provided to Thomson Reuters is legally available and not partially or totally, directly or indirectly encumbered by rights owned by third parties. By submitting any information and materials to Thomson Reuters, I understand and agree that neither Thomson Reuters nor its employees shall be liable for any loss, demand, claim or cause of action of any kind, for defamation, invasion of privacy, publicity or any similar matter whether or not such loss, demand or claim is foreseeable or not. Thomson Reuters shall not be responsible for any claims from third parties (whether grounded on intellectual property rights infringements, defamation, or breach of confidentiality or otherwise) related to Thomson Reuters’ publication of the information, materials and submission provided by you. All information, materials and submission provided to Thomson Reuters will be published as-is, without alteration or modification and the submitter will be fully responsible for its submission.
Judges
JUDGES
Each year, ALB invites an independent judging panel of senior and expert legal industry leaders from various sectors corresponding to the diverse list of award categories. ALB is pleased to list some of the distinguished judges. The rest of the panel will be revealed on the evening of the awards.
Afshan Akhtar
Chief Legal Counsel and Board Secretary, BAPCO Refining
With over 20 years of legal experience, Afshan excels in diverse industries, including oil and gas, banking, and mining. Her unique ability to work at the C-Level and make high-impact contributions sets her apart. Afshan’s leadership, analytical skills, and holistic approach enable her to provide comprehensive legal solutions. Her achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the highest civilian award in the Kingdom of Bahrain for her professional excellence.
Dr. Amal Rakibi
General Counsel and Company Secretary, Borouge
Dr. Amal Rakibi is an international corporate counsel with over 25 years of experience leading legal teams in complex jurisdictions. She currently serves as the General Counsel and Company Secretary at Borouge, supporting C-suite Executives, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. Previously, Dr. Rakibi was the Chief Legal Officer at AirAsia, where she led organizational restructuring, corporate finance initiatives, M&A, and IPOs. She also held various leadership roles at Schlumberger, including General Counsel for the MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa regions.
Dr. Rakibi holds a PhD in International Law from Paris-Sud University and George Washington University. She is a French qualified lawyer and has multiple degrees, including a Master's in Aeronautics, Space and Telecommunications Law, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Space Science. Her expertise lies in executive leadership, legal operations management, corporate governance, and international law. Dr. Rakibi's multidisciplinary approach and diverse background enable her to adapt to evolving challenges in today's dynamic international landscape.
Ahmad Al Aseh
Head of Legal - Middle East and Levant, CEVA Logistics
Ahmad Al Aseh (LLM in Business Law) is the Head of Legal for the Middle East and Levant at CEVA Logistics, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, based in Dubai. With over 15 years of legal experience across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Ahmad oversees legal affairs in 16 jurisdictions, expertly navigating complex legal challenges.
Ahmad began his career in Syria, where he practiced law and established his own boutique law firm before pursuing an LLM in Malaysia. His international journey includes roles in intellectual property and corporate law at Kandiah & Sri in Kuala Lumpur, followed by a position at Christopher & Lee Ong, part of Rajah & Tann Asia (Singapore). He then took on the challenge of building a legal department for a French company in Istanbul. Ahmad joined CEVA Logistics in 2018 in Istanbul and was promoted to Head of Legal in Dubai in 2020.
Combining his experience in both private practice and in-house roles, Ahmad has developed expertise in Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Shipping & Logistics Law, and dispute resolution. His career reflects a commitment to professional growth and adaptability, making him a strategic leader in global logistics law. Ahmad is passionate about mentoring the next generation of legal professionals, guiding them through the complexities of the legal landscape.
Carla Tavares
MEA Legal Lead, AbbVie Biopharmaceuticals GmbH
Carla Tavares is a dual-qualified legal counsel with expertise in both civil and common law systems, having worked in the UAE, Singapore, UK, Spain, and Portugal. Currently, she serves as Legal Lead for Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, overseeing legal matters across the Middle East and Africa, including contracting, pricing, strategic transactions, sale and distribution, digital marketing, advertising, promotion, and legal risk management. Carla's career spans leadership roles in various industries such as healthcare, FMCG, IT, and real estate. Before undertaking her in-house roles, she practiced at CMS Cameron McKenna in London and holds an LLM in IT Law from Edinburgh University (2023). Passionate about integrating AI and blockchain into law, Carla aims to leverage her international experience to add value in academia and mento future legal minds.
Courtney Sader
General Counsel, Raytheon Emirates Ltd
Courtney Sader is General Counsel for Raytheon Emirates ltd., Raytheon Saudi Arabia, and Raytheon Doha for Raytheon Company where she serves as a member of the leadership team for and is responsible for managing all legal matters. She also serves as Board Secretary for these entities and a board Director for Raytheon MENA Group. Courtney is the founder and chair for the Raytheon MENA Group women’s network employee resource group.
Courtney holds two Bachelors and one Masters degrees from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctorate from Temple Law School. She also has a certificate from the London School of Economics in the Laws of Mergers and Acquisitions and is CCEP-I certified.
Courtney serves as a board member and prior Vice Chairwoman for the American Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi (AmCham Abu Dhabi). There she also serves on the legal affairs and aerospace and defense committees.
Dawn Sanderson
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Al Dahra Group
Dawn is the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer for Al Dahra Group, which is a UAE headquartered global agribusiness, supporting food security in the UAE. She started her career with Eversheds Sutherland LLP in the UK, coming out to Abu Dhabi in 2008 to set up their Abu Dhabi office. Dawn moved in house to Al Dahra Group in 2016. Dawn was the first in house counsel for Al Dahra Group, and has built up the function to include legal, governance and compliance functions. The global team is currently in UAE, Egypt, Serbia and Romania. Dawn led the team to secure Team of the Year in 2023 in, both, the Oath Awards and the LexisNexis Women in Law Awards.
Dineli Gowribalan
General Counsel and Company Secretary, GRIP (DIFC) Ltd
Dineli Gowribalan is General Counsel and Company Secretary for the GRIP group of companies which comprise GRIP (DIFC) Ltd, GRIP Horizon SARL, GRIP Investments (Cayman) and Access Capital Funds SPC. She is a member of the Board of Directors of private funds in the BVI and Cayman Islands. Dineli is a dual qualified lawyer, admitted as a Solicitor of England & Wales and an Attorney at Law in Sri Lanka. She is an accredited ADR ODR International Civil/Commercial Mediator. She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colombo.
Duncan Wood
Legal Counsel - Assistant Head of the Continuous Legal Professional Development Programme for Legal Consultants - The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department
Duncan Wood has over a decade of experience at the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, where he manages special projects and plays a key role in raising standards across the legal industry. This has led to being a thought leader with the International Legal Regulators Committee. Prior to this, Duncan worked at Thomson Reuters in legal intelligence, where he gained valuable insights into the complexities of legal operations and a deep understanding of the legal markets in the GCC and beyond. His diverse experience enables him to provide a comprehensive understanding of both legal practice and industry trends. Passionate about driving innovation and maintaining excellence within the legal field, Duncan is committed to fostering growth and setting new benchmarks for the legal community in Dubai and beyond.
Hanane Farhane
Senior Counsel, Lenovo META and France
Hanane Farhane, a respected figure in the corporate legal world in the Middle East and a leading woman in technology, has been instrumental in shaping Lenovo's legal strategy across Middle East, Africa and France. As Senior Counsel, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise in navigating complex legal challenges while upholding the highest standards of compliance. Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Hanane has been a prominent figure on the Legal 500 – General Counsel Power List for the Middle East since 2019. Her deep understanding of corporate law has been invaluable in guiding Lenovo through a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Beyond her legal acumen, Hanane is a passionate advocate for women in leadership, particularly within the technology industry. She inspires young girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her commitment to integrity, ethical leadership, and excellence has solidified her reputation as a standout figure in both the legal and IT sectors.
Dr Hussam Al Talhuni
Legal Adviser - Ministry of Finance - UAE
Dr. Hussam Al Talhuni, a Jordanian residing in Dubai, UAE, holds a Ph.D. in Arbitration in International Commercial Law from Edinburgh University. He has been a Legal Adviser to the UAE Minister of Finance since 2011, advising on matters related to commercial, economic, and financial laws, including drafting federal legislation. He served as Director of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (2003-2010) and has expertise in civil, commercial, corporate, bankruptcy, and financial technology law. Dr. Al Talhuni is a Board member of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre and has served on various committees, including the Sharjah International Arbitration Centre (2015-2018) and the Financial Reorganization Committee (2018-2023), where he helped resolve high-value debt cases.
Awarded third place as “Best Chairperson of the Arbitral Tribunal” by DIAC in 2018, he is also a member of the UAE Federal Committee for Drafting Tax Laws and the INSOL/World Bank Group Steering Committee.
Helen Graham
General Counsel, Dutco Group
Helen Graham is dual qualified in New Zealand and England including as a Solicitor Advocate of the High Court of English & Wales and trained CEDR mediator.
In 2007 she left practice in dispute resolution in a London partnership to become General Counsel for Dutco Group a UAE conglomerate in construction, industrial manufacturing, freight and logistics, hotel operation and management in UAE, real estate and oil & gas.
Firas OGGAR
Group General Counsel, Zain Group
Firas Oggar is the Group General Counsel and a member of the executive leadership team at Zain Group, as well as a board member of Zain Iraq. Zain is a leading mobile telecommunications operator listed on Boursa Kuwait, with a market cap of over US$7 billion as of December 31, 2023. The company operates in seven countries across the MENA region, serving over 51.7 million customers.
Mr. Oggar is a Corporate Attorney with over 23 years of experience. He qualified as a Lawyer before the Paris Bar, holds a Master in International Business Law from the University of Paris, and completed an Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. He is a Board Member of the Harvard Club of Kuwait and a visiting professor at the University of Paris, Pantheon-Assas International Law School Executive Education Program in Dubai.
Irina Kovalchuk – Group General Counsel, ZMI Holdings
Iryna, an accomplished legal professional, transitioned from her role as a lawyer for the Ukrainian government and the Parliament of Ukraine to join ZMI Holdings (an ADNOC Logistics & Services company) in 2017.
In her current capacity as Group General Counsel, Iryna manages legal affairs across ZMI Holdings’ offices in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Iryna holds an LLM from a prominent London university and is an active member of various international professional and women’s organizations. Notably, she is recognized in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Middle East for 2019, 2022, 2023, solidifying her status as a distinguished figure in the legal field.
James Donald
SVP & Deputy General Counsel, ACCOR
James is SVP & Deputy General Counsel, Premium Midscale and Economy Brands for Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, where he drives global departmental strategy and alignment between regional legal teams. He also leads Accor’s legal operations function, and is based in Dubai, UAE.
In addition to Dubai, James has previously worked in London and Shanghai for another major hospitality operator.
James obtained his first degree in economics and finance, before qualifying as a corporate solicitor with a global law firm in London. He is a dad to three very active children and in his spare time he acts as an advisor to various technology start-ups.
Leanne Ball
Deputy General Counsel, The Marcura Group
Leanne Ball currently serves as the Deputy General Counsel at The Marcura Group and has worked for the Group for almost a decade. The Group serves various maritime industry participants and uses its scale to deliver straightforward solutions to seamlessly address customer needs optimise workflows, enhance efficiency, and increase productivity. Leanne has extensive experience in compliance, risk management, and corporate governance. She also is dedicated to supporting the Group with its ESG agenda and is part of the Group’s Data Protection and Specialised Compliance Task Force. She also contributes to various industry initiatives particularly those with the aim of supporting the maritime industry elevating its compliance posture.
Mark Hultum
Head of Legal MEA, Deutsche Bank
Mark leads Deutsche Bank’s regional legal function as the principal manager of legal risk across all of its activities in the Middle East & Africa region, advising the bank’s Corporate Bank, Investment bank and Private Bank business units, as well as its Regional Management and Infrastructure Functions. With over 15 years’ experience gained in private practice and in-house roles, he is regularly recognised as one of the region’s most influential in-house counsel, including as a member of Legal 500’s GC Powerlist Middle East and as “General Counsel of the Year” at the Middle East Legal Awards 2023. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, Mark worked in Clifford Chance’s M&A and Private Equity teams in both London and Hong Kong.
Dr. Mohamed Elmogy
General Counsel, Siemens Energy UAE
ACC MENA President, General Counsel, and bilingual business leader currently the General Counsel of Siemens Energy, UAE with an outstanding track record of 27 years of hands-on legal experience across the Middle East & Africa ("MEA") Region with F500 Corporations and major commercial groups. MOGY has made huge impact on the In-house Legal Community of the Middle East by founding the platforms for in-house legal counsel in both UAE and Egypt.
Mohamad AlDarwish
Head of Legal MEA, International SoS
Mohamad is a Lebanese lawyer with over 18 years of experience in Litigation, M&A, IPOs, and commercial law. Mohamad started his career as an attorney in Lebanon, then moved to Saudi Arabia advising clients on major merger and acquisitions, IPOs, and corporate restructuring. Currently, Mohamd is the Head of Legal Affairs for International SOS, and based in Dubai. Besides his LLB, Mohamad holds an EMBA from Hult International Business School and has several publications.
Nadim Elias El Haj
Chief Legal Officer, Abu Dhabi National Hotels
Nadim Elias El Haj has served as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel in major government, semi-government and private real estate development and hospitality groups in the UAE over more than two decades of work on ground-breaking projects. He took on lead roles in negotiating and closing mega transactions in the real estate development and hospitality industries in the UAE including the successful negotiation and closing of AED 2.2 B acquisition of five trophy hotel assets in Downtown Burj Khalifa from Emaar Hospitality Group in 2019. Nadim has served as Head of Legal for MENA region at Millennium Hotels and Resorts.
He was re-hired by ADNH in 2022 on the back of ADNH’s new AED 1B branded hotel resort and residences development project on Al Marjan Island -Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and ADNH’s announced global expansion plan.
In addition to his current role at ADNH, Nadim serves as secretary to the Board of Directors of ADNH Catering which is the biggest catering and supports services group in the UAE. Such appointment follows the successful buyout/takeover by ADNH in March 2024 of the ADNH Compass UAE JV companies.
Nadim is a passionate of the hospitality industry and had successfully completed in 2020 a “Real Estate Hotel Investments & Asset Management Program” at Cornell University. He was featured as part of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Middle East for the years 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Nova Herlangga Masrie
Director - Indonesia Investment Promotion Center Abu Dhabi
Nova has been working at BKPM for more than 17 years. From March 2024, he serves as Director of Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) Abu Dhabi. He is mandated to promote investment opportunities and facilitate potential investors from the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Africa Regions; to intermediate meeting between Indonesian project owners and investors; as well as to nurture a relationship with existing investors.
He was Senior Legislative Drafter and coordinate the legal bureau team in handling legal sue to the Minister brought by the investors. In this position, he also gives advice on legal and regulatory issues to the related unit in Ministry of Investment/BKPM and other institutions.
Prior to this position, he was a Head Section in the Investment Cooperation Directorate that has a task in negotiating bilateral and regional investment treaty between Indonesia and dialogue partner. He was a member of Indonesian delegation in some investment treaty/agreement negotiations.
Rima Hadid
General counsel, Emirates Investment Authority
Rima Hadid is an accomplished legal advisor with over 20 years of experience across private practice and corporate legal sectors. As General Counsel at the UAE's Federal Sovereign Wealth Fund, she leads legal, compliance, and corporate governance efforts, focusing on structural reforms for government assets and advising on private equity and liquid investments. Her extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions spans local, regional, and global transactions. Named one of the most influential women in Middle Eastern finance and regularly featured on the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist, Rima is recognized for her strategic thinking, leadership, and commitment to collaboration. She is dedicated to mentoring others, empowerment, and fostering innovation in the legal landscape.
Riswana Gaswan, Director - Legal & Board Secretary Imdaad Group
Riswana Gaswan serves as the Director of Legal & Board Secretary at Imdaad Group, where she oversees all legal aspects of the organization's operations. With a robust background in law and a dedication to compliance and strategic legal planning, Riswana plays a critical role in steering the company through complex legal challenges and opportunities.
In her previous role as Head of Legal at Imdaad, Riswana demonstrated a consistent trajectory of professional growth within the organization. Before joining Imdaad, she accumulated substantial experience in the legal and real estate sectors, refining her expertise in corporate law, contracts, risk mitigation, mergers and acquisitions, litigation management, and governance.
Riswana's strategic corporate advice has been instrumental in Imdaad's successful expansion into new markets, including Oman, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. She collaborates closely with the Board of Directors and executive leadership on the company’s legal strategic initiatives within the GCC region.
As a qualified lawyer admitted to the Bar Association, Riswana is also a Certified Director by the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance and holds a certified Board Secretary certificate from Hawkamah and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Her professional qualifications include specializations in Commercial Law, Governance, Risk, and Compliance from George Washington University (GWU), and certification in Mergers & Acquisitions. Riswana remains committed to staying current with legal developments that impact Imdaad Group’s industry. Beyond her professional commitments, Riswana is a dedicated mother of two, a wife, and a daughter. She is an avid reader and volunteer and has been actively involved in mentoring young legal professionals and engaging with the legal community in the United Arab Emirates since 2007.
Roula Khaled – General Counsel, Khazna Data Centers
Roula Khaled is the General Counsel of Khazna Data Centres, a joint venture between G42 and Etisalat. She has over 20 years of experience leading and advising on cross-border and domestic M&A transactions (including acquisitions of data centres and telecom operators), joint ventures, finance deals, restructuring matters and on a wide variety of corporate, commercial and strategic transactions in several jurisdictions including the Gulf Cooperation Council, Asia and Africa.
Before moving in-house, Roula started her career as a private practice lawyer in Paris, Lebanon and the UAE. Her most recent roles were as a Regional Senior Legal Counsel at IBM, where she worked on technology and consulting deals (including GBS) in the UAE and KSA and as a Regional Senior Counsel at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, where she handled the corporate, commercial, employment, IP and litigation matters, covering UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon and Egypt. Before that, she spent six years as a Legal Counsel Mergers and Acquisitions at Etisalat working on some of the biggest deals in the region, including the acquisition of Maroc Telecom, the sale of Zantel and Canar, and the merger of Etisalat Lanka with Hutch Lanka.
Roula is a Lebanese-qualified lawyer. She has a Degree in Law from the Saint Joseph University in Beirut, an MA in Internal and International Business Law from the French affiliate of the Lebanese University (Filière Francophone de Droit), and a certificate in the Essentials of Business from the American University of Beirut.
Sandeep Chokshy
Managing Region Counsel – MENA & ESSA, Expro
Sandeep is a triple qualified lawyer - qualified to practice law in India, UK and US State of Texas. He has worked in private practice for over 12 years with different law firms across UK, Russia, Channel Islands and UAE. His practice areas included banking, finance, corporate and advising on laws in offshore jurisdictions. He switched to in-house practice over 11 years ago into oil and gas sector working with market leaders like Baker Hughes, Frank's International (now, Expro). He is presently Managing Region Counsel for Expro covering Europe, Russia, Africa and Middle East with a lean team based in Aberdeen and Dubai.
Susan L. Karamanian
Dean of the College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Susan L. Karamanian is Dean of the College of Law at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha. Before joining HBKU Law, she was Provost at the American University of Sharjah, Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies and Burnett Family Professorial Lecturer at the George Washington University Law School, and a Partner in Locke Lord LLP in Dallas. Susan is on the board of various institutions, including the American Society of International Law (ASIL). She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation.
Professor Tenia Kyriazi PFHEA MCIArb
Deputy Director Teaching and Learning, Law & Social Sciences
Head Law & Politics Programmes, Middlesex University Dubai
Dr Tenia Kyriazi is the Deputy Director at Middlesex University Dubai. She holds a PhD in International Law, an LLM in International Law with International Relations, an LLB, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. She is also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). Tenia is a member of the Athens Bar Association (Greece) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (CIArb).
Tenia’s research interests include International Human Rights Law, International Organisations, International Judicial Organs, and Legal Education. Her work has been published in many peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Yasser Aboismail
General Counsel and Compliance Officer - MENA, Head of Global Human Rights Office, Schindler
Yasser is an inspiring legal counsel and seasoned leader who merges legal expertise with executive influence to propel global business aims. His dynamic career spans Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with significant contributions at Ernst & Young, PepsiCo, Eaton, and currently Schindler.
At Schindler, Yasser oversees all legal, commercial, and compliance matters across MENA and leads the Global Human Rights Office, focusing on the social impact of Schindler’s operations. As a thought leader, he shares insights at prestigious law forums and mentors budding lawyers. His networking prowess, commitment to continuous learning, and vigorous public advocacy establish him as a trailblazer in the legal industry.
Recognized by Legal500, Legal Era Magazine, and Legal Week for his significant influence, Yasser’s academic accolades from Cairo University, Paris IX University, and University Montpellier I further endorse his professional authority. His ability to straddle strategic, legal, educational, and advocacy roles cements his reputation as an influential change-maker shaping the future of the legal industry.
Yosr Hamza
Director, Legal & Compliance, Gartner
Yosr is a bilingual, multi-award-winning tech legal director overseeing the Middle East region for Gartner. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the LAW, the Advisory Board for the Juris Centre of Excellence for Legal Education and Training at MDX-UAE Campus Law School, the Board of the ACC MENA Chapter, and the leadership teams of the New to In-House Network, International Legal Affairs Network, and Women in the House Network. Yosr is a well-known champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive in their careers through mentorship, sponsorship, and authentic storytelling.
In addition to her professional achievements, Yosr is a Founding Member of the Yusr App. She is also a devoted parent and caregiver, advocating passionately for her child who battles Lissencephaly and cerebral palsy. Yosr believes that a disability is not an inability, and a diagnosis does not define a person. Her child’s unique strengths continue to inspire and amaze those around him.
and many more
Finalists
FINALISTS *
The anticipation has reached its peak - and the wait is finally over! We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated list of finalists for the ALB Middle East Law Awards 2024. Congratulations to all the finalists and we look forward to celebrating their successes on 17 October at Shangri-La Dubai.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
In-House Lawyer of the Year
Abdelrahman Ababneh - ROSHN Group
Abdullah Roshdy - Credit Information Network Co. (Ci-Net)
Brooke Lindsay - e&
Dana Mahdi - Chalhoub Group
Donya Fredj - G42
Ghassan Haddad - CAFU
Jean Raffoul - Alghanim Industries Group
Kinshuk Kislaya - Gulf Islamic Investment
Mohammed Jamil - Petromin Corporation
Saideh Ahmadloo - Unilever
Shadi Mallah - Dow Chemical
Zohaib Tanwiri - Agthia Group PJSC
Managing Partner of the Year
Ahmed Barakat - ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Ahmed Ibrahim - INP Ibrahim N. Partners
Alex Saleh – GLA & Co
Alishia Sullivan - Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Anders Nilsson - Bird & Bird
Bader El Jeaan - MEYSAN
Chadia El Meouchi - Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm
Dr. Fawaz Alkhateeb - Taher Group
Najib Hage Chahine - Hage Chahine Law Firm
Zeyad Khoshaim - Khoshaim & Associates
D&I Champion of the Year
Macky OSullivan - King & Spalding
Mazen Rasamny – Rasma Legal
Thenji Moyo – Gateley Legal
Wael Wahbeh – ROSHN Group
Woman Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
Brooke Lindsay - e&
Dana Mahdi - Chalhoub Group
Laura Reynaud – Cognizant
Mais Alomar - Public Investment Fund
Rokaya Ghoneim - Danone
Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
Akusa Batwala Tuma - ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Alishia Sullivan - Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Chadia El Meouchi - Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law
Jouslin Chibli Khairallah - Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants
Lama Abou Ali - MEYSAN
Melissa Murray - Bird & Bird
Nesreen Osman - Pinsent Masons
Orli Naschitz - Naschitz Brandes Amir
Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
Dana Mahdi - Chalhoub Group
Katie Whang - Johnson & Johnson
Kinshuk Kislaya - Gulf Islamic Investment
Manar Hassan - Al Dahra Group
Modhy AlMudaiheem – ROSHN Group
Rokaya Ghoneim - Danone
Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
Abdulla Saeed Al Roken - ADG Legal
Essa Al Sulaiti - Essa Al Sulati Law Firm
Hassan El Sayed - MEYSAN
Hegui Taha - GLA & Co
Ibrahim Shehata - Shehata & Partners
Ja'far Moh'd Khier AlSabbagh - Al Khair Legal Attorneys
Marwa Al Siyabi - Greenberg Traurig
Mary Ghali - Pinsent Masons
IN‐HOUSE CATEGORIES
Construction and Real Estate In-House Team of the Year
Aldar Properties PJSC
Arada
NEOM
Orascom Construction
ROSHN Group
SODIC
Energy and Resources In-House Team of the Year
ADNOC Group
Emirates Water and Electricity Company
OQ
Petrofac
QatarEnergy
Healthcare and Pharmaceutical In-House Team of the Year
Astellas Pharma
Bayer
Burjeel Holdings
Medtronic
Nutricia Middle East
Takeda
Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
Ahli United Bank
Beltone
E& Money
Equiti Group
Fajr Capital
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Innovative In-House Team of the Year
Bayer
Chalhoub Group
The Moon Group
Transportation and Logistics In-House Team of the Year
AD Ports
Agility
Air Arabia
DHL Group
DP World
Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
Cafu App DMCC
Careem Technologies
center3
E&
Lucid
Orange
Solutions by STC
Middle East In-House Team of the Year
Agthia Group PJSC
Alghanim Industries Group
Careem Technologies
Chalhoub Group
DHL Group
Dubai Municipality
E&
Jumeirah
Lucid
Nestle
Public Investment Fund
ROSHN Group
LAW FIRM CATEGORIES
Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
Afridi & Angell
Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Hage-Chahine Law Firm
Hamdam AlShamsi Lawyer & Legal Consultants
Khodeir & Partners
Khoshaim & Associates
M&CO Legal
MRP Advisory
Shehata & Partners
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
AX Law
Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants
M&CO Legal
Mantle Law
MRP Advisory
Rasma Legal
Shehata & Partners
Silk Legal
Construction and Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
Afridi & Angell
Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Hage Chahine Law Firm
Khoshaim & Associates
MRP Advisory
Pinsent Masons
Deal Firm of the Year
Afridi & Angell
ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Hassan Radhi & Associates
MEYSAN
Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year
ADSERO - Ragy Soliman & Partners
Hassan Radhi & Associates
King & Spalding
Shehata & Partners
Fintech Law Firm of the Year
AX Law
King & Spalding
Rasma Legal
White & Case
Foreign Law Firm of the Year
Cyan Law Firm
Dacheng Law Offices
Grandall Law Firm
Han Kun Law Offices
Milbank
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Skadden
Zhejiang Zhiren Law Firm
Zhong Lun Law Firm
Zhonglun W&D Law Firm
Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
Bird & Bird
Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
OGH Legal
Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year
ADSERO - Ragy Soliman & Partners
Afridi & Angell
Dentons
Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Gateley Legal
Hourani & Partners
Pinsent Masons
Shehata & Partners
Litigation Law Firm of the Year
ADG Legal
ADSERO - Ragy Soliman & Partners
Afridi & Angell
ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Hage Chahine Law Firm
Khodeir and Partners
Khoshaim & Associates
MAS Law
OGH Legal
Rising Law Firm of the Year
AX Law
GLA & Co
NYK Law Firm
OBH Lawyers
Bahrain Law Firm of the Year
Alajooz & Associates
ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Hassan Radhi & Associates
Haya Rashed Al Khalifa Attorneys
Raees + Co
Kuwait Law Firm of the Year
Al Yaqout & Al Fouzan Legal Group
Al-Arbash International Law Center
ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
GLA & Co
MEYSAN
Taher Group
Qatar Law Firm of the Year
Badri and Salim El Meouchi
Crowell and Moring
Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Pinsent Masons
Egypt Law Firm of the Year
ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners
Hafez & Partners
Khodeir and Partners
MEYSAN
OGH Legal
Shehata & Partners
Jordan Law Firm of the Year
Ali Sharif Zu'bi Advocates & Legal Consultants
AlKhair Legal Attorneys
OBH Lawyers
Lebanon Law Firm of the Year
Abou Jaoude & Associates Law Firm
Alem & Associates
Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm
Hage Chahine Law Firm
MEYSAN
Rasma Legal
Saudi Arabia Law Firm of the Year
ADP Law Firm
Dentons Arabia Law
Greenberg Traurig
JP Legal
King & Spalding
Khoshaim & Associates
Naji Khairan Advocates & Legal Consultants
Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
ADSERO - Ragy Soliman & Partners
ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners (ASAR)
Hourani & Partners
OGH Legal
Taylor Wessing
Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners
Pinsent Masons
Rasma Legal
White & Case
UAE Law Firm of the Year
Afridi & Angell
Bird & Bird
Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Hourani & Partners
INP Ibrahim N. Partners
King & Spalding
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
OGH Legal
Middle East Law Firm of the Year
Afridi & Angell
BonelliErede
Crowell and Moring
Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm
GLA & Co
Hage Chahine Law Firm
Hourani & Partners
Khoshaim & Associates
King & Spalding
OGH Legal
Rasma Legal
DEAL CATEGORIES **
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Bahrain Steel Company Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility
Law firms: ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; Baker & McKenzie; Hassan Radhi and Associates; Trowers & Hamlins
Bapco Energies Sukuk Issuance
Law firms: A&O Shearman; Hassan Radhi & Associates; Latham & Watkins; Zu'bi Partners
Egypt’s Sustainable Financing Loan with Dhaman Insurance
Law firms: Baker McKenzie; Dentons; GLA & Co; Reed Smith
Bank: Bank ABC
Kingdom of Bahrain Sovereign Note Issuance
Law firms: A&O Shearman; Dechert; Hassan Radhi & Associates; Zu'bi Partners
KIPCO’s Trust Certificate Issuance Programme
Law firms: A&O Shearman; ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; Clifford Chance; Walkers
Banks: BNY Mellon; KFH Capital Investment; Kamco Investment; Warba Bank
Kuwait Projects Company's Bond Issuance
Law firm: ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom Saudi Arabian – Bond Program
Law firms: A&O Shearman; Khoshaim & Associates; Linklaters
Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company Sukuk Programme Update and Issuance
Law firms: A&O Shearman; Khoshaim & Associates; White & Case
Bank: HSBC Saudi Arabia
TMS and GreenSaif Sukuk Issuance for Aramco Gas Pipelines
Law firms: Khoshaim & Associates; Milbank
Bank: JP Morgan
Equity Market Deal of the Year
Agility's IPO
Law firms: MEYSAN; White & Case
Americana Restaurants' IPO and Dual Listing
Law firms: Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in cooperation with Clifford Chance; A&O Shearman; ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; GLA & Co; Ibrahim & Partners; Khoshaim & Associates
Banks: FAB Capital; Goldman Sachs Saudi Arabia; Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia; SNB Capital
Fairfax's Purchase of Equity Shares
Law firms: ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; Baker McKenzie; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Luberef's IPO
Law firms: Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Khoshaim & Associates; Latham & Watkins
Banks: Citi; HSBC; Morgan Stanley; SNB Capital
Marafiq's IPO
Law firms: Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in cooperation with Clifford Chance; Baker McKenzie; Khoshaim & Associates
Banks: HSBC Saudi Arabia; Riyad Capital
Secondary Public Offering by Saudi Aramco
Law firms: Latham & Watkins; White & Case
Banks: Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation; Al Rajhi Capital; Alinma Bank; Arab National Bank; Banque Saudi Fransi; BNP PARIBAS; BOCI Asia; China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities; Citigroup Saudi Arabia; Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia; EFG Holding; Goldman Sachs Saudi Arabia; HSBC Saudi Arabia; J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia Company; M. Klein and Company; Merrill Lynch Saudi Arabia; Moelis & Company; Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia; Riyad Bank; Riyad Capital; Saudi Awwal Bank; Saudi Fransi Capital; SNB Capital Company; The Saudi National Bank
M&A Deal of the Year
Fajr Capital Consortium's Acquisition of Aster GC
Law firms: ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; A&O Shearman
Kuwait Finance House's Strategic Acquisition of Ahli United Bank
Law firms: ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Linklaters
Macquire Airfinance Group's Acquisition of ALAFCO's Assets
Law firms: ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners; Clifford Chance; Vedder Price
Saudi Arabian Oil Company’s Acquisition of MidOcean Holdings II
Law firms: A&O Shearman; ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners
Saudi Aramco and DHL's Joint Venture
Law firms: Khoshaim & Associates
Securities House and Al Dhow Capital Investment in Aster Healthcare
Law firms: A&O Shearman; Baker McKenzie; Meysan
**COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
Please note that the inclusion of banks and legal advisors in the transactions essentially reflects the information provided by nominating organizations. Therefore, any omission of a party involved in any of these transactions should not be taken as a commentary on the role assumed by that party. For queries about the shortlist, please contact Lokesh at lokesh.bogati@thomsonreuters.com.
* The above list will be regularly updated until final.
Winners
WINNERS
Winners will be announced at the awards night.
Quotes
Book Now
Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. sharp, cocktail
Venue: Shangri-La Dubai - AI Nojoom (Grand Ballroom) Venue Updated!!!
Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Near Financial Metro Station)
Attire: Black Tie
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Six Seats (6) | USD 4500
Four Seats (4) | USD 3400
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Ticket Price Exclusive of 5% VAT.
Booking starts with four (4) seats. Book your tickets below.
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For reservation assistance, sponsorship opportunities, or non-finalist attendees' inquiries, please contact:
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**Terms and conditions apply. Thomson Reuters must be informed of any cancellation 14 working days before the event date. Cancellations made more than 14 working days of the event will incur an administrative fee of USD$425 per awards seat; cancellations made 14 working days or less will be liable for the full fee, and no refund will be provided. Failure to provide advance notice of cancellation will result in the forfeiting of payment. If any participant who has not paid will be required to pay Thomson Reuters MENA FZ-LLC
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ELIGIBILITY
How do I know if I am eligible to make a submission?
We highly encourage all firms, individuals and in-house teams to submit, as we have numerous award categories to choose from. We welcome both past participants and newcomers to join the submission for the awards.
Is self-nomination permitted?
Yes, we accept self-nominated submissions. We also accept third-party submissions, should you wish to nominate an external party or vice versa.
Is there a fee required to make a submission in the law awards?
Each submission for the law awards must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee which will go towards helping ALB process your submission for the purpose of judging. The application fee must be received by the submission deadline in order for the submission to be considered for the award. The payment of the application fee does not guarantee that the submission will be shortlisted for an award. Note this is only applicable for law firms.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
When will the finalists and winners be announced?
The shortlist of finalists will be released around 4-8 weeks prior to the awards ceremony. The winners will be exclusively announced at the awards ceremony on October 2024.
NOMINATION PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT
How are the finalists chosen?
Asian Legal Business will compile all of the submission entries, and the ALB editorial and research teams will extensively review each submission to ensure the criteria are met in order to advance to the shortlist of finalists. We stress that this process is fair, impartial and not subject to external influences.
How are the winners chosen?
Once the shortlist of finalists have been announced, an independent judging panel will review and select their top five choices for the award categories they are assigned to. The scores for each award category will be tabulated, and the individual/firm/team with the highest score will be announced as the winner.
What are the award categories that I can take part in?
Any law firms, in-house teams or individuals may take part in multiple award categories if appropriate. ALB reserve the right to move entries from one category to another if such a change is considered appropriate. ALB’s decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Who will be on the judging panel for ALB Law Awards?
There will be an independent judging panel of at least 25 senior and expert legal industry leaders to review the submission materials. The judging panel will be selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge and will be comprised from various sectors to correspond to the diverse list of award categories. A partial list of judges’ names will be released prior to the awarding ceremony, and the remaining judges will be revealed on the evening of the awards.
What will my contact information/my client’s information be used for?
All contact information provided will not be disclosed to external parties; and will only be seen by our ALB research team and the judges panel. We keep the information on record internally, in case we need to contact you or your client regarding any questions or discrepancies in the submission form.
Where will my name/firm name/team name be published if we are a finalist or winner?
As a finalist and/or winner, your firm/team/individual name will be published in ALB awards materials and print magazine. For more information, please contact us.
Is my submission confidential?
The submission information will be provided to the independent judging panel, for the judging purpose only, whose names will be published. The material submitted will only be disclosed to the above; if there is any information that is strictly confidential, please mark clearly on the nomination form. Though we do our best to maintain the security of the information you provide, any information you transmit to us is done at your own risk and Thomson Reuters is not responsible for any unauthorized transmission of information.
SPONSORSHIP, PARTICIPATION AND OTHER
I would like to sponsor the ALB Law Awards.
Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or +65 6973 8258 for further details regarding sponsorship.
I am interested in being an official partner of the ALB Law Awards, as a media/legal association.
Please contact tracy.li@thomsonreuters.com.
My practice area or specialty is not listed, but I would like to participate in the Awards.
Please get in touch with our ALB Law Awards research team at Albawards@thomsonreuters.com.
Can I participate in Awards across the region?
Yes, you can participate in more than one market. Please note there may be specific criteria for each market.
What happens if the winner of a category is not able to attend the ceremony?
The award will be given to the highest-scoring firm, department or individual in attendance at the ceremony.
Disclaimer
Note: We encourage finalists to attend the awards ceremony. The results of the Awards will be announced on the night of the ceremony, and the trophy will be given to the highest-scoring firm, department or individual in attendance at the ceremony. We congratulate all finalists and encourage you to attend the ceremony to celebrate your achievements together.
Who should attend the Awards Ceremony? Can I attend?
We welcome all finalists and non-finalists to join the Awards Ceremony; please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or +65 6973 8258.
I would like to order a winner’s trophy and/or certificate (for finalists and winners).
Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or +65 6973 8258.
How can I receive communications related to the ALB Law Awards?
Please email tracy.li@thomsonreuters.com to subscribe to the ALB mailing list.
Asian Legal Business – Who are We?
Asian Legal Business (ALB) is owned by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals. With its portfolio of leading titles, law awards, in-house legal summits and online services, ALB provides authoritative and unbiased insights and unmatched networking and business development opportunities to legal professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific.
ALB combines news and analysis from its team of professional legal journalists and the expert opinions of senior industry professionals with Reuters news and insights that power businesses across the globe.
Please visit legalbusinessonline.com for further information.
Asian Legal Business – Law Awards
The ALB Law Awards are the pre-eminent legal awards in Asia-Pacific, held annually in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and UAE. The Awards are comprised of months of intensive research and culminate in a black-tie Awarding Ceremony in each of the markets. We cordially invite you to take part in these prestigious awards and celebrate.