June 2025 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, In a world grappling with the weight of complex and protracted confl icts, the question of how we resolve disputes has never felt more urgent. While diplomacy plays out on the global stage, the Middle East is steadily emerging as a serious player not just in energy and economics, but in dialogue, arbitration, and resolution. Closer to home, that same spirit of mediation is reshaping the region’s legal and commercial landscape. As economies diversify and cross-border transactions grow more intricate, the need for robust, trusted dispute resolution mechanisms has surged. Regional arbitration centres in cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Cairo are drawing attention from parties around the world for swift dispute resolution, while they, in turn, rise in both capability and reputation. It is why this month’s cover is a landmark moment for Law Middle East. For the fi rst time, we feature a disputes lawyer, and not just any lawyer, Karim Youssef, one of the most formidable legal fi gures in the Arab world and a driving force behind the region’s growing prominence for high-stakes dispute resolution. Having founded his own law fi rm, his story is not just about legal strategy, it is about identity, reform, and the region’s ambition to lead. Until next month, Aishah Hussain Editor, Law Middle East @lawmiddleeast linkedin.com/company/law-middle-east Here are a few things which have been on our radar: Trump’s $2tn Gulf tour President Trump’s recent state visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar saw pledges of investment totalling more than $2 trillion, reports claim. He is said to have joined a business lunch in Riyadh attended by senior delegation including Kirkland & Ellis chair Jon Ballis and Miami mayor and Quinn Emanuel of counsel Francis Suarez. It is not clear why the lawyers were there, but both fi rms have a presence in Saudi Arabia. Read about recent changes to Saudi Arabia’s foreign investment regime on page 44. UAE litigants in UK courts The number of UAE litigants in the London Commercial Courts has reached a record high, now second only to the UK and for the fi rst time surpassing the US, Russia, and Switzerland. Experts attribute this rise to several factors, which you can explore on page 11. Law Middle East live We are taking our next big step into in-person events, with our fi rst taking place on June 24, focusing on women in law. This high-impact morning, designed for a select group of professionals, will prioritise real conversations, fostering connection and collaboration. Head to page 23 for more details and to register your interest. LME_Jun2025_3_Editor Letter_13617026.indd 3LME_Jun2025_3_Editor Letter_13617026.indd 313/06/2025 08:5613/06/2025 08:56law-middleeast.com 4 | June 2025 26 14 34 36 KARIM YOUSSEF’S FIRM IS ACTING FOR GLOBAL GIANTS – AND WINNING Youssef + Partners’ founding partner shares how his passion for arbitration and drive to transform Cairo’s legal market inspired him to build one of the MENA region’s most formidable arbitration practices BIRD & BIRD SECURES LICENCE TO OPEN RIYADH OFFICE Bird & Bird has opened an offi ce in Riyadh focusing on tech, IP, and corporate matters. We speak to three resident partners about the fi rm’s recent expansion UAE’S PRIVATE EQUITY BOOM: NAVIGATING GROWTH, GOVERNANCE AND RISK The nation’s investor-friendly policies have solidifi ed its status as a preferred destination for private capital 7 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN MOVING TO WORK AS A LAWYER IN THE UAE Whether on secondment or looking to stay, Dubai associate Inshaal Ahmad shares the seven need-to-knows, from tax to tradition to technology 14 36 34 26 LME_Jun2025_4-5_Contents_13617027.indd 4LME_Jun2025_4-5_Contents_13617027.indd 413/06/2025 08:5813/06/2025 08:58June 2025 | 5 law-middleeast.com 46 40 48 50 GENERAL COUNSEL: THINK LIKE A SPORTS COACH, NOT A LAWYER Dubai GC Shahab Ahmed reveals his strategy for building a high-performing legal team where every player knows their role and executes it fl awlessly SAUDI ARABIA’S GIGA-PROJECTS AND THE ROLE OF CONSTRUCTION LAWYERS Kirkland & Ellis partner James Clark explains that local expertise, project management, and 360-degree vision are essential for navigating Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion developments EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY TO ENHANCING GENDER EQUITY Global universities are playing a pivotal role in developing pathways for women in law, according to University of London pro vice-chancellor Alistair Jarvis CBE A NEW CHAPTER OF OPPORTUNITY Pinsent Masons Saudi Arabia managing partner Ibrahim Alajaji explains how Saudi Arabia’s legal sector is becoming more central to the Kingdom’s future 40 48 50 46 LME_Jun2025_4-5_Contents_13617027.indd 5LME_Jun2025_4-5_Contents_13617027.indd 513/06/2025 08:5813/06/2025 08:58law-middleeast.com 6 | June 2025 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Aishah Hussain Tel: +971 4 444 3132 email: aishah.hussain@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 email: angitha.pradeep@itp.com Project Editor: Heather Cichowski Tel: +971 4 444 3271 email: heather.cichowski@itp.com Associate Project Editor: Beatriz Valero Tel: +971 4 444 3413 email: beatriz.valero@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton Tel: +971 4 444 3248 email: natasha.pendleton@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager: David Bentley Tel: +971 4 444 3552 email: david.bentley@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Beverly Stanforth Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Events Executive: Ella Johnson Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager: Balasubramanian P Production Manager: Anand Sundaram Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 | June 2025 To read previous editions of Law Middle East, visit law-middleeast.com/magazine 6 | June 2025 LME_Jun2025_6_Flannel_13617028.indd 6LME_Jun2025_6_Flannel_13617028.indd 604/06/2025 16:2004/06/2025 16:208 June 2025law-middleeast.com ONLINE Middle East maestro and May cover star Marco De Leo discusses leading BonelliErede's Dubai offi ce, growing the team more than fi vefold, and his two-decade-tenure at the fi rm. “Our aim is to become the go-to fi rm in the Middle East,” he says. Stephenson Harwood lawyers consider the short and long-term impact of President Trump’s new trade strategy on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and share ways businesses can mitigate the potential adverse eff ects. Drawing on over two decades of experience, Taylor Wessing Dubai managing partner Ronald Graham shares insights into the evolving world of private wealth in the Middle East, highlighting the priorities, opportunities, and challenges shaping wealth management strategies. The nation’s deal market experienced a strong fi rst quarter, but questions abound whether it can maintain this momentum amid global uncertainties, according to Abdulwahid Alulama, partner and head of the Middle East practice at White & Case. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE la w - middleeas t .com Marco De Leo on BonelliErede’s Gulf expansion How Trump’s tariffs impact the Middle East The managing partner guiding the Gulf's elite Insights on UAE deal flow and M&A activity WHAT OUR READERS THINK... Bird & Bird secures licence to open Riyadh offi ceUAE fi rm Habib Al Mulla expands to Egypt "Smart move. Riyadh is where tech, AI, and IP are about to explode. The fi rms that plant early will not just follow the deals… they will be writing them." "A fi rm’s footprint tells its ambition—Habib Al Mulla and Partners' move into Cairo signals not just growth, but a bet on Egypt’s strategic future." LME_Jun2025_8-9_Online DPS_13625725.indd 8LME_Jun2025_8-9_Online DPS_13625725.indd 813/06/2025 08:5913/06/2025 08:59June 2025 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE Kirkland & Ellis was the fi rst international law fi rm to establish its Riyadh offi ce as its regional headquarters in October 2023. Under founding partner and Middle East practice head Kamran Bajwa’s leadership, the offi ce has grown to over 20 legal professionals, with core specialisms including corporate, capital markets, projects, and restructuring. Right now his focus is on making the Riyadh offi ce as successful as possible, he tells Law Middle East in an exclusive interview. KIRKLAND & ELLIS MIDDLE EAST HEAD: We aim to build the best culture and brand in KSA ONLINE June 2025 9law-middleeast.com LME_Jun2025_8-9_Online DPS_13625725.indd 9LME_Jun2025_8-9_Online DPS_13625725.indd 913/06/2025 08:5913/06/2025 08:59Next >