Explore the campus. Understand the legacy. Shape the future. Where theory meets practice 125 years in the making We advance We activate birmingham.ac.uk/dubaiSeptember 2025 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, September always has that sense of a fresh start. Summer recedes, diaries fi ll, and a new cycle begins. At Law Middle East, we wanted to capture that momentum in this issue by making it our most ambitious yet. What better way to set the tone than to feature our fi rst in-house lawyer on the cover. Not just any lawyer, but Marwan Nijmeh, the group chief legal offi cer of ADNOC—one of the world’s largest and most infl uential energy companies. This is more than just a profi le; it is the fi rst time anyone in his role has spoken to the media, and what emerges is a fascinating insight into how law, business and leadership merge at the highest level. His intention is to oil the wheels of commerce, helping to sharpen, not slow, decisions, making legal strategy indistinguishable from business strategy. His story highlights how legal expertise can fuel growth in an industry undergoing rapid change, particularly in the Middle East. It is also about legacy, as his commitment to developing the next generation of Emirati lawyers through ADNOC’s Legal Development Institute, shows that leadership is measured as much by who you empower as it is by the deals you close. Beyond our cover story, this issue also launches the inaugural GCs in the GCC Power List 2025: UAE Edition. It is a celebration of the in-house community, and the general counsel who are reshaping the relationship between law and business. Compiling this list reminded us of the depth of talent across boardrooms in the region, and the increasingly global role that Gulf-based GCs are playing. 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: A high risk of redundancy Middle East legal professionals face a high risk of redundancy, a recruiter has warned. With legal departments often viewed as “cost centres”, lawyers must shift this perception by demonstrating their value, highlighting commercial wins and diversifying their skills to counter the region’s inherent volatility and status as a “smaller hub”. The urgency trap As we return from the summer break, Salik’s chief legal counsel Anwar El Khatib has advice to help distinguish urgent matters from priorities and those which fall under the normal course of business. His words hold true: “When everything is urgent, nothing truly urgent receives the attention it deserves.” For more, turn to page 50. Law Middle East Awards 2025 The inaugural Law Middle East Awards 2025 will take place at a prestigious Dubai venue this November. Join us for an evening of recognition, networking and celebration—a perfect opportunity to invite and impress your clients. It is brought to you by a publication deeply connected and committed to the region, and we cannot wait to host you. Submit your nominations; see page 7 for details.law-middleeast.com 4 | September 2025 13 11 18 24 FRESHFIELDS LAUNCHES SAUDI OFFICE, STRIKES ALLIANCE WITH LFSH After a 16-year association, Freshfi elds has renewed its longstanding relationship with LFSH through a new alliance CLIFFORD CHANCE REPORTS STRONGEST GROWTH IN MIDDLE EAST The fi rm recorded 36% revenue growth in the region, where it has four offi ces as well as a joint venture in Saudi Arabia A QUICKFIRE Q&A WITH CLYDE & CO’S NEW ABU DHABI ENERGY PARTNERS Josh McFadzen and Bryan Wilson discuss their recent move, why the fi rm provides an ideal platform for their practice, and the exciting opportunities emerging in the region A LAWYER’S JOURNEY FROM CORPORATE ‘BOYS’ CLUB’ TO FULFILLING CAREER Al Tamimi & Company partner Dipali Maldonado shares candid insights from her career, which saw her shift from corporate law in London to private client services in Dubai, at Law Middle East’s inaugural event 11 18 13 24 LME_Sep2025_4-5_Contents_13678590.indd 4LME_Sep2025_4-5_Contents_13678590.indd 411/09/2025 12:1311/09/2025 12:13September 2025 | 5 law-middleeast.com 38 28 48 50 GCS IN THE GCC POWER LIST 2025: UAE EDITION This inaugural list features 14 GCs from the UAE’s most prominent companies; it is the fi rst in a series recognising top in-house talent across the GCC ADNOC LEGAL CHIEF’S GLOBAL STRATEGY From multi-billion-dollar deals to developing the next generation of Emirati lawyers, Marwan Nijmeh is redefi ning what it means to lead a major in-house function at scale THE POWER OF SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Middle Eastern businesses are balancing deep-rooted cultural values with modern strategies to foster a more inclusive environment, write DLA Piper’s Ehab Elsonbaty and Awmaima Amrayaf WHEN EVERYTHING IS URGENT, NOTHING TRULY IS Knowing how to separate crises from everyday business is the fi rst step in building corporate resilience, writes Salik chief legal counsel Anwar El Khatib 28 48 50 38 LME_Sep2025_4-5_Contents_13678590.indd 5LME_Sep2025_4-5_Contents_13678590.indd 511/09/2025 09:3011/09/2025 09:30law-middleeast.com 6 | September 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 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 Manager: Beverly Stanforth Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina 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. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 | September 2025 To read previous editions of Law Middle East , visit law-middleeast.com/magazine 6 | September 2025March 2025 7law-middleeast.com INTERVIEW The inaugural Law Middle East Awards 2025 is launching in November, celebrating the fi rms and individuals driving meaningful impact across the region’s legal industry. The awards will recognise achievements across 24 categories, refl ecting the breadth of innovation and excellence shaping legal teams in the Middle East. The awards ceremony will convene the region’s most infl uential legal professionals from both private practice and in-house to recognise industry- defi ning accomplishments over the past year. This premier gathering for the region’s legal elite is set to be the most prestigious event on the Middle East legal calendar, honouring the best and brightest minds. Nominations are open now until 5pm (Dubai time) on September 19, 2025. Join us this November at a prestigious Dubai venue for an unforgettable evening of recognition, networking, and celebration. SPONSORSHIP david.bentley@itp.com EVENTS events@law-middleeast.com EDITORIAL aishah.hussain@itp.com CONTACT NOVEMBER 2025 | DUBAI RECOGNISING THE REGION’S LEGAL ELITE NOMINATE8 September 2025law-middleeast.com ONLINE Eversheds Sutherland’s former chief has moved from the UK to the UAE, taking on a new role to drive the global fi rm's growth and deepen its presence across the Middle East and beyond. “It always intrigued me that I was leading a global fi rm, but I had always lived in London,” he says. Sunset Hospitality Group general counsel (GC) Maude El Khoury reveals how her unique journey shaped her pragmatic leadership approach and why the role demands a far broader and more commercial mindset than ever before. GCs are strategic partners, not legal gatekeepers, she says. Four leading female lawyers provide an unfi ltered look at what it takes to achieve partnership in the Middle East. The partners from Cliff ord Chance, Linklaters, Baker McKenzie, and Gibson Dunn, brought together decades of global experience and regional expertise at our event. As the UAE marks 2025 as the Year of Community, Reed Smith senior associates guide residents on how to contribute to meaningful change. "The spirit of community engagement is stronger than ever, and those committed to making a diff erence will fi nd a way to contribute,” they write. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE la w - middle eas t .com Lee Ranson makes his next big move My journey to GC away from private practice Becoming partner: Lessons from the top How UAE residents can give back WHAT OUR READERS THINK... Grandmaster: Lee Ranson makes his next big moveH1 2025: DIFC Courts sees 38% surge in claims "Great to see that Lee Ranson is deployed to the Middle East—a global law fi rm in action.” "Impressive growth fi gures that refl ect the increasing trust in the courts as a global hub."September 2025 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE The 12 up-and-coming associates at the nation's top law fi rms ONLINE September 2025 9law-middleeast.com Representing a diverse range of legal specialities, this inaugural list shines a spotlight on 12 up-and-coming associates at the nation’s top law fi rms. These rising stars have worked on the most complex matters in the Kingdom, and are poised to become the next generation of legal leaders. Saudi Arabia’s Rising Stars 2025 has been independently selected by the Law Middle East editorial team, based on in-depth market analysis over the past year. It considers each lawyer’s career progression, standout deals, cases, or projects, key clients, industry recognition, and potential for future leadership in the legal sector. REVEALED: SAUDI ARABIA’S RISING STARS 2025Next >