March 2026 | 3 law-middleeast.com EDITOR’S LETTER Hello readers, Every year, the legal industry pauses to recognise exceptional talent across the profession. Yet the stories behind that talent—how careers are built, challenges overcome, and strategy takes shape—are often far more instructive than the awards themselves. In the March 2026 issue of Law Middle East, we turn our attention to exceptional women in law, not as a gesture of recognition tied to a single moment in the calendar, but as an opportunity to learn from the leaders shaping the region’s profession. Our cover story features Renad Younes, partner in charge of Gibson Dunn’s Abu Dhabi offi ce, off the back of her recognition as Woman of the Year (Private Practice) at the Law Middle East Awards 2025. She leads one of the region’s fastest-growing law fi rms and refl ects on her career journey—from her early beginnings to securing high-profi le mandates. One theme emerges consistently throughout our conversation: success is rarely an individual endeavour. As Younes puts it, “No one person can do it alone.” Instead, she encourages collaboration, shared ambition, and the steady development of strong teams. Importantly, this issue is not intended to frame success through a narrow lens. As Younes herself observes, professional identity ultimately transcends labels. Progress in the legal profession is not measured simply by representation statistics, but by the strength of the institutions and teams built—and by the opportunities created for those who follow. Until next month, Aishah Hussain Editor, Law Middle East @lawmiddleeast linkedin.com/company/law-middle-east FROM MY NOTEBOOK I AM NOTICING... increasing representation of women in senior roles within law fi rms across the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, where more offi ces are now led by incredibly talented individuals. I AM LEARNING... the importance of adaptability amid heightened regional tensions. Change seems to be the only constant, and how we respond often shapes our success. I AM EXCITED... for our next event! Finance in focus 2026 explores the latest developments and the role lawyers play in shaping the future. It takes place on March 24 at The St. Regis Downtown Dubai. LME_Mar2026_3_Editor Letter_13859820.indd 3LME_Mar2026_3_Editor Letter_13859820.indd 312/03/2026 16:2212/03/2026 16:22law-middleeast.com 4 | March 2026 26 22 36 38 WOMAN IN CHARGE OF GIBSON DUNN’S ABU DHABI GROWTH STORY Gibson Dunn’s Abu Dhabi partner in charge, Renad Younes, refl ects on leadership, building one of the region’s fastest-growing practices, and why success comes down to teamwork and technical mastery HOW TO BUILD A TOP-TIER CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE Dean Ryburn, Dubai offi ce managing partner and Middle East construction and disputes head at Dentons, refl ects on the region’s evolving market and strategy behind leading a successful practice UAE: LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SPREADING MISINFORMATION AMID UNCERTAINTY As rumours and unverifi ed reports circulate more easily online, understanding the UAE’s rules is critical for both individuals and businesses, writes Addleshaw Goddard tech and data lawyer Sarah Greenstreet FOUNDING A FAMILY LAW FIRM: ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY As the legal industry marks IWD 2026, Samara Iqbal, founder and managing partner of Aramas International Lawyers, refl ects on the risks and rewards of building a family law fi rm from the ground up 22 38 2636 LME_Mar2026_4-5_Contents_13859821.indd 4LME_Mar2026_4-5_Contents_13859821.indd 412/03/2026 16:3312/03/2026 16:33law-middleeast.comMarch 2026 | 5 46 40 48 50 MEET THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF A MIDDLE EAST ARBITRAL COURT Arnold & Porter partner Maria Chedid shares her vision for arbitrateAD, its early successes, and advice for aspiring women lawyers DIAC’S FIRST EMIRATI FEMALE EXECUTIVE Jehad Abdulrazzaq Kazim discusses the centre’s allure as a global arbitration hub, the key sectors driving its caseload, and inspiring the next generation of leaders RAMADAN 2026 IS UNDERWAY: WHAT GULF EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW Proactive planning, cultural sensitivity, and careful workforce management will ensure both legal compliance and business continuity, write Morgan Lewis employment lawyers OPPORTUNITY AND GREATER OVERSIGHT The UAE is on track for another year of activity, but greater regulation and geopolitical uncertainty mean that deal execution will demand sharper diligence and stronger governance, writes BSA Law’s Michael Kortbawi 40 50 46 48 LME_Mar2026_4-5_Contents_13859821.indd 5LME_Mar2026_4-5_Contents_13859821.indd 512/03/2026 16:3312/03/2026 16:33law-middleeast.com 6 | March 2026 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 Group Editor: Thomas Mackie 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 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 Senior Events Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Publishing Executive: Vanessa Helou 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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To read previous editions of Law Middle East , visit law-middleeast.com/magazine LME_Mar2026_6_Flannel_13859822.indd 6LME_Mar2026_6_Flannel_13859822.indd 611/03/2026 16:2211/03/2026 16:22Stay ahead with ITP Media’s flagship technology hub, featuring five powerhouse brands: ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS, EDGE, COMMSMEA, CHANNEL and CHARGED. From breaking tech news to deep-dive insights, we bring you the latest innovations shaping the region.8 March 2026law-middleeast.com ONLINE Essam Al Tamimi, founder and chairman of Al Tamimi & Company, refl ects on transforming a homegrown fi rm into a regional powerhouse, grounded in ethics and shaped by the discipline required to build something enduring. W&I insurance continues to gain momentum across the MEA region, driven by deal activity and an uptick in claims, according to HWF analysis. Between 2025 and 2026, deal volumes and policies placed increased by 35%. As the UAE capital pursues a measured growth strategy, Yasser Omar, executive partner of Hadef & Partners’ Abu Dhabi offi ce, refl ects on institutional strength, regulatory evolution, and what sets the emirate’s legal market apart. As regional deal-making accelerates under national agendas and economic diversifi cation, rising complexity and regulatory scrutiny make specialist legal expertise a necessity, according to M&A lawyer Sujith Mathew. WHAT IS TRENDING ONLINE la w - middle eas t .com From Sharjah origins to regional influence M&A insurance: trends shaping risk Abu Dhabi’s long game: capital and complexity M&A lawyers must become highly specialised WHAT OUR READERS THINK... Ashurst adds strength in Saudi ArabiaM&A lawyers must become highly specialised “Strengthening capabilities in Saudi Arabia positions the fi rm well for continued growth.” “True—corporate law requires not just the best international practices but local law expertise.” LME_Mar2026_8-9_Online_13861117.indd 8LME_Mar2026_8-9_Online_13861117.indd 811/03/2026 16:2311/03/2026 16:23March 2026 9law-middleeast.com ONLINE Greenberg Traurig has rapidly expanded across the Middle East, launching offi ces in Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi in under three years. The fi rm is building a strong regional team to support growing demand for cross-border work in sectors including M&A, real estate, energy, infrastructure, and dispute resolution. In this article, Richard Rosenbaum, executive chairman, and Khalid Al-Thebity, Middle East regional chair and Riyadh offi ce managing partner, speak about the strategy behind the fi rm’s expansion. As Rosenbaum puts it: “We built this impressive team by bringing in experienced lawyers already on the ground.” GREENBERG TRAURIG’S EXPANSIVE BURST ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST After launching three offices in under three years, the firm is rapidly establishing itself as the premier legal partner to the region’s leading businesses LME_Mar2026_8-9_Online_13861117.indd 9LME_Mar2026_8-9_Online_13861117.indd 911/03/2026 16:2411/03/2026 16:24Next >