I am honoured to present The Legal 500’s eagerly anticipated GC Powerlist: Middle East 2023. This publication celebrates the remarkable accomplishments and exceptional talents of the foremost general counsel in the Middle East, a region recognised as a prominent hub for in-house legal expertise. It is no exaggeration to say that the Middle East edition is one of the standout highlights in the GC Powerlist team’s portfolio.

This edition acknowledges the outstanding ability of these legal professionals to tackle new challenges and adapt to evolving scenarios, encompassing shifting business demands, digital innovation, risk management, and ESG considerations.

What sets each edition of the GC Powerlist Middle East apart is the diverse input we receive each year. In-house lawyers featured here have something unique to share. Some have addressed specific questions, others have contributed thought pieces on their areas of expertise, while some have shared their personal journeys and the challenges they have overcome to reach their current positions, serving as a source of inspiration for their peers.

The in-house lawyers I have engaged with have actively participated in significant transactions, negotiations, and legal matters that have propelled the progress of their nations in the Middle East and advanced the interests of their global organisations. The individuals showcased here represent the most accomplished in-house legal practitioners in the region, uniting an impressive array of attributes that surpass legal expertise and exceptional skills.

One recurring theme from our research is the readiness of in-house counsel in the Middle East to embrace innovation, not only in technology but also in adapting to a new set of responsibilities that will impact the role of the general counsel in the future. As Karl Rogers, regional general counsel for Africa and the Middle East, put it: ‘In-house lawyers need to clearly understand and appreciate the business they work in. Focusing on legal issues in isolation without a deep commercial understanding limits the lawyer’s effectiveness. To some degree, technical information can be considered an area where technological advances in AI will provide low-cost solutions.  The desire to learn about the business and the enthusiasm to regularly communicate with others (often outside the legal department) provide a platform for an enjoyable and successful career as an in-house lawyer and provide the human element that AI will struggle to replicate.   As general counsel, my role rapidly evolved to chief integrity officer. I am regularly asked for my ‘gut feel’ or direction on what we should do, recognising how we are trained to think and assess problem-solving. We may not always come up with visionary ideas- but our opinions as commercial and experienced lawyers are considered highly valuable if we position ourselves as more than just technical experts’.

Dr. Christina Federle, head of legal and compliance for the Middle East and Africa, offers valuable insights into balancing the responsibilities of a general counsel with dispute resolution and M&A matters, emphasising the power of teamwork, cooperation, and coordination: ‘Special projects that require urgent attention need to be reconciled with the day-to-day business of the legal function. For this balance to work, the general counsel needs to build a strong team of individuals who can take over and absorb the day-to-day duties of the general counsel if the general counsel is drawn into unforeseen matters which need her urgent attention. It is, therefore, key to train my team in all of the relevant legal issues I face daily. However, it is even more important to spend time with the individual members of the team explaining the issues at play, as well as my approach to problem-solving’.

In a time when environmental awareness is of paramount importance, everyone is called upon to implement sustainable practices, including general counsel. The GC Powerlist Middle East 2023 sheds light on how these legal professionals drive and embed sustainable practices within their companies and industries. They also share the steps taken to foster a culture of inclusion and respect for diversity.

I invite you to explore the fascinating stories and perspectives of the Middle East’s leading in-house practitioners included within these pages.

On behalf of The Legal 500, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who generously shared their time and insights during the research process. Congratulations to all those featured in the 2023 edition, a testament to the top general counsel in the Middle East.

Sara Maggi| Deputy Editor – The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series

Launched in 2005, Fichte & Co Legal Consultancy LLC has become one of the UAE’s leading law firms. Driven by passion, professionalism, and a team of over 30 dedicated local and international lawyers and counsel, Fichte & Co is a force to be reckoned with and the ‘go-to’ firm for legal advice and business support. Landmark cases include being the first law firm to successfully enforce an International Arbitration Award in the UAE Courts under the NY Convention. At Fichte & Co, we strive to keep our clients’ interests at the forefront of everything we do, and have listened and evolved to meet their needs. We owe our success to our reputation as a firm which knows how to get things done, on time and on budget. Our local know-how and network is unparalleled and, combined with our personal touch and professional ethos, this consistently ensures the best results for our clients. We are proud to say that Fichte & Co is large enough to matter but small enough to care. We regularly advise international corporations on commercial law issues and risk advisory matters, including strategic advice on business risks. Our clients have included governmental and quasi-governmental entities such as ADNOC, Oman and Dubai Drydocks, UAE Classification (Tasneef) and the Port of Fujairah. As a pioneering law firm, we aim to shape the region’s legal landscape and regulation – we are founding members of the Maritime Law Association (UAE) NPIO (which is set to become a member of the Comité Maritime International), chaired the Dubai Maritime Advisory Council (DMAC), and a have a seat on the DIFC Rules Subcommittee. When it comes to dispute resolution, we strongly believe that litigation before any court or tribunal should be the ultima ratio, and that clients’ interests are best served if we can avoid costly and lengthy trials. Our international team of legal experts is highly experienced in alternative forms of dispute resolution and arbitration, and understand that solving matters amicably not only saves clients’ time and resources, but also increases the chance of maintaining commercial relationships between parties.

The last year has seen unprecedented growth across multiple industries all over the world and the legal markets have been no exception. Businesses have needed to recruit in order to keep up with demand which includes building and retaining teams of lawyers. We have seen huge development across several industries such as TMT, financial services, energy and defence sectors. Public sector and government spending across the Middle East on a wide array of giga, infrastructure and investment projects, has both grown economies and kept private sector organisations very busy. The GCC nations have demonstrated their capabilities with an exceptional bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic, as they continue their transformation journeys whilst achieving all time economic highs.

Taylor Root is honoured to be part of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Middle East 2023 as we gather to celebrate the accomplishments of in-house counsel professionals and acknowledge their pivotal roles within their respective organisations. Congratulations to those who earned rankings in this year’s The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Middle East 2023. Despite the challenges that persist in our ever-evolving world, lawyers continue to play a vital role in guiding transformation and driving progress.

About Taylor Root

We are a global legal, risk and compliance search and recruitment consultancy and have been a market leader for more than 30 years.

We help businesses to build and expand their legal, risk, compliance and corporate governance functions. Whether you’re hiring your first In-house Counsel, expanding your in-house team in a certain practice area, or expanding your risk department internationally, we partner with you at every step of your journey.

Our services include contingent and retained search, permanent, temporary and interim recruitment as well as consultancy solutions.

Wherever we operate we have made an impact, from Düsseldorf to Dubai, New York to Shanghai or Milan to Melbourne. From pioneering specialist recruitment in particular locations, to shaping how our clients have approached hiring, our influence is evident everywhere.

Today, we have 16 international offices – a truly global network of search and recruitment experts. Put simply, no one can match our global reach, or our history.

Please do contact us any time to discuss your legal, compliance or risk recruitment needs.

Mark Anderson

Director, Head of In-house Legal

Middle East, Turkey and Africa

+971 4 448 7770

markanderson@taylorroot.com

Victoria King

Associate Director, In-house Legal

Middle East

+971 4 447 0318

victoriaking@taylorroot.com