Director of legal affairs | National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO)
General counsel and company secretary | Drydocks World
Early in my career, I had the privilege of working on high-value, high-profile matters in both public service and private practice, alongside some of the most capable professionals in the...
Chief Legal Officer and FDI Policy Adviser | Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
General counsel | Msheireb Properties
Andrew Johnson is a strategic legal advisor and corporate officer driving effective governance and mitigating risk as general counsel and board secretary for Msheireb Properties in Qatar. With over 20...
Chief legal officer | King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD)
Vice president legal | Al Mouj Muscat
Badr Ahmed Al Busaidi is a distinguished legal expert with over 20 years of extensive experience in Oman’s legal and real estate sectors. He currently serves as the vice president...
General counsel, head – corporate risk, compliance and legal | VFS Global
Group general counsel | Mashreq
Bassam is a seasoned general counsel operating at C-suite level with a demonstrated track-record in the financial services sector, and strong business acumen with sophisticated risk-based approach. Extensive knowledge in...
Vice president and head of legal, Middle East and Africa | DHL
Chief Legal & Assurance Officer | Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises
Group Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel | Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI)
Associate General Counsel : Middle East and Africa | Kearney Middle East and Africa
Vice president and general counsel Middle East | Siemens Energy
Managing Director- Geographic Compliance & Corporate Middle East, Africa, ASIA PACIFIC, LATAM Legal Lead (Growth Markets) | Accenture
Head of legal and compliance Middle East, Turkey, Africa Region, and France | Lenovo
Chief legal and government affairs officer | Cruise Saudi
Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer | Ooredoo Group
General Counsel, Regional Support and Legal Operations | Accor
Director of legal - Middle East, Turkey, Africa and Pakistan | TikTok
UAE General Counsel and Regional General Counsel, MENAT | HSBC Bank Middle East
General counsel, head of ethics and business integrity | Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)
General counsel, legal and compliance, board secretary | Silal
Chief legal officer - Africa, India and Middle East | Air Liquide
Head of legal, Middle East and Africa | Deutsche Bank
As head of legal for Deutsche Bank’s Middle East and Africa region, Mark provides innovative, expert and strategic advice, proactively manages complex legal and reputational risks and implements effective governance...
Group chief legal officer | Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary | Saudi Aramco
Chief legal, regulatory, compliance officer and board secretary | Zain Bahrain
Regional General Counsel, Growth and Emerging Markets, Takeda Pharmaceuticals | Takeda
Deputy CEO and chief legal officer | Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFC)
General counsel | NBK Wealth
Bilingual legal professional with over 22 years of experience navigating the complexities of corporate and commercial law, capital markets regulations, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Holding a master’s degree in private...
Regional General Counsel MENA-APAC | FCC Construcción
General counsel, Phosphate | Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden)
Group General Counsel at DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, Head of Compliance, Risk & MLRO at Nasdaq Dubai | Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai
General counsel | Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC)
General counsel | Core42
Roopal serves as the general counsel at Core42, providing strategic legal advice to the executive leadership and overseeing international M&A, joint ventures, and key strategic initiatives. With over 18 years...
General counsel | The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)
Legal specialist | National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO)
Head of legal – Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan | J.P. Morgan
Vice president legal, deputy general counsel | Etihad Airways
Head of legal and acting head of compliance | Mezzan Holding Company
General counsel and head of compliance MENA - head of group human rights office - head of global compliance culture and training | Schindler Group
Head of legal/ Director, legal and compliance - Middle East | Gartner
We are excited to present the latest edition of The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Middle East, a celebration of the region’s most influential legal professionals who are shaping the future of corporate governance and legal practice. In this publication, we celebrate the legal minds leading the charge in one of the world’s most vibrant and rapidly evolving regions. Within these pages, we highlight remarkable legal leaders who are not only navigating the complexities of their roles but are also catalysts for innovation and transformation within their organisations.
As the Middle East undergoes significant economic shifts and regulatory changes, the role of general counsel has never been more critical. From guiding multinational corporations through intricate legal landscapes to championing sustainability and social responsibility, these leaders are at the forefront of redefining what it means to be a legal professional today.
This year, we have carefully curated our selections to reflect not only individual achievements but also the collaborative spirit and resilience that characterise the legal community in the Middle East. We feature profiles of leaders who are pioneers in areas such as digital transformation, compliance, and the promotion of ESG principles within legal teams. As noted by Dr. Abdelkareem F. Alkadomi, chief legal and assurance officer at Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises: “As the ESG lead, I am dedicated to cultivating a shared understanding of ESG principles throughout the organisation. Our goal is to integrate ESG considerations into our core business strategy, fostering a resilient and adaptable company culture centred on sustainability and responsibility. We believe ESG is a catalyst for operational efficiency and a fundamental transformation of modern business. Beyond compliance, ESG is a cornerstone of our commitment to building a sustainable future for our company and delivering long-term value to all stakeholders which will also strengthen our brand image and reputation”.
His sentiments are echoed by Ahmad Azzouni, group chief legal counsel at Aujan Group Holding, who emphasises the crucial role of legal departments in advancing CSR: “The legal department plays an important role in promoting CSR within the group We ensure that the group’s operations are not only legally compliant but also ethically aligned with our CSR goals. This includes reviewing contracts and supplier agreements to ensure they reflect our commitment to sustainability, fair labour practices, and environmental responsibility. Moreover, we actively participate in shaping CSR initiatives by collaborating with other departments to integrate responsible business practices into our operational framework”.
Each profile within this publication offers a glimpse into the unique journeys of these exceptional individuals, showcasing their strategies, challenges, and visions for the future. Their stories reflect not just personal achievements but also the broader trends and transformations shaping corporate governance in the region.
It is with great honour that we cast a well-deserved spotlight on the outstanding in-house legal professionals featured in The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Middle East 2024. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these remarkable individuals who are setting benchmarks for excellence and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals in the Middle East.
Sara Maggi – Lead researcher: The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Middle East 2024
LOD are thrilled to sponsor the GC Powerlist Middle East 2024, an event dedicated to celebrating the outstanding contributions of the region’s top General Counsel, Heads of Legal, and the rising stars shaping the future of the in-house legal community. After months of rigorous research, we are excited to see the results unveiled on October 30th at the iconic Fairmont The Palm Dubai.
The role of the General Counsel has evolved significantly in recent years, becoming a critical pillar of strategic leadership within their respective companies. Moving beyond providing legal advice, GCs now serve as trusted advisors to executive teams, helping navigate complex regulatory landscapes, mitigate risks, and drive business growth. They play a crucial role in shaping corporate governance, influencing company culture, and ensuring ethical standards are upheld.
We are in an incredibly exciting time for legal counsel in the region, as the Middle East emerges as a dynamic hub of economic growth and innovation. With rapid advancements in technology, evolving regulatory landscapes, and an increasingly complex global business environment, legal professionals in the region are at the forefront of shaping and navigating these changes.
This evolving landscape presents a wealth of opportunities for legal counsel to redefine their roles, expand their influence, and become pivotal figures in their organizations’ growth and success stories.
It’s a time of transformation, and legal counsel across the Middle East have the chance to lead, innovate, and set new standards for the in-house community.
We look forward to celebrating and sharing in the success of this remarkable community over drinks and canapés. See you there!
On the evening of Wednesday, 30th October, The Legal 500 proudly hosted the launch event for the GC Powerlist Middle East 2024.
The event brought together a distinguished group of in-house counsel from across the Middle East, thanks to the support of our sponsors: Taylor Root, ALC, Al Muhamoon Al Mutahidoon, Lawyers On Demand, Meysan, Nami Associates, Omar Al Rasheed Law Firm, and Sharq Law Firm.
Sara Maggi, deputy editor for The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series, opened the evening with a warm welcome. Following her, representatives from our sponsors shared their congratulations. Bapsy Dastur, general counsel and head of corporate risk, compliance and legal at VFS Global, offered valuable insights into the challenges currently facing general counsel in the region. Abdullah Najjar from Meysan also took the stage, celebrating the Powerlisters for their adeptness in navigating today’s complexities, highlighting the shift in their roles from traditional legal duties to broader business leadership.
The celebration continued as Abdulwhahab Sadeq, Partner at Meysan, invited attendees to receive their certificates on stage.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for their support and partnership. Most importantly, congratulations to all featured in the 2024 edition; your recognition is a testament to your hard work and dedication. We look forward to 2025, aiming to showcase an even wider representation of the region’s top in-house lawyers.
