Event Report

The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai played host to The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Middle East 2022 on the evening of Thursday 27th October.

Over 100 GCs and heads of legal from UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia gathered together to celebrate the launch of the 6th edition of GC Powerlist Middle East.

First launched in the region in 2015, GC Powerlist has firmly been established as the premier event for senior in-house lawyers, recognising the growing and influential role that GCs play within their organisations.

Joining the celebrations on behalf of The Legal 500 were Gurpartap Basra, head of GC Powerlist series and research editor, Chris Kay.

The evening was dedicated to networking and celebration with a short break for keynote speeches. First we heard from Gurpartap Basra, who introduced proceedings before handing over to Nasser ali Khasawneh, chairman Middle East at Eversheds Sutherland and Mark Anderson, director Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Taylor Root. Linda Mouaz, head of legal & compliance at Nestlé MENA, spoke collectively on behalf of the GCs in attendance about the challenges that in-house lawyers will be facing in the coming months ahead.

A fantastic evening was had by all and a big thank you for the support of our headline sponsor, Eversheds Sutherland and our associate sponsors, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates and Taylor Root.

Thank you also for some of the feedback from those present:

“Thank you The Legal 500 for organizing such a special evening, allowing us to have a moment to remember the years we as lawyers have been through to become who we are today, honour our hard work with a prize and celebrate all achievements.”
Sibel Almobideen, general counsel at Global Feeder Shipping Group

“It is a privilege to be included in The Legal 500 GC Powerlist once again alongside the Middle East’s leading GCs! It was lovely meeting new colleagues and catching up with old ones! Thank you The Legal 500 for the recognition.”
Zeina Abillamah, general counsel at Magenta Investments

“I am thrilled and honoured to have been recognized by The Legal 500 (the world’s leading legal directory), among the best in-house lawyers in the MENA region. I am so happy to be included in the GC Powerlist Middle East 2022, and I want to thank all those who contributed to this recognition.”
Roy Stephan, chief legal officer, director of regulatory compliance MENAT and board secretary at Middle East Communications Network

“Honoured to be included in the 2022 General Counsel Powerlist by The Legal 500 for the Middle East, as one of the most influential lawyers in the Middle East. A humble recognition that I could have never achieved without the great support of my team and colleagues at Zain Group. Thank you! A big thanks to The Legal 500 for this recognition and for being included in all editions since inception as well.”
Firas Oggar, group head of legal at Zain Group

“Thanks to The Legal 500 for recognising us hard working GCs with a Powerlist, and pouring up the dry white wine to really prove the love. And hello to my fellow GC Powerlist people, new friends and old! May your regulatory compliance be complete and your risk registers empty!!”
Fiona Robertson, general counsel OSN

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