Managing Partner Mustafa Muayad discusses how Muayad & Associates is positioning itself as a leading legal advisor for international and corporate clients operating in Iraq’s evolving legal and business landscape.

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Muayad & Associates Law Firm from your competitors?

Muayad & Associates is uniquely positioned as a full-service law firm in Iraq that bridges international legal standards with local expertise. Our deep understanding of Iraqi laws, combined with our ability to advise in English and Arabic, makes us the preferred legal counsel for multinational corporations, investors, and foreign law firms operating in Iraq. What sets us apart is our responsive client service, commercially driven approach, and long-standing track record in corporate law, commercial litigation, arbitration, tax advisory, and regulatory compliance in Iraq.

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

We anticipate notable growth in litigation, commercial lawsuits, and the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Iraq, particularly under the New York Convention and the Riyadh Arab Agreement for Judicial Cooperation. As Iraq continues to attract foreign investment and cross-border transactions increase, disputes arising from commercial contracts and joint ventures are becoming more frequent. This has led to greater demand for strategic litigation and enforcement counsel, especially from international clients seeking recognition and enforcement of judgments issued abroad. Additionally, we see continued expansion in our dispute resolution, energy & infrastructure, and foreign investment advisory practices, driven by Iraq’s infrastructure development, regulatory reforms, and the need for investor protection in high-value projects.

3) What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients?

We have streamlined our legal operations by introducing digital workflow systems and fixed-fee billing structures, giving clients more transparency and predictability. Additionally, we’ve expanded our senior legal team with bilingual lawyers trained in international law, which strengthens our advisory capabilities for foreign entities entering the Iraqi market.

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Absolutely. Technology allows us to deliver legal services faster and more efficiently, especially for international clients. We conduct virtual consultations, provide real-time updates on litigation, and utilize secure client portals for document sharing. This is especially valuable for our clients in Dubai, London, and beyond who seek reliable legal services in Iraq without needing to be on the ground.

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

We recently represented a foreign contractor in a high-stakes commercial lawsuit filed before the Commercial Court of Baghdad. The dispute stemmed from a large-scale infrastructure project in Iraq. Our legal team successfully enforced the arbitration clause in the underlying agreement, persuading the court to stay the litigation and refer the matter to arbitration. The case is now pending before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Singapore. This outcome not only protected our client’s contractual rights but also ensured that the dispute would be resolved in accordance with internationally recognized arbitration standards, reducing local litigation risk and preserving the integrity of the dispute resolution process.

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Yes, more than ever. Clients operating in Iraq seek legal partners who provide not only legal advice but also strategic guidance grounded in local realities. In three years, we envision Muayad & Associates as Iraq’s most trusted firm for foreign investors, ranked among the top regional firms, with expanded offices and partnerships across the GCC and Europe. We aim to become the go-to counsel for complex transactions, arbitration, and regulatory affairs in Iraq.