Dolsa Kharrat, Managing Partner at Middle East & Partners Law Firm & Arbitration, reflects on how the firm is advancing a principled, cross-border approach to legal advisory, grounded in legal integrity, ethical responsibility, and alignment with evolving international standards, while supporting clients in navigating an increasingly complex and rapidly developing regulatory landscape.

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Middle East and Partners Law Firm from your competitors?

We do not define our firm by competition with others, locally or internationally, but by an uncompromising commitment to serving our clients’ best interests as our sole and overriding priority.Every mandate we undertake is driven by a commitment to deliver rigorous, ethical legal work at the highest professional standards.

Our methodology is firmly rooted in the law itself. We begin with in-depth legal research and a strict reliance on statutory provisions, which we then support with relevant jurisprudence and doctrine, never the reverse. This ensures that our legal positions remain both defensible and ethically grounded.

We are equally committed to safeguarding our clients’ rights, whether by recovering what has been lost or preserving what remains. Even in complex situations, we seek lawful, strategic solutions that balance interests and achieve the most equitable outcome.

Confidentiality, integrity, and responsiveness are central to our practice. We act with discretion, provide proactive updates, and maintain a level of trust where clients are treated not as transactions, but as long-term partners whose interests we defend with unwavering dedication.

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

We expect sustained growth in regulatory-driven practices, particularly in international taxation, ESG compliance, and digital economy law. Businesses are navigating increasingly complex global standards, and this is creating demand for sophisticated advisory that bridges local requirements with international frameworks.

One of the key drivers is the global shift toward tax transparency and harmonization, including the implementation of minimum tax regimes and enhanced reporting obligations. This is forcing multinational groups to reassess their structures and operational models.

At the same time, the rapid expansion of digital assets, fintech ecosystems, and AI-driven business models is creating entirely new legal questions. Clients require guidance not only on compliance, but on risk allocation, governance, and enforceability in a digital environment.

Finally, we anticipate increased activity in dispute resolution, particularly arbitration, as businesses adapt to new regulatory pressures and cross-border complexities. These trends collectively point to a more strategic and forward-looking role for legal advisors.

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

The most impactful change has been our shift toward a more client-centric operating model that prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and alignment of interests. We have restructured parts of our service delivery to focus on outcome-driven engagement rather than purely time-based billing, providing clients with greater predictability and clarity around costs.

We have also strengthened our internal integration across practice areas, enabling us to deliver coordinated advice on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. This reduces fragmentation and ensures that clients receive consistent, strategically aligned guidance.

In parallel, we have invested in developing our teams focused on regulatory intelligence and market trends. These teams continuously monitor legal and economic developments, allowing us to proactively advise clients rather than react to issues as they arise.

Overall, these changes reflect a broader shift toward partnership with our clients, moving beyond transactional support to becoming a trusted advisor embedded in their strategic decision-making.

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

Technology is fundamentally reshaping both how we interact with clients and how we deliver legal services. We increasingly leverage advanced digital tools to enhance efficiency, strengthen communication, and ensure a high level of transparency throughout the lifecycle of each matter. This is particularly critical given that we advise both local and international clients within a region marked by volatility, where speed, reliability, and continuity of communication are essential.

By integrating secure and agile digital infrastructures, we are able to maintain seamless, real-time engagement with our clients, ensuring that they remain informed, supported, and able to act decisively regardless of geographic or external constraints.

For example, secure client platforms and digital workflows allow for real-time access to documents, updates, and key milestones. This not only improves responsiveness but also builds trust through visibility and accountability.

Beyond operational improvements, technology is also influencing the substance of our work. As businesses adopt digital models, whether through fintech, digital assets, or AI, we are advising on entirely new categories of legal risk and opportunity. This requires us to stay at the forefront of technological and regulatory developments.

Ultimately, technology enables us to focus more on high-value strategic advice, while streamlining routine processes. It enhances both the client experience and the quality of the solutions we provide.

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

In a recent engagement, we advised a multinational company undergoing regional expansion on restructuring its operational and tax framework in light of evolving international tax rules. Rather than approaching the matter as a compliance exercise, we conducted a comprehensive review of their business model, identifying opportunities to optimize efficiency while mitigating regulatory risk.

We worked closely with the client to redesign certain aspects of their structure, aligning it with both local requirements and global standards. This included refining intercompany arrangements, improving reporting mechanisms, and ensuring greater transparency across jurisdictions.

The outcome was not only full compliance with new regulatory expectations, but also a more streamlined and resilient operating model. The client was able to reduce potential exposure, enhance investor confidence, and position itself more competitively in the market.

This type of value creation—where legal advice directly supports commercial performance, is central to our approach.

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

Clients today are looking for far more than reactive legal support; they expect stability, foresight, and strategic guidance in an increasingly uncertain environment. The role of the law firm has evolved into that of a long-term partner, capable of navigating complexity and anticipating change.

Over the next three years, we see our firm strengthening its position as a regional hub for cross-border advisory, particularly in areas where legal, regulatory, and commercial considerations intersect. We aim to deepen our involvement in shaping best practices and contributing to the evolution of legal frameworks within the region.

At the same time, we will continue investing in talent, technology, and integrated service delivery to ensure we remain agile and responsive to client needs. Our ambition is to be recognized not only for technical excellence, but for our ability to provide clear, strategic direction—helping clients move forward with confidence in a rapidly changing global landscape.