Chief legal officer | Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
General manager and general counsel, head of legal affairs | National Bank of Kuwait
Assistant general manager, legal affairs division | Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait
Corporate counsel | Fouad Alghanim & Sons Group of Companies
General counsel and company secretary | Kuwait Food Company (Americana)
Lead of corporate legal affairs | Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC)
Director of legal affairs and compliance | The Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation
Senior vice president, legal and board secretary | United Real Estate (URC)
Senior group manager, legal services | Al-Sayer Group Holding
General counsel | Energy Solutions Co. Ltd Meroven Group Ltd & AMG Kuwait
Legal manager | United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC)
Senior manager, board affairs, legal and compliance | Kuwait Credit Information Network Company (CINET)
Group chief general counsel and international advisor | Action Group Holding
Chief of legal and governance | Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Senior legal counsel, head of international and subsidiaries legal affairs | Kuwait Finance House
It is with immense pride that we present the inaugural edition of the GC Powerlist: Kuwait 2025, a landmark moment in our ongoing mission to spotlight legal excellence across the region. After years of featuring Kuwait within our broader Middle East coverage, the country now takes centre stage with its own dedicated publication. This reflects not only Kuwait’s evolving legal landscape but also the strategic significance of its corporate counsel.
This edition honours the trailblazing general counsel who are redefining the role of legal leadership. Far beyond safeguarding legal interests, these professionals are driving innovation, shaping public policy, and influencing business strategy in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. Their work spans vital sectors including energy, finance, healthcare, and technology – demonstrating that their impact reaches well beyond the legal department.
The decision to launch a standalone Kuwait Powerlist was inspired by the exceptional calibre of legal talent in the country and the distinctive challenges they navigate. From steering regulatory reforms to orchestrating cross-border transactions, the individuals featured here embody the agility, foresight, and leadership that define the modern general counsel.
Inside, you’ll discover exclusive interviews and in-depth profiles of Kuwait’s most influential corporate lawyers, representing a rich array of industries. Their ability to craft legal strategies, mitigate risk, and align with business priorities underscores the increasingly pivotal role of in-house counsel in shaping organisational success.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition – through nominations, interviews, and insights – and offer our warmest congratulations to the distinguished counsel featured within these pages. Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence but also the growing influence of legal leadership in Kuwait’s economic and institutional development.
On behalf of The Legal 500, thank you for joining us in celebrating this milestone. We look forward to continuing our mission to elevate the voices and stories of in-house legal leaders around the world.
Francisco Faria e Castro | Research Editor | GC Powerlist Series
Legal 500, in exclusive partnership with BKM | Berkemeyer, co-hosted the launch of the GC Powerlist: Paraguay 2026, on June 10, at Luna 21, located in the World Trade Center in Asunción. Marking the second edition of the publication, the event brought together leading in-house counsel from across the country to celebrate excellence within Paraguay’s corporate legal community.
The evening began with opening remarks from Francisco Castro, Research Editor at Legal 500, who recognised the achievements of this year’s honourees and reflected on key themes emerging from the research process led by fellow Editor, Allan Cohen. In particular, he noted the growing influence of in-house legal teams within core industries and their increasing involvement in strategic, business-critical decision-making – a testament to the growth of corporate legal departments in the country.
Manuel Arias, Partner at BKM | Berkemeyer, followed with his address, congratulating those featured and sharing his perspective on the development of Paraguay’s legal market. He highlighted the evolving expectations placed on legal departments and the importance of continued collaboration between private practice and in-house teams.
To conclude the speeches, Ana Garrido of Constructora Heisecke, and one of this year’s honourees, was invited to share a few words from an in-house perspective. In her remarks, she emphasised the importance of in-house lawyers developing a deep and practical understanding of their business, while also underscoring the value of collaborating with external counsel to handle highly specialised matters that may fall beyond the time or resource constraints of internal legal teams.
With more than 60 attendees, the event provided a valuable platform for connection among senior in-house lawyers, reinforcing Legal 500’s commitment to supporting and recognising this dynamic and increasingly influential community. As the role of general counsel continues to expand, their contributions remain central to the success and resilience of modern organisations.
Legal 500 extends its sincere gratitude to BKM | Berkemeyer for its continued collaboration and support in bringing this publication and event to fruition.