Middle East 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Group Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel | Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI)
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, head – corporate risk, compliance and legal | VFS Global
Vice president and head of legal, Middle East and Africa | DHL
Chief Legal & Assurance Officer | Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises
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
Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer | Ooredoo Group
UAE General Counsel and Regional General Counsel, MENAT | HSBC Bank Middle East
Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel | Qatar Airways
Group chief legal officer | Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Regional General Counsel, Growth and Emerging Markets, Takeda Pharmaceuticals | Takeda
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 | 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
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
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...
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...
Chief legal and government affairs officer | Cruise Saudi
General Counsel, Regional Support and Legal Operations | Accor
Director of legal - Middle East, Turkey, Africa and Pakistan | TikTok
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...
Executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary | Saudi Aramco
Chief legal, regulatory, compliance officer and board secretary | Zain Bahrain
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...
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...
Vice president legal, deputy general counsel | Etihad Airways
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!
Sharq Law Firm is honored to be Qatar’s exclusive sponsor of the GC Powerlist Middle East 2024, an event recognizing the exceptional vision and influence of the region’s top General Counsel and in-house legal leaders. The event not only recognizes the strategic foresight of the region’s leading General Counsel and legal heads but also highlights exceptional legal practices and innovative solutions that drive the evolution of the legal profession—each selected for their innovative contributions and strategic foresight.
By sponsoring this event, Sharq Law Firm underscores its dedication to advancing the legal sector on both regional and global scales. The gathering offers a unique opportunity to connect with top lawyers, legal experts, and influential decision-makers, enhancing the role and visibility of Qatari legal expertise on the regional and international stage.
Sharq Law Firm’s participation highlights its commitment to fostering professional growth, supporting Qatar’s presence in international forums, and actively engaging with the global legal community to exchange knowledge and expertise. As one of Qatar’s leading firms, Sharq Law Firm is dedicated to advancing legal standards, delivering innovative solutions, and strengthening its role in a rapidly changing legal landscape.
We proudly celebrate these pioneering leaders who are setting new benchmarks across industries. This gathering is an inspiring reminder of the transformative impact of legal counsel across the Middle East, and we look forward to toasting to their successes in this remarkable setting.
On October 2, Legal 500 returned to Copenhagen to host the highly anticipated GC Summit: Denmark 2025 at the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel. The event brought together prominent voices from the legal and business communities to explore the evolving role of in-house counsel in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
The day began with opening remarks from Legal 500’s editorial lead, Francisco Castro, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for the summit. He emphasised the importance of convening the corporate counsel community to engage in meaningful dialogue around the pressing challenges – and emerging opportunities – facing legal teams today.
The first panel delved into crisis management strategies for legal departments. Hanne Marthine Frederiksen, partner at Poul Schmith, and Søren Søndergaard, director at Rud Pedersen, shared practical insights on early risk detection, cross-functional coordination, and post-crisis recovery planning. The discussion underscored the growing expectation for legal teams to lead during periods of uncertainty and equipped attendees with actionable tools to enhance organisational resilience.
The second panel focused on regulatory reform, specifically the EU’s Digital Omnibus proposal and anticipated changes to the GDPR and NIS 2 Directive. Marlene Winther Plas and Christian Wiese Svanberg from DLA Piper Denmark, joined by Heidi Warm from the firm’s Brussels office and Tina Dorthe Nielsen, senior legal counsel at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, offered a practitioner’s perspective on navigating evolving data protection and cybersecurity legislation. The panel highlighted areas where simplification could benefit businesses and improve compliance outcomes.
After a short coffee break, the conversation turned to the insurance industry’s response to emerging global risks. Medea Solevad Plesner, legal director at Kennedys, Anja Deleuran, senior insurance manager at Carlsberg, Thomas Brenøe, director at Insurance and Pension Denmark, Lars Søhøj, financial lines underwriter at Zurich, and Jonas Spangsberg Svensson, attorney at The RiskPoint Group, explored how climate change, geopolitical instability, and the rise of consumer-led class actions are reshaping corporate risk profiles. The panel examined implications for claims handling and the future of insurance solutions across cyber, product liability, property, and D&O.
The final panel of the day addressed how legal teams can position themselves as strategic business partners. Moderated by Francisco Castro, the session featured John F. Kuckleman, group general counsel at Novo Nordisk, and Pia Ullum, legal vice president at Dell Technologies. Both speakers shared compelling examples of how in-house counsel can align more closely with business objectives, demonstrate measurable value, and build influence across the C-suite. The discussion highlighted the shift from reactive legal support to proactive leadership and commercial insight.
To close the event, Francisco Castro thanked all speakers and attendees for their contributions and engagement throughout the day. He reaffirmed Legal 500’s commitment to supporting the in-house legal community through high-impact events and thought leadership. Guests were then invited to enjoy refreshments and informal networking, providing a relaxed setting to continue conversations and forge new connections.
