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 | 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...
General counsel, head – corporate risk, compliance and legal | VFS Global
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...
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
Chief legal and government affairs officer | Cruise Saudi
Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer | Ooredoo Group
General Counsel, Regional Support and Legal Operations | Accor
Director of legal - Middle East, Turkey, Africa and Pakistan | TikTok
UAE General Counsel and Regional General Counsel, MENAT | HSBC Bank Middle East
General counsel, head of ethics and business integrity | Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)
Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel | Qatar Airways
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...
Group chief legal officer | Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary | Saudi Aramco
Chief legal, regulatory, compliance officer and board secretary | Zain Bahrain
Regional General Counsel, Growth and Emerging Markets, Takeda Pharmaceuticals | Takeda
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...
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 | 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...
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
Vice president legal, deputy general counsel | Etihad Airways
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
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.
Legal 500 was proud to host the second edition of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2025 in Nairobi, honouring the top General Counsel, Chief Legal Officers, Legal Directors, and senior in-house legal professionals across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. This year’s reception brought together over 100 of the most influential and innovative corporate counsel from the region, and was an unrivalled success, cementing Legal 500’s role as the leading voice in recognising in-house legal excellence across Africa.
The evening was opened by Joe Boswell, lead editor of the GC Powerlist publication at Legal 500, who highlighted the growing prestige of the East Africa edition and the increasing challenge of selecting honourees from such a deep (and rapidly growing) pool of talent.
Guests were then treated to some particularly relevant insights from distinguished speakers. Rachel Musoke, Head of ENS Uganda, delivered a thoughtful welcome that reflected on the importance of collaboration between private practice and in-house teams. This was followed by a powerful keynote from Habil Waswani, Company Secretary & Director Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance at Kenya Airways, who shared reflections on leadership, regulatory stewardship, and the evolving role of corporate counsel in East Africa.
The highlight of the evening was the certificate ceremony, where this year’s honourees were formally recognised. Certificates were presented by senior representatives of ENS, including Désiré Kamanzi (Head of Rwanda), Rachel Musoke, Nigel Shaw (Head of Kenya), Donald Nyakairu (Executive, Uganda), Dieudonne Nzafashwanayo (Executive, Rwanda), Rahema Nakirya Ssemyalo (Executive, Uganda) and Binti Shah (Executive, Kenya) whose participation underlined the depth of the firm’s support for the GC Powerlist initiative.
The GC Powerlist: East Africa 2025 reaffirmed The Legal 500’s commitment to shining a spotlight on the region’s most talented in-house lawyers. With an even stronger field of candidates, this year’s edition stands as a powerful testament to the influence and expertise of East Africa’s legal leaders. Habil Waswani’s excellent speech, which got a raucous reception from those in the room, is reproduced below with his permission:
‘My name is Habil Waswani, and I have been an inhouse legal practitioner for the past 21 years in different sectors (having done law-firm practice for 2 years before that). Tt is indeed a true privilege and honour for me to be here tonight, surrounded by the sharpest legal minds and calmest crisis-handlers the East African corporate world has to offer.
First, let me thank the Legal 500 and ENSAfrica teams, for organising such a fantastic event and for bringing us together in such style. Congratulations to each of tonight’s honourees. You represent the very best of general counsel in this very dynamic corporate space the businesses we support operate in. Strategic, ethical, resilient, and, let’s be honest, often underappreciated leaders of industry.
I am so happy that this evening is not about contracts, or compliance checklists, or board packs. Tonight is about celebrating you, the people behind all of that. The steady hands guiding companies through complexities, uncertainties, and ensuring that the opportunities that lie within those difficult circumstances are lawfully realized.
We all know the role of GCs has evolved. We are no longer tucked away at the end of a corridor marked “Legal” or labelled the proverbial “cost centres”. These days, the GCs sit at the big table – helping drive corporate strategy, shaping desired culture, providing leadership and safeguarding business reputations. We have become indispensable partners to businesses, interpreters, navigators, protectors… and on some (many) days, therapists with law degrees. And yet, we mostly do it all so quietly. No victory laps, no press releases. Often, success for us means the expected disaster didn’t happen.
But tonight, we break that rule. Tonight, we raise a glass to the GCs who’ve blazed the trail courageously, with clarity, conviction, and tremendous resilience that only matches the expectations of the Leadership Guru John Maxwell when he said, “resilient leaders don’t wait for the storm to past — they learn to dance in the rain”. You have managed to balance growth and governance, risk and reward regularly. And, of course, always managed to deal with those 10pm messages: “Hey, just a quick question…Are you able to talk right now…?”
Let this evening serve as a reminder that you are not just experienced legal advisors. You are leaders — spear heads and enablers of execution — and without a doubt critical pillars of business strategy.
To all the honourees, congratulations once again for the well-deserved recognition. This is for the heavy lifting that you do, the standards you uphold, and the impact you make – quietly, consistently, and brilliantly so. You’ve earned this spotlight.
