Career Biography

Paola is a distinguished senior legal professional with more than 25 years of experience across the MENA and GCC regions. She brings extensive expertise in construction claims avoidance and management, contract drafting and negotiation, and strategic risk management. Her deep understanding of both corporate and project-based legal frameworks positions her as a trusted advisor within the engineering and construction sectors.

As the Head of Legal for KEO International Consultants, Paola leads the firm’s legal and contractual operations across all jurisdictions and offices. She oversees corporate governance, strategic legal advisory, and the full spectrum of contract and claims consultancy for KEO’s diverse portfolio of projects. Her leadership ensures legal and operational alignment with the company’s strategic objectives while safeguarding its interests and reputation.

Paola’s strategic mindset, attention to detail, and solution-oriented approach have been instrumental in building and leading an award-winning legal team. She has played a key role in the development of standardised contract frameworks and legal procedures for landmark regional projects, and her guidance has enabled the successful resolution of complex disputes through negotiation and settlement, preserving client relationships and avoiding conflicts.

Throughout her career, Paola has represented and advised leading developers, contractors, and consultants on major infrastructure and development initiatives. Her multidisciplinary perspective, combining legal precision with practical project insight, has consistently driven results in challenging and high-stakes environments.

Recognised for her excellence, Paola was named General Counsel of the Year 2022 at the Qatar Business Law Forum Awards and nominated for the 2023 GCC Women in Law Award. Her contributions continue to shape the legal and commercial landscape of the construction industry across the GCC and beyond.