Career biography

Adam Abdel-Aziz is General Counsel and Board Secretary at Hub71, where he leads the organisation’s legal deparment. Over the past year, he has played a key role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s startup ecosystem by negotiating cross-border partnerships, structuring investment frameworks for early-stage technology companies, and working with government, private institutions, and wealth enablers to attract and scale high-growth businesses. Abdel-Aziz is recognised for aligning legal strategy with broader business objectives, delivering pragmatic and agile advice. Passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence, legal technology, and business, Abdel-Aziz also champions guiding the next generation of lawyers to embrace these tools, enabling them to focus on creativity, judgment, and strategic thought.

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

My main focus has been supporting Hub71’s startup ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, which has required negotiating cross-border partnerships, developing frameworks for investment into early-stage technology companies, and ensuring the legal function is a true business enabler for the Abu Dhabi startup ecosystem. This has also involved close collaboration with government and private institutions, as well as domestic and international wealth enablers, to create an environment that attracts and supports high-growth companies.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

During periods of instability, the legal function’s role is to provide clarity and stability. I focus on early risk assessment and clear communication, ensuring management has a comprehensive view of potential exposures and options. Our legal strategy is always aligned with the broader business strategy, embedding contingency planning, flexible contractual arrangements, and pragmatic advice that enables the organisation to act decisively without compromising on compliance or governance. This balance between protection and agility is what ensures resilience and supports long-term growth.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

Modern in-house counsel must combine technical excellence with strong commercial acumen. Beyond providing accurate legal advice, the role increasingly demands strategic thinking, the ability to weigh risk against opportunity, and the confidence to guide senior leadership through ambiguity. Empathy and communication skills are equally critical, because legal advice only adds value when it is understood and actionable. Finally, adaptability is essential. Whether faced with new regulations or disruptive technologies, in-house counsel must be able to quickly interpret change and translate it into practical guidance for the business.

What is the cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am particularly passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence, legal technology, and business. AI and legal tech tools are reshaping how legal departments operate, from enhancing efficiency and compliance to enabling more strategic, data-driven decision-making. I believe in-house counsel have a vital role in supporting businesses as they adopt these technologies, ensuring they are implemented responsibly while unlocking their full potential as enablers of growth.

Equally, I see an important responsibility in guiding the next generation of lawyers to embrace these tools with confidence. By understanding how AI and legal tech can support their careers, young lawyers can focus less on routine tasks and more on developing the judgment, creativity, and commercial insight that will define the future of the profession.