PastIn Person

ESG: Navigating the Legal Landscape and Driving Impact

by DIFC Academy

The DIFC Academy, in collaboration with Knowledge Nexus and the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD), hosted an insightful session titled "ESG: Navigating the Legal Landscape and Driving Impact." This event focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations within the legal and business sectors.

The session covered key topics such as regulatory updates in the evolving global ESG landscape, legal risks and opportunities related to contracts, compliance, and litigation, strategic integration of ESG goals with legal and business strategies, and practical steps for embedding sustainable practices across organizations.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Layla El Wafi, Senior Legal Counsel MENA at Standard Chartered Bank; Sabrine Makkes, Head of Compliance and Founder of Women in Mentoring; Alison Eslick, Senior Associate at Reed Smith; and Yasser Aboismail, General Counsel & Compliance Officer MENA at Schindler.

This event was designed for legal professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of ESG issues, address client challenges, and drive internal ESG initiatives within their organizations.

Speakers(4)

Alison Eslick

Senior Associate at Reed Smith

Alison is a disputes lawyer with a focus on international arbitration for major infrastructure projects. Practising in Dubai since 2008, she advises local and international clients on complex cross-border disputes in the UAE and foreign jurisdictions covering a range of industries, including oil and gas, construction, hospitality, real estate, and renewables.

Dr. Yasser Aboismail

General Counsel and Compliance Officer - MENA; Head of Global Human Rights Office at Schindler

An inspiring legal counsel and seasoned leader, skillfully merges legal expertise with executive influence to propel worldwide business aims. With a dynamic career that spans Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, Yasser has left an indelible mark in organizations like Ernst & Young, PepsiCo, Eaton, and currently, Schindler.

Layla El Wafi

Senior Legal Counsel MENA at Standard Chartered Bank

Layla El-Wafi is senior legal counsel at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai, advising on sustainable finance, business and human rights, and other ESG issues. She is also a Global D&I Champion and involved in community service and social impact projects adopted by the bank and in her own personal capacity.

Sabrine Makkes

Head of Compliance, MEACA Board Member, Founder of Women in Mentoring

Sabrine Makkes is a Tunisian qualified lawyer with 15 years of experience in private practice and in senior legal and compliance roles, working for Fortune 500 Tech companies covering the MEA region. Based in Dubai since 2013, Sabrine has advised leadership teams, led complex commercial transactions, and built legal and compliance functions regionally. Sabrine is also an accredited Leadership coach and a Tech entrepreneur, Founder of Envizion Consulting LLC, a boutique consultancy offering bespoke Legal, HR and Compliance solutions using high tech such as Mixed Reality, AR and VR.

Event Details

Date
May 10, 2023
Location
🇦🇪 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Financial Centre
Pricing
Free
Audience
Legal professionals

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