The GC Summit Middle East 2025, organized by The Legal 500, was held on January 29, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre. This inaugural event brought together esteemed in-house counsel from the region's leading companies and prominent legal practitioners to discuss the evolving roles of in-house leaders and the challenges they face in the dynamic Middle Eastern legal landscape.
Key topics addressed during the summit included data privacy challenges, management of international disputes, internal investigations, the changing M&A landscape, the rise of legal technology, the growing importance of ESG considerations, and labor and employment issues. These discussions aimed to equip attendees with insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of the legal environment in 2025 and beyond.
The event featured comprehensive panel discussions and presentations, providing attendees with opportunities to engage with fellow in-house counsel and industry experts. Notable sessions included "Legal Tech & AI in M&A: Transforming the Middle East Market" and "Navigating M&A Deals in Times of Economic Uncertainty and Political Instability," featuring distinguished speakers from leading organizations.
The GC Summit Middle East 2025 was designed for in-house legal professionals seeking to stay ahead of industry trends and challenges. Attendees benefited from practical insights, networking opportunities, and discussions on best practices, making it a valuable event for legal leaders aiming to enhance their strategic roles within their organizations.
Speakers(22)
Ahmed Zaki
Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs at Al Hamra Group
Ahmed Zaki is the Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs at Al Hamra Group, overseeing legal strategies and compliance.
Ali Tariq
Head of Corporate Assets at CapitalH
Ali Tariq is the Head of Corporate Assets at CapitalH, leading principal investment mandates for the company.
Behnam Khatami
Managing Partner at Nami Associates
Behnam Khatami is the Managing Partner of Nami Associates, with over 18 years of legal expertise, advising foreign companies on doing business in Iran.
Diwakar Agarwal
Partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP
Diwakar Agarwal is a partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, specializing in complex and cross-border M&A transactions, private equity, and venture capital deals.
Dolly Ramaiya
Founding Partner and SEO at Truleum Venture Partners
Dolly Ramaiya is the Founding Partner and SEO of Truleum Venture Partners, a technology-focused early-stage venture capital firm based in Dubai.
Donya Fredj
Deputy General Counsel at G42
Donya Fredj is the Deputy General Counsel at G42, providing legal guidance and support to the organization.
Dr. Zain Al-Abedin Sharar
Senior Legal Counsel at Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center
Dr. Zain Al-Abedin Sharar is the Senior Legal Counsel at the Qatar International Court, with over 27 years of experience in the legal sector.
Ed Reilly
Senior Legal Counsel at Standard Chartered Bank
Ed Reilly is an English law qualified senior legal counsel at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai, specializing in leveraged and acquisition finance, trade, syndicated lending, and sustainable finance.
Francisco Castro
Research Editor at Legal 500
Francisco Castro is a research editor at Legal 500, focusing on the GC Powerlist series and hosting various in-person events tailored for the in-house legal community.
Joel Vertes
Partner and Head of IP at CMS
Joel Vertes is Co-Head of Intellectual Property at CMS, with over 20 years of experience managing the full life-cycle of clients' IP rights, including litigation and advisory services.
Karl Rogers
Head of International Markets, Legal at Standard Chartered Bank
Karl Rogers is the Head of International Markets, Legal at Standard Chartered Bank, with extensive experience building and leading in-house legal teams at international investment banks.
Lydie Traore
Senior Legal Counsel at Petromin Corporation
Lydie Traore is the Senior Legal Counsel at Petromin Corporation, providing legal expertise and support to the organization.
Mansour Vesali
Senior Associate at Nami Associates
Mansour Vesali is a senior associate at Nami Associates, providing legal expertise and support in various legal matters.
Melissa Forbes-Miranda
Partner, M&A, Corporate and Commercial at Stephenson Harwood LLP
Melissa Forbes-Miranda is a Dubai-based partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring.
Patrik Daintry
Partner at CMS
Patrik Daintry is a Partner in the Corporate Team at CMS Dubai, specializing in corporate finance with a focus on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and international joint ventures.
Salma Miah
Senior Account Manager, M&A Advisory at SS&C Intralinks
Salma Miah has been at Intralinks for almost 7 years, focusing on empowering deal-making professionals to leverage technology with complete control and confidence.
Sanaz Hosseini-Kolahi
Partner at Nami Associates
Sanaz Hosseini-Kolahi is a partner at Nami Associates, specializing in corporate law with a focus on venture capital and private equity investments.
Sanjay Bhatia
CEO at Pinnacle IBP Management Consultancy
Sanjay Bhatia is the CEO of Pinnacle IBP Management Consultancy, providing strategic insights and guidance in the field of management consultancy.
Sophie Best
CEO at Knowledge Nexus
Sophie Best is the CEO of Knowledge Nexus, aiming to revolutionize knowledge sharing, collaboration, and training in the legal industry.
Taki Eddine Sahbi
Legal Manager at Ariane Holding
Taki Eddine Sahbi is the Legal Manager at Ariane Holding, overseeing legal strategies and compliance.
Tarek Nakkach
Director and General Counsel, MEA at Kyndryl
Tarek Nakkach is the Director and General Counsel for the Middle East and Africa at Kyndryl, recognized for promoting AI, technology, and law.
Yosr Hamza
General Counsel at Gartner
Yosr Hamza is a bilingual, multi-award-winning tech legal director overseeing the Middle East region for Gartner, and a champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Event Details
- Date
- February 11, 2025
- Location
- 🇦🇪 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre
- Audience
- In-house legal professionals, legal practitioners
- Attendees
- Over 120 attendees