The Middle East and North Africa Awards 2026 is an esteemed event organized by The Legal 500, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating exceptional legal talent across the MENA region. Scheduled for Thursday, 12 February 2026, the awards ceremony will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This marks the third consecutive year of the awards, following the success of previous editions.
The event will honor outstanding contributions from lawyers, barristers, law firms, and in-house legal departments, acknowledging their achievements over the past years. Winners are selected through The Legal 500's comprehensive independent research, evaluated by a judging panel with extensive insight into various jurisdictions and practice areas.
Attendees can look forward to a black-tie awards ceremony featuring a sparkling wine reception, a three-course dinner, and entertainment. The evening provides ample networking opportunities with leading legal practitioners from the region. Sponsorship and table packages are available, offering various options to suit different preferences.
Legal professionals, including lawyers, in-house counsel, and law firm representatives, are encouraged to attend to celebrate excellence in the legal field, gain insights into industry trends, and connect with peers and industry leaders.
Categories
Speakers(3)
Samer Qudah
Partner, Head of Corporate Structuring at Al Tamimi & Company
Samer Qudah has over two decades of experience in structuring and restructuring entities and businesses across the Gulf and the broader Middle East region. He served as the Managing Partner of Al Tamimi & Company from January 2020 to January 2024.
Vera Kolesnik
Vice President, Legal and Compliance at Nestlé Middle East & North Africa
Vera Kolesnik has over 20 years of legal experience and currently serves as the Vice President of Legal & Compliance for Nestlé Middle East and North Africa. She previously held the position of Legal Director for Nestlé Russia and Eurasia.
Zeina Obeid
Partner at Obeid & Partners
Dr. Zeina Obeid is a Partner at Obeid & Partners, specializing in litigation and arbitration. She has acted as lead counsel in major international arbitration cases across the Middle East and North Africa region and is qualified to practice law in Beirut and Paris.
Event Details
- Date
- February 12, 2026
- Location
- 🇦🇪 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Legal professionals, including lawyers, in-house counsel, and law firm representatives.
- Attendees
- Over 300 guests