Redrawing the Risk Map: Legal Exposure in the Middle East

On February 4, 2026, hosted the webinar "Redrawing the Risk Map: Legal Exposure in the Middle East," featuring a panel of legal experts discussing the evolving risk landscape in the region. The panel included Filippo Cossalter, Head of Legal Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson; Tanya De Villiers, Global Legal Director at Aramex; Maude El Khoury, General Counsel at Sunset Hospitality; and Randa Salah, MEA Lead Counsel at IBM Consulting.

The webinar addressed key themes such as the impact of geopolitical volatility on legal and business decision-making, the evolving role of in-house lawyers from reactive risk blockers to proactive strategic partners, and the dual role of AI as both a risk factor and a tool for risk management. Discussions also focused on the importance of translating legal risks into business impacts for boards and businesses.

The event provided practical insights into adapting to rapid regulatory changes, increased enforcement activity, and geopolitical complexities in the Middle East. It emphasized the need for legal teams to develop flexible structures, localized supply chains, and robust trade-compliance frameworks to navigate the new normal of geopolitical volatility.

This webinar was particularly relevant for in-house legal teams, general counsels, and legal professionals operating in or throughout the Middle East, offering strategies to redefine and manage risk in a volatile geopolitical and technological environment.