2025 Judging Panel

Majdoleen Aboudi

Chief Legal Officer for Africa, India and Middle East
A Senior Executive Counsel and Compliance Leader with comprehensive experience spanning sectors ranging from chemical gases and power to management consulting, banking, and legal consulting, Majdoleen Aboudi has the expertise in supporting a Multi-Billion USD portfolio, with proven success at building and leading quality cross-border legal teams and implementing legal infrastructure as well as managing external counsel.

Throughout her career, Majdoleen has successfully navigated complex legal landscapes, providing astute guidance and innovative solutions to legal challenges. Her professional achievements include spearheading high-stakes negotiations, crafting meticulous legal strategies, and securing favourable outcomes in landmark cases. Her ability to distil intricate legal matters into clear, actionable plans has been instrumental in driving positive change and mitigating risk for the organisations under her purview. Majdoleen believes that the role of the General Counsel goes beyond providing the business with mere legal advice and to developing strategies that proactively mitigate risks and help the organisation stay ahead of the curve, in addition to ensuring that the organisation has the right talent, tools, and resources to meet its evolving needs.

Umar Azmeh

Registrar – Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)

Umar is the Registrar of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC). He is a dual-qualified solicitor and barrister, and has practised as a self-employed barrister, within government for the Attorney General for England and Wales, and in private practice as a solicitor. Umar has a master’s degree from the University of Oxford (Worcester College), where he graduated at the top of his class, and is currently undertaking a doctorate in law from the same university (St Anne’s College).

Monita Barghachie

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Marafeq Qatar

Monita Barghachie is a seasoned strategist legal counsel of distinguished experience in private practice and in leading corporate legal departments. She is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Marafeq Qatar, a leading district cooling and SNG provider in the State of Qatar.

Prior to pursuing the corporate counsel role, Monita led a remarkable career in private practice working with renowned international law firms Patton Boggs, Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co, Addleshaw Goddard, and prominent Qatari law firm Sultan Al-Abdullah and Partners.

Monita’s skills portfolio includes corporate governance and compliance, legal department management, legal operations, strategic planning, and people and change management. Her professional experience spans from corporate commercial advisory and transactions including M&A, IPO and listing, restructuring and reorganisation, FDI, corporate establishment and joint ventures, to hospitality and real estate development and dispute resolution.

Monita is qualified with the Lebanese Advocates Association and is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Monita holds the designation ‘’In-house Counsel Certified (ICC)’’ by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Credentialing Institute and is recognised by Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Middle East 2025.

Abdul Rahman Batakji

General Counsel, Deloitte & Touche (M.E.)

Abdul Rahman Batakji is an Advisor to the CEO & Executive Committee; and seasoned General Counsel with 25 years of experience, specializing in corporate governance, compliance, M&As, litigation, employment law, and contract management. Throughout his career, Abdul Rahman has demonstrated strong ability to provide strategic legal advice to senior executives and lead complex legal initiatives. He is particularly known for his leadership skills in building and managing high-performing legal teams.

Between 2011 and October 2025, Abdul Rahman has served as General Counsel for the region at Deloitte & Touche (M.E.), where he established the internal legal function supporting the firm across 15 jurisdictions in the region. His work involved transforming the legal department into a specialized team. Abdul Rahman successfully developed leadership skills within his team, enabling them to handle complex legal matters independently and efficiently.

His strategic advice has been pivotal in guiding the firm through numerous corporate restructuring exercises and M&As across the region. Abdul Rahman has been deeply involved in navigating contentious and regulatory matters; and has successfully managed high-stakes disputes before the DIFC courts amounting to USD 128 million and others in KSA and Jordan.

Abdul Rahman holds a law degree from Lebanese University and is a qualified member of the Beirut Bar Association.

Professor Hilary Bell

Assistant Professor of Law and Juris Doctor Program Director, Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law

Hilary Bell is an Assistant Professor in the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar. Hilary is an experienced legal practitioner who brings her expertise to the classroom, teaching courses in construction and infrastructure development law, dispute resolution, and legal skills. She is a Solicitor and Notary Public, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a Member of the International Coach Federation. Hilary’s scholarship focuses on legal education and the role of women in legal practice.

Ishaq Burney

Ishaq (“Issy”) Burney,  is known for his contribution to the  development of corporate, financial services and regulatory law in Australia, Central Asia and Middle East.   Issy is well known in the field of development and regulation of all facets of renowned special economic zones.   He takes a keen interest in the development of the legal profession as a current and past board member of professional associations like the Astana Legal Services Board and the ACC Middle East.

Issy has also taught corporate investment and regulatory law in Australia and the Chartered Governance Institute’s qualification course. Issy holds a Juris Doctor from University of Queensland and Master of Commercial Laws from University of Melbourne and a PGD (Distinction) from University of Oxford. Issy qualified as a chartered secretary (awarded a BDO Dux Medal) and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. Issy is also a CEDR accredited Mediator.

Dr. Andrew Dahdal

Associate Dean of Law (Academic Affairs), Qatar University

Andrew completed his PhD at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) (Sydney, Australia) in 2014 examining the history of banking and its relationship the Australian Constitution.  He is an Australian academic based in Doha, Qatar and has taught law in Australia, Europe and the Middle East. He has published numerous books, articles, notes and commentaries and is currently researching and writing on topics related to corporate law, financial services and new technology.

In addition to teaching, Andrew regularly helps industry professionals understand the connections between law, finance and technology and is engaged in law reform in the Middle East. Based at the College of Law, Qatar University, Andrew is the Chair of the Commercial Law group at the International Association of Law Schools (IALS).

Mona Daraei

General Counsel and Head of Compliance Siemens Energy Qatar and Kuwait

Mona Daraei is the General Counsel for Siemens Energy in Qatar and Kuwait, overseeing all legal, compliance, and governance matters across both markets. With extensive experience in corporate, energy, and infrastructure law, she provides strategic counsel on complex transactions, regulatory compliance, and risk management, supporting Siemens Energy’s regional operations and growth.

Before her current role, Mona served as General Counsel for Siemens Healthineers in the Netherlands, where she advised on international commercial, regulatory, and corporate matters.

A Dutch-qualified lawyer, she brings a strong European legal background combined with deep regional legal expertise in the Middle East.

Mona is recognized for her pragmatic approach, integrity, and commitment to advancing sustainable and innovative business practices through sound legal leadership.

Rita El Helou

Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Board Secretary, Lesha Bank LLC (Public)

Rita is the Chief of Legal and Compliance officer and Board Secretary at Lesha Bank. She has over 18 years of experience in both private and public listed companies in legal and compliance, providing guidance in the commercial and operational context. Prior to joining Lesha Bank, Rita, worked for 8 years with Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C. and Infinity Solutions LLC. Rita worked also at Jaidah Group and Societe General de Banque au Liban (SGBL).

Rita holds an executive MBA from HEC Paris and a master’s degree in Law from the Lebanese University – Filiere Francophone de Droit – Faculty of Law and Political Science. Rita also holds a Mini-MBA in Telecommunications from Telecom and Tech Academy United Kingdom Academy (Qatar) and a certificate from INSEAD in Leading Organizations in Disruptive Times.

Ezieddin Elmahjub

Associate Professor of Law, Qatar University Senior Research Fellow (2025–26), Harvard Law School

Ezieddin Elmahjub is an Associate Professor of Law at Qatar University and Senior Research Fellow at Harvard Law School. His expertise spans commercial law, technology law, and legal ethics, with a particular focus on how artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice and governance.

He has published in leading journals and presses associated with Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge, contributing to global discussions on the intersection of law, innovation, and ethics. His scholarship includes works on intellectual property, comparative legal systems, and the philosophy of law in technology-driven societies.

At Qatar University, he leads interdisciplinary initiatives linking law with engineering and computing, helping shape modern approaches to AI governance and legal education. He also advises on legislative reform, professional ethics, and institutional strategy within Qatar’s legal sector.

Elmahjub brings to the judging panel nearly two decades of academic and practical experience across Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East. His perspective reflects a balance between legal tradition and innovation, informed by deep engagement with both civil and common law systems.

Amira Fayad

Associate Director-Legal & Company Secretary

Amira Fayad is the Associate Director and Company Secretary at Seddiqi Holding. Since joining the business in 2013, she has played a major role in building the framework for the Legal department within the business. Her role spans the Seddiqi Holding portfolio, covering corporate, commercial, intellectual property, regulatory, corporate governance and employment. Additionally, Amira also established and currently oversees the Data Privacy Office at Seddiqi Holding.

Amira's dedication to excellence is reflected in her attaining the Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPPE) certifications. These credentials underscore her commitment to upholding the highest standards in data privacy and protection.

In 2024, Amira's contributions were recognized through her appointment as a member of one of the International Trademark Association (INTA) committees, specifically the Global Advisory Council (GAC). This prestigious role highlights her expertise in the realms of intellectual property and regulatory affairs.

Amira Fayad is a bilingual lawyer with over 13 years of exemplary experience in the legal field.

Cassandra Heilbronn

Chief Executive Officer, Private Family Office

Cassandra Heilbronn is the CEO for a Family Office of a Saudi Royal Family, responsible for overseeing strategy, investments and general operations internationally. Prior to this, she practised as a lawyer in Australia and Saudi Arabia predominantly in Sports & Corporate Risk.

Cassandra acted as President of Women Lawyers Association of Queensland from 2016 to 2018 and has held a number of Board positions, in addition to various appointments, including the Judicial Appointment Advisory Panel by the Attorney-General of Queensland.

In 2022, Cassandra was named an Honorary Member of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland, the youngest to be awarded such membership in the association’s history. Cassandra was listed by Queensland Business Monthly as a ‘Top 20 under 40’ in 2017 and regularly features on the Who’s Who List of Australian Women.

Luigia Ingianni

Commissioner - Employment Standards Office, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)
Employment Lawyer, Mediator and Adjudicator of Employment Disputes Adjunct Professor, Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law

Luigia Ingianni is a lawyer and policymaker with over 30 years’ experience in labour law and conciliation and adjudication of labour disputes.

Luigia is Commissioner of the Employment Standards Office of the QFC. She is also a labour inspector trained by the ITCILO, and a certified Participatory Gender Audit Facilitator who supports organisations to comply with the “Social” element of ESG.

Luigia holds a LL.M, a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Communication, and is a qualified conciliator, negotiator and mediator of labour disputes certified by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ITCILO), the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and trained by Harvard Law School.

She holds an executive programme on Women In Leadership with the London Business School, is a professional trainer on transformative leadership for the ITCILO and regularly speaks at international conferences, including Harvard Law School, Chatham House, International Labour Organization (ILO), World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Development Program (UNDP), International Bar Association (IBA) and International Employment Lawyer (IEL).

Susan L. Karamanian

Dean, Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law

Susan L. Karamanian is Dean of the College of Law at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha. Before joining HBKU Law, she was Provost at the American University of Sharjah, Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies and Burnett Family Professorial Lecturer at the George Washington University Law School, and a Partner in Locke Lord LLP in Dallas.

Susan is on the board of various institutions, including the American Society of International Law (ASIL). She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation.

She is a graduate of Auburn University (B.S. Econ.), Oxford University (B.A. Hons.) where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and the University of Texas (J.D.).

Paola Kattar
Head of Legal, KEO International Consultants
Paola Kattar is a seasoned lawyer and construction contracts and claims specialist with over 24 years of experience. After graduating from law school in 2000, she was admitted to the Law Bar and practiced litigation and corporate law with leading Lebanese firms. In 2008, she moved to the GCC and joined an international project management and claims consultancy, gaining hands-on experience in contract management and risk advisory on high-profile projects.

Her career took a focused turn in 2014 toward construction claims and dispute resolution, where she played a key role in a global claims consultancy firm. There, she managed claims preparation, review, and settlement, and supported dispute avoidance and arbitration efforts, contributing to favorable outcomes for clients.

In 2019, Paola joined KEO International Consultants, a renowned multidisciplinary consultancy. She now leads the legal, contracts, and claims division across KEO’s offices in the GCC and Europe. Paola advises the executive team on risk strategies, oversees corporate and contractual matters, and plays a critical role in shaping company policies and procedures.

Her strong interpersonal and negotiation skills have consistently led to the successful resolution of major contracts and claims, reinforcing her reputation as a trusted advisor in the region’s construction and legal sectors.

Roula Khaled
General Counsel, Khazna Data Centers
Roula Khaled is the General Counsel of Khazna Data Centres, a joint venture between G42, MGX and Silver Lake. Khazna Data Centres earned recognition by winning the 2025 LexisNexis Middle East Legal Award for In-House Team of the Year (Small Team). Roula has over 20 years of experience leading and advising on cross-border and domestic M&A transactions (including acquisitions of data centres and telecom operators), joint ventures, finance deals, restructuring matters and on a wide variety of corporate, commercial and strategic transactions in several jurisdictions including the Gulf Cooperation Council, Asia and Africa.

Before moving in-house, Roula started her career as a private practice lawyer in Paris, Lebanon and the UAE. Her most recent roles were as a Regional Senior Legal Counsel at IBM, where she worked on technology and consulting deals (including GBS) in the UAE and KSA and as a Regional Senior Counsel at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, where she handled the corporate, commercial, employment, IP and litigation matters, covering UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon and Egypt. Before that, she spent six years as a Legal Counsel Mergers and Acquisitions at Etisalat working on some of the biggest deals in the region, including the acquisition of Maroc Telecom, the sale of Zantel and Canar, and the merger of Etisalat Lanka with Hutch Lanka.

Roula is a Lebanese-qualified lawyer. She has a Degree in Law from the Saint Joseph University in Beirut, an MA in Internal and International Business Law from the French affiliate of the Lebanese University (Filière Francophone de Droit), and a certificate in the Essentials of Business from the American University of Beirut.

Iryna Kovalchuk
General Counsel, ZMI Holdings, ADNOC L&S Company
As a General Counsel at ZMI Holdings for over 8 years Ms Kovalchuk oversees all legal aspects of ZMI Holdings across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, where she provides strategic legal guidance to ensure smooth operations within the complex oil and gas industry. Her expertise includes counsel roles in high-stakes commercial disputes and arbitrations under LMAA, ICC, DIAC Arbitration Rules, as well as mediation.

Before entering the corporate sector, Ms. Kovalchuk served as a legal adviser to a Member of Parliament in Ukraine, where she specialized in environmental legislation and regulatory compliance. She played a key role in shaping sustainable policies and aligning national laws with international standards.Iryna holds an LLM from a leading London university and is an active member of several global legal and professional organizations. A recognized leader in her field, she has been listed in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Middle East annually since 2019 and has served as a judge for the LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards 2024, 2025, THE LAW and the ALB Law Awards. She is particularly committed to legal innovation and the advancement of women in the profession.

Victor Leginsky
Chartered Arbitrator and Certified Mediator, Arbitralis ADR
Victor Leginsky is a Chartered Arbitrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has served as Arbitrator in well over 100 cases, a large proportion of which are high-value construction cases and conducts both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. He is certified as a mediator through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (London) [CEDR]. He conducts mediation including construction-related mediations. He confines his practice to that of a neutral (arbitrator / mediator), largely in construction and energy-related disputes.
Victor is an elected member of the steering committee of the ICC UAE Commission on Arbitration & ADR for the term 2023-2025.

Given the many cases he has been appointed to as arbitrator in the Middle East, Victor is adept in the civil law of the region, as well as the common law of Canada, England & Wales and others.

Nisreen Mahasneh
Professor of Private Law
Professor Nisreen holds LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Jordan, and a PhD in Law from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. She joined Qatar University in 2016.
At the College of Law, Professor Nisreen teaches a range of private law courses and serves as a consultant to the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at Qatar University.

Her research focuses on various aspects of private law, and she has published numerous articles and book chapters in both Arabic and English in regional and international journals.

Professor Nisreen has also contributed to international academic and professional initiatives. She served for three years as an elected representative of the MENA region in the Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE). In July 2025, she was appointed by the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) as a Correspondent in Qatar.

David O’Sullivan
Group General Counsel, QNB
David O’Sullivan is Group General Counsel for QNB Group, a position he has held since 2012. He has over 25 years’ experience as a lawyer working on corporate and financing transactions in the emerging markets (principally in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe). David oversees one of the largest legal teams in the MENA region with over 130 lawyers across several countries.
Since 2016 he has been a director of the QNB Global Funds ICAV (an EU fund authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland). Since 2018 he has been a director of Ecobank Transnational Inc (“ETI”), a pan-African banking conglomerate with banking operations in 33 African countries. He also sits on the Finance, Risk and Credit Committee of ETI.

Prior to his current position, he worked at Gulf Investment Corporation, HSBC Plc and Clifford Chance LLP.

Mr. O’Sullivan is a solicitor and a CFA charterholder. He has a law degree from Trinity College, Dublin.

Michael Patchett-Joyce
Barrister,36 Commercial
Michael Patchett-Joyce is a barrister and Deputy Head of 36 Commercial at the 36 Group, London. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and CEDR-qualified mediator. He has acted as Counsel in many cases heard by the DIFC and ADGM Courts. He sits as an arbitrator or acts as arbitral counsel, particularly in commercial arbitrations seated in the Gulf/MENA regions.
Beyond pure commercial law, he has a keen interest in international regulatory law, including environmental law. He has strong professional links across the Gulf and MENA regions. He is a long-standing supporter of the MENA pre-Vis arbitration moot competition and of legal education and capacity-building. He is a frequent and popular speaker at professional and academic conferences.

He is a member of the Scientific Board of the MENA Business Law Review and sits on the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) international advisory committee.

Michelle Ancona Reynolds
Senior Vice President - Lesha Bank
Michelle Ancona Reynolds is the Senior Vice President to Lesha Bank. She brings over 20 years of relevant legal experience across high-profile projects in aviation, finance, defense, and hospitality. She specializes in international cross-border transactions, aircraft leasing, syndicated loans, finance workouts, investment banking, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, complex contract negotiations, as well as business continuity and emergency response planning combining technical precision with commercial insight.
As VP of ACC MENA, and President of McGill Institute of Air and Space Law Alumni Association, Michelle actively supports in-house legal professionals, driving networking, knowledge-sharing, and professional development across the globe.

Driven by a passion for collaboration and excellence, Michelle continues to shape the legal landscape, delivering strategic solutions and fostering meaningful business connections among professionals worldwide.

David Russell AM RFD KC
Barrister, Outer Temple Chambers
David is admitted to practise in England and Wales, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre. He was first appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1986.
He was President of the Taxation Institute of Australia from 1993 to 1995, and of the Asia Oceania Tax Consultants’ Association (“AOTCA”) from 1996 to 2000. He has been appointed an AOTCA Honorary Adviser for life, an Honorary Member of the Taxation Institute of Hong Kong and an Advisor of the Global Tax Advisors Platform.

He was Deputy Chairman of STEP WorldWide during 201 and 2019 and Chair of its Governance Committee to 2021, a co-chair of the UAE Chapter of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association, an Academician and Council Member of The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law and a member (and Steering Committee member) of the International Tax Specialist Group.

In 2016 and 2017 he chaired the DIFC’s Wealth Management Review.

He is Chairman of the DIFC Family Wealth Centre Expert Advisory Council and a listed arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre.

Noelle Tannous
General Counsel
Noelle Tannous is a Lebanese qualified Lawyer with more than 20 years’ PQE both as in-house legal counsel and in private practice. Her extensive and diverse legal background uniquely positions her to lead in the areas of legal affairs, compliance, corporate strategy, and governance.
Noelle is currently serving as Qatar Cool’s General Counsel where she provides robust leadership in the areas of legal affairs, compliance and corporate governance. Additionally, she is an active member of the Senior Management Team. Noelle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Qatar Cool due to her polyvalent professional experience.

Prior to joining Qatar Cool, Noelle was Counsel at Al Tamimi & Company in Doha, advising local and international clients on major construction projects, business ventures, and complex litigation and arbitration cases. Earlier in her career, she worked at United Development Company, focusing on commercial advisory and corporate governance. Her professional experience spans a wide range of commercial, construction, and dispute resolution matters.

Noelle has a Bachelor of Law, and holds an LLM in Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, from Pantheon – Assas Paris II University. Noelle is the co-foundress of the Lebanese Association for Mediation and Conciliation (LAMAC) and a member of the chartered institute or arbitrators. She is also the author of several legal articles including in the Law update and the International Journal of Arab Arbitration.

Marieke Witkamp
FCIArb – International Arbitrator
Marieke Witkamp is a Dutch-trained judge, with five years of legal experience in the Middle East, an LL.M in US law and a Texas bar licence. She has more than 20 years’ dispute resolution experience in a wide range of commercial disputes.
Marieke gained her dispute resolution experience as a judge in the Netherlands, an attorney in Qatar, a lawyer in Texas, USA, and as in-house counsel in Qatar and the Netherlands. She now focuses on her work as an international arbitrator. Her areas of expertise are commercial contracts and maritime, insurance, construction and energy law.

Dr. Aseel Zimmo
Arbitrator, Mediator, former Advisor to the Chief Justice
Dr. Aseel Zimmo is a commercial arbitrator who brings a wealth of experience in navigating complex dispute resolution mechanisms. She specialises in arbitration disputes in a diverse range of fields such as telecommunications, construction, real estate, corporate, supply of goods and services as well as civil and commercial disputes in general.
Dr. Zimmo is also a fellow of CiARB and a faculty member. She has conducted many institutional and ad hoc proceedings in Arabic and English under the ICC, CRCICA, GCCCAC and UNITRAL rules. She is also on many regional and international arbitration panels such as the LCIA, DIAC, SCCA, CRCICA, LAMC, OAC and ICADRP. She is also an experienced commercial mediator and a member of the advisory committee of the Mediation Hub.

Dr. Zimmo is dual-qualified in civil and common law (New York and Jordan). She has also practised in London, during which time she appeared before arbitration tribunals and worked as tribunal secretary.

As the former senior advisor to the Bahraini Chief Justice and Minister of Justice, Dr. Zimmo has extensive experience in drafting policies, laws and regulations.

Dr. Zimmo graduated holds a Ph.D from the London School of Economics in international commercial arbitration and an LL.M from Kings College, London.