2025 Speakers
Eric Bonnet-Maes
President, LexisNexis (RELX Group) Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa
Eric Bonnet-Maes is President of LexisNexis (RELX Group) for Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Eric Bonnet-Maes joined LexisNexis France in 2007 as Sales and Operational Marketing Director before becoming Deputy General Manager from 2014. Since 2018, he led LexisNexis' Asia zone, steering the development of Greater China, Japan, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia from Hong Kong.
Eric began his career at Hewlett-Packard, where he spent nearly 11 years in various sales and marketing roles across several divisions before becoming a member of the HP France Management Committee. He was then a member of the management team of SVP (telephone management consulting) and Europarts (IT distribution).
Eric Bonnet-Maes is an engineer from the UTC (Université de Technologie de Compiègne) and a graduate of ESSEC.
H.E. Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari
First Vice-Chairman, Qatar Chamber
He serves as the Chair of the Education Committee at the Qatar Chamber and is a member of the Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of Food Security Policies at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. He represents the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) in the Union of Arab Chambers meetings. In addition, he is the Vice-Chair and Secretary General of the Qatari Businessmen Council in Doha. He also chairs several bilateral business councils, including the Qatari–Jordanian Business Council, the Qatari–Belarusian Business Council, the Qatari–Sudanese Business Council, the Qatari–Emirati Business Council, and the Qatari–Omani Business Council.
Faisal Al Sahouti
Chief Executive Officer, Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)
Faisal Al Sahouti has been the CEO of the QICDRC since April 2014 and is a member of its Judicial Advisory Board as part of the senior leadership. He is responsible for the administrative, financial and legal affairs of the QICDRC in collaboration with the President, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
During Faisal Al Sahouti’s tenure, the QICDRC has witnessed remarkable growth, and is now the second busiest international commercial court of its kind in the world. Faisal Al Sahouti is passionate about access to justice and the rule of law, and he has led on a number of initiatives at the QICDRC designed to improve user experience, including a comprehensive guide to proceedings before the QFC Court, a book on the QICDRC’s practices, procedures and law, and a legal clinic to assist those who are unable to afford legal representation.
In 2019, the Council of Ministers appointed Mr. Al Sahouti as a member of the Grievances Committee of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority pursuant to Council of Ministers Decision No. 22 of 2019. Faisal Al Sahouti holds an LLB from Qatar University, and an LLM from the University of Nottingham. He is a certified international arbitrator and a judicial mediator accredited by CEDR. He has acted as an arbitrator in a number of arbitration cases in the State of Qatar.
Mubarak Al-Sulaiti
Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association, Founder & Chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm, Cassation Lawyer, Certified Arbitrator
Mr. Mubarak Al-Sulaiti is a distinguished and highly respected figure within Qatar’s legal community. He founded Al Sulaiti Law Firm in 2002 and has since developed it into one of the country’s leading full-service law firms. With over 27 years of legal experience, he possesses extensive expertise in Qatari law and has represented clients before various judicial bodies and regulatory authorities with exceptional professionalism and success.
Beyond his practice, Mr. Al-Sulaiti plays a pivotal role in advancing the legal profession in Qatar. He has been a Board Member of the Qatar Lawyers Association since 2014 and currently serves as its Chairman since 2022. His influence extends internationally through his memberships in the Arab Lawyers Union and the International Bar Association (IBA). He also serves as a Commission Member of the ICC Global Arbitration and ADR Commission.
Previously, Mr. Al-Sulaiti served on the FIFA Players’ Dispute Resolution Committee (2007–2011), contributing to the development of global sports law. His ongoing dedication and leadership continue to shape and strengthen Qatar’s legal landscape - nationally, regionally, and internationally.
Hilal Bin Mohammed Al-Khulaifi
Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer, Ooredoo Group
Hilal Mohammed Al-Khulaifi was appointed Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer in March 2023.
Prior to joining Ooredoo, he held the position of Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI). Throughout his distinguished career, Al-Khulaifi has taken on several leadership roles, including Chairmanship of the Anti-Concealment Committee, the Tender and Auction Committee of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment, the Health Insurance Law Drafting Committee, and the Qatar Chamber Election Committee (2018). Additionally, he has served as Secretary of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment.
Al-Khulaifi is an active member of various committees, including the establishment of the Court of Trade and Investment at the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, the Financial Sanctions Committee at the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), and the Permanent Residential Committee at the Ministry of Interior. Moreover, he has represented the State of Qatar at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Following his appointment at Ooredoo Group, Al-Khulaifi also assumed several board and executive governance roles across the Group’s regional and international operations. He currently serves as the Board Secretary of Ooredoo (Q.P.S.C), Board Member of Ooredoo Kuwait, Board Member of Asia Cell (Iraq), and Board Member of Aisa Mobile Holding (AMH) Holding in Singapore.
Al-Khulaifi is a certified arbitrator at the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Law from Qatar University and a Master’s in Law (LLM) from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.
Ahmed Yousuf Al-Emadi
Director of Regulatory & Competition Economics, Ooredoo Group
Ahmed Yousuf Al-Emadi joined Ooredoo Group in June 2025 as Director of Regulatory and Competition Economics, bringing extensive experience in legal, regulatory, and governance leadership across both the public and private sectors.
Prior to joining Ooredoo, Mr. Al-Emadi served as Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and as Legal Advisor to the Minister from 2018 to 2020. He later assumed the role of Assistant Director of Legal Affairs (2020–2021) before returning as Director of Legal Affairs from 2021 to 2024. During this period, he was seconded from Qatar Rail, where he worked as Senior Legal Advisor until June 2025.
Throughout his career, Mr. Al-Emadi has chaired and contributed to multiple legislative and regulatory committees, leading initiatives focused on strengthening institutional governance and legal frameworks. His distinguished contributions to public legal reform earned him the “Government Sector Lawyer of the Year” award from LexisNexis in 2024.
Mr. Al-Emadi is also an accomplished legal scholar. He is the author of “A Review of the Judgments of the Qatari Court of Cassation” and has published numerous academic papers in both local and international peer-reviewed journals, particularly in the fields of arbitration and civil contract law.
He has represented the State of Qatar at several international forums, most recently as part of the national negotiating team at the United Nations Conference on Preventing Plastic Pollution in the Marine Environment (November 2024).
Mr. Al-Emadi holds both a Bachelor’s and an LL.M from Qatar University and is currently a PhD researcher in Civil and Commercial Procedural Law at Qatar University’s College of Law.
Muneera Alhammadi
State Case Attorney, Cassation Cases Specialist, Ministry of Justice
Muneera represents the government before the highest judicial bodies and provides expert legal advocacy in complex appellate matters.
Muneera specializes in handling cassation cases, drafting legal opinions, and ensuring the consistent application of law across various government entities, mainly in public law cases and administrative disputes. Her work supports the Ministry’s mission to safeguard the state’s legal interests and uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law.
Being an attorney strongly aligns with Muneera’s vision and passion for the law. With her deep understanding of procedural law and dedication to public service, she strives to contribute to the development of strong legal practices within the State Cases Department and to uphold the highest standards of justice and integrity in her work.
Muneera earned her bachelor’s degree with honours from Qatar University and obtained her LL.M degree at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, where she produced a published thesis based on in-depth research on the use of cryptocurrency as legal tender.
Khalid Mohammed Al-Harami
Founder & Chairman, West Bay International Legal Consultants & Lawyers
Khalid Al-Harami possesses extensive legal experience spanning more than 20 years across various professional disciplines. In his capacity as Director of the State Litigation Department, he represented the Ministry of Justice in numerous local and international cases.
Khalid Al-Harami has an impressive professional record filled with notable achievements in the legal field, having held several key positions, including Legal Advisor to His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Head of the Technical Office at the Minister’s Office, Head of the Technical Office at the Real Estate Registration and Documentation Sector, and Director of the Legal Affairs Department. Throughout these roles, he achieved significant successes in various areas of law.
Khalid Al-Harami also possesses exceptional communication skills, enabling him to handle complex and sensitive cases effectively, particularly administrative cases. He is consistently dedicated to maintaining high standards of efficiency and professionalism in legal practice and is skilled in legal settlements and reconciling differing viewpoints between disputing parties.
Khalid Al-Harami earned his bachelor’s degree from Qatar University, where he developed strong negotiation skills and sound legal analytical abilities. He has completed specialized training courses in arbitration and dispute resolution and has made numerous valuable contributions and offered insightful legal prospects across multiple practice areas.
Khalid Al-Harami is also an active member of several international and regional professional organizations, a former Regional President of the International Association for the Fight Against Cybercrime (A.I.L.C.C) in Paris, and a member of the International Bar Association (IBA) in the United Kingdom.
Muna Nasser Al-Kaabi
Case Progression Officer, Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)
Muna Nasser Al-Kaabi is a Case Progression Officer at the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), where she supports the efficient management of legal proceedings.
Muna holds a B.A. in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University and an LL.M in International Law and Foreign Affairs from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). She is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor at Haman Bin Khalifa University College of Law.
Having a background in the arts, Muna also worked at Qatar Museums as a Collections Specialist for several years. With a multidisciplinary background, she brings a distinct perspective to her role at the QICDRC, where she plays a key role in the management of cases with a strong foundation in legal research and procedural law.
Alanoud Abdulaziz AlKhaja
Founder & Managing Partner, Taqneen Law Firm
Al-Anoud Abdulaziz Al-Khaja is a prominent Qatari lawyer with nearly a decade of experience in the legal field. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Taqneen Law Firm and Legal Consultation, a distinguished practice based in Doha that reflects her commitment to legal excellence and strategic innovation.
Alanoud Al-Khaja specializes in high-stakes litigation, strategic legal consultation, and dispute resolution, and has earned a reputation for her sharp legal acumen and client-focused advocacy. Her expertise spans a wide range of practice areas, including arbitration, construction, real estate, corporate law, intellectual property, and banking transactions.
She holds an LL.M in Private Law from Qatar University, and is a Member of The Qatar Lawyers Association as well as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).
Throughout her career, she has maintained a stellar track record representing clients before Qatar’s courts, consistently delivering results in complex and high-value disputes. Her approach combines deep legal insight with a practical understanding of the business and regulatory landscape in Qatar.
As the driving force behind Taqneen Law Firm, Alanoud Al-Khaja is contributing to the shaping of the future of legal practice in the region, offering tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients and institutions alike.
Dr. Abdullah Hamad Al Khaldi
Director of the Legal and Judicial Studies Centre, Ministry of Justice;
Acting Director of the Official Gazette Department, Ministry of Justice
Dr. Abdullah Al-Khaldi holds a Ph.D. in Private Law from Qatar University. He previously served as an Assistant Professor of Civil Law at the Police Academy. Dr. Al-Khaldi has made significant academic and research contributions through a number of peer-reviewed legal journals and scientific conferences, reflecting his expertise and dedication to advancing legal scholarships.
AlAnoud M Al-Mosleh
Head of Research & Policy Advocacy, Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Qatar)
AlAnoud M Al-Mosleh has extensive legal experience in Commercial International Dispute Resolution, Corporate Governance, and Policy Advocacy. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Dispute Resolution from Fordham University School of Law (New York) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Qatar University College of Law.
Currently, AlAnoud serves as the Head of Research and Policy Advocacy at the Investment Promotion Agency in Qatar “Invest Qatar”. In this role, she works closely with local partners and stakeholders to enhance the investment climate and foster economic diversification. Her responsibilities include monitoring the legal landscape, reviewing high-level agreements, and ensuring compliance with global best practices in foreign direct investment and trade policies.
Prior to her current role, AlAnoud worked in government-owned entitites and international law firms, dealing with commercial ICC arbitrations, corporate governance matters, oil & gas, shipping activities and logistics. Her expertise extends to drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, compliance with international maritime standards, and advising on regulatory matters related to environmental and commercial laws, and in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Maha Al-Saadi
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Maha Al-Saadi, with 18 years of experience in regulated financial services, compliance, and regulatory affairs, currently leads as the Head of Regulatory Affairs at Qatar Financial Centre Authority. Her career includes pivotal roles at Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority, Deutsche Börse, Trade Republic Bank GmbH, and Bankhaus Scheich.
Maha has played an important role in integrating emerging technologies in finance by working on the adoption of the MiCAR, and the German Electronic Securities Act, and formulating strategies for blockchain, DLT, digital assets, and decentralized finance. These initiatives have synchronized innovation with stringent regulatory standards, improving market efficiency and promoting inclusion.
Recognized as a thought leader, Maha frequently collaborates with global policymakers and industry stakeholders. She holds an LLM in Finance Law from Goethe University’s Institute of Law and Finance and is a Certified Blockchain Expert from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. Her work continues to merge traditional financial services with modern innovations within a transparent and accountable regulatory framework.
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).
Roscoe Stuart Banks
Associate General Counsel, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Roscoe Banks studied law at the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa where he obtained his BA and LLB degrees. He completed his training contract at Webber Wentzel in Johannesburg, one of South Africa’s largest law firms, and was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 1999.
Shortly after that, he relocated to London and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2000 while working in the Aircraft Finance team at Harbottle and Lewis, a boutique law firm in London’s West End.
In 2001 he joined Shell International in London as in-house counsel in the Downstream practice area. He advised various Shell entities on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters including joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
In 2011, he was seconded to Qatar Shell in Doha to advise on a petrochemicals joint venture with Qatar Energy returning to Shell’s London office in 2015.
In 2016, he returned to Qatar to join the Qatar Financial Centre Authority’s legal team where he currently serves as Associate General Counsel.
Monita Barghachie
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Marafeq Qatar LLC
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.
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.
Simon Chan
Partner, K&L Gates
Simon Chan is a partner in K&L Gates’ Doha office and a member of the firm’s Finance practice.
He has been based in Doha since 2010. Simon is renowned for his adept guidance to financial institutions, corporate sponsors, and borrowers. His expertise spans diverse finance-related domains, encompassing project finance, leveraged finance, fintech, asset finance, Islamic finance, and restructuring activities, both in Qatar and internationally. Additionally, he has extensive experience in regulatory matters.
Simon has been advising Qatari financial institutions with respect to complex regulatory matters throughout the regulatory landscape including in relation with general regulatory perimeter requirements, banking capital, and investment funds-related requirements. His practice also extends to advising on regulatory compliance issues including AML/KYC regulations and investor protection rules.
Actively involved in the fintech and regtech initiatives of Qatar and the Qatar Financial Centre, Simon regularly contributes to various working groups and committees dedicated to advancing these initiatives. He advises top fintech companies and startups revolutionizing the Qatari financial market and explores opportunities with local fintech companies.
Amr Hossam El-Din
Head of Arbitration & ADR Practice, Senior Legal Counsel, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Amr Hossam El-Din is Senior Legal Counsel and Head of the Arbitration and Dispute Resolution practice at Al Sulaiti Law Firm. He has been practising in Qatar since 2014 and has substantial experience managing complex, high-value litigation and arbitration across the MENA region. His areas of specialisation include construction and engineering, commercial and corporate law, technology, public procurement, and intellectual property.
Amr regularly serves as an arbitrator, legal expert, and lead counsel in proceedings conducted under the auspices of leading international institutions, including the ICC, UNCITRAL, QICCA, PCA, and FIDIC Dispute Adjudication Boards. He advises and represents both public and private sector clients in a broad range of disputes, including claims for delay and disruption, variations, unforeseen site conditions, force majeure events, insurance and bonding, public and administrative law matters, and the interpretation of complex contractual frameworks.
Nour El Khoury
Senior Associate, Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm
Nour El Khoury is a senior associate lawyer at Hamad Al-Yafei Law Firm, bringing extensive international and domestic legal experience.
Before joining the firm, Nour served as an international legal consultant at Osta Law Firm in Lebanon, where she specialized in oil and gas contracts, corporate law, and cross-border transactions. Nour’s background also includes roles in banking and finance, civil law, and real estate law, with hands-on litigation and client representation experience.
A member of the Beirut Bar Association, Nour has completed advanced training in international arbitration, contract drafting, and oil and gas markets.
With expertise spanning corporate law, arbitration and cross-border contracts, Nour combines sharp legal insight, multilingual communication skills, and a results-driven approach, making her a valuable contributor to both local and international legal matters.
Farah Haidar
Senior Associate, DWF
Farah Haidar is a Senior Associate at DWF, specialising in dispute resolution with a strong focus on construction arbitrations across the Middle East. She has acted in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, and QICCA rules, and has also served as an arbitrator.
Farah’s experience spans high-value, complex disputes involving employers, contractors, and subcontractors across major infrastructure and development projects, including highways, commercial and residential towers, and waste management facilities. Beyond construction, Farah has represented clients in commercial and investment arbitrations.
Farah is qualified in Paris and New York and has been based in Qatar since 2019. She works across jurisdictions and legal systems, including those of Qatar, the UAE, and Oman.
Andrew Johnson
General Counsel & Board Secretary, Msheireb Properties
Andrew Johnson is a strategic legal advisor and corporate officer driving effective governance and mitigating risk as General Counsel and Board Secretary for Msheireb Properties in Qatar. With over 20 years of experience honing his expertise internationally across law firms and in-house legal teams, he acts as a trusted advisor on all material and legal matters.
Leveraging extensive experience in real estate, finance, construction, and dispute resolution, Andrew oversees a team providing counsel on development projects, commercial agreements, regulatory compliance, liability management, and standard company operations. He has also contributed to the smooth operations of Msheireb Properties by successfully restructuring teams for improved efficiency, leading due diligence for high-value acquisitions, and implementing alternative legal resourcing models to reduce costs.
Previously in senior roles with leading UK firms, Andrew formulated legal strategy, acted on growth opportunities, and managed risk for diverse portfolios including high-value commercial real estate and infrastructure assets.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia where he first trained and practiced before relocating to gain admission as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1999. An avid linguist and sportsman, he speaks French and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
Gabriel Olufemi
Managing Partner, Dentons
Gabriel Olufemi is the managing partner of Dentons' Doha office and a partner in the Middle East Construction and Dispute Resolution practice. He has been working in the Middle East since 2014 and has more than 15 years of experience working on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious construction and engineering matters.
Specializing in construction and engineering law, Gabriel has extensive experience providing legal advice on high-value complex projects for the public and private sector in the Middle East with a particular focus on Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman. These have included stadia/sport facilities, real estate developments, road, airport, rail, and other infrastructure and construction projects.
Gabriel advises clients during all stages of the project lifecycle from design to financial close, including providing advice on project structure, procurement strategy, contract strategy, operation and maintenance, dispute avoidance and international arbitration.
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.
Michelle Ancona
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.
Georges Abi Saab
General Counsel, Ooredoo Group
George Abi Saab is the General Counsel at Ooredoo Group since 2020, where he plays a pivotal role in managing and overseeing all legal aspects of the Group.
One of George's notable achievements was leading Ooredoo’s M&A expansion such leading the acquisition in Iraq, Tunisia and Kuwait as well as obtaining a license in Myanmar as well as leading many corporate finances work such as a USD 1.25 billion sukuk issuance.
Currently, George is at the helm of a transformative project involving the sale and leaseback of up to 30,000 towers in Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, and Jordan. This initiative represents a significant step towards establishing a jointly owned independent tower company through a cash and share deal. In addition, Georges is also leading the adjacencies carve out in Data Centre and Fintech.
Prior to his current role, George served as the Senior Director and Head of Corporate Governance at Ooredoo Group. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development of the Corporate Governance policies and procedures framework. This framework was designed to enable the function to effectively meet its objectives and targets, in alignment with overall risk policies, procedures, and the Group's strategic direction.
With extensive experience in the legal and M&A fields, George has held significant positions in the industry, including Senior Associate at Baker & McKenzie in Saudi Arabia and Legal Affairs Manager at M1 Group (the Parent Company of Investcom). His contributions extend to the drafting of policy papers and laws, such as Lebanon's Consumer Protection Law and the Lebanese Trademark Law.
George's educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of La Sagesse, Lebanon. Furthermore, his commitment to lifelong learning is evident in his completion of a mini MBA in Telecoms, AI Essential for Business from Harvard Business School Data Privacy & Technology from Harvard Business School, Emotional Intelligence and Maturity from Tomorrow’s Architect, AML and Compliance Regulatory from Qatar Chamber of Commerce and in in Intellectual Property Rights from the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva.
Roopak Sehgal
Senior Legal Counsel, Tadmur Holdings
Roopak Sehgal is a Senior Transactional Attorney with over 19 years of international experience spanning private equity, investment banking, financial investments, information technology, and management consulting. Licensed in India, he is recognized for his expertise in equity-linked structured transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and complex cross-border commercial negotiations.
Currently working with Tadmur Holdings as a legal advisor, Roopak oversees transactional work for Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
As Senior Legal Counsel for Mergers & Acquisitions at Sharaka Holdings, Qatar’s royal family–owned investment company with projected revenues exceeding USD 1 billion, Roopak plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s strategic investment and expansion initiatives. He has successfully structured and closed several high-value transactions, including the Marriott–Sharaka property deal (USD 45 million), Four Points by Sheraton franchise (USD 26 million), Sherborne UK–Qatar joint venture (USD 55 million), and the KidZania Doha franchise (USD 31 million)—one of the region’s largest edutainment sector deals.
Previously, Roopak served as General Counsel for CMA CGM (CEVA) India, contributing to the USD 1.65 billion acquisition of CEVA, and has held senior legal positions with Eleven X Capital (Chicago), XSEED Singapore, Oracle, and Deloitte.
Roopak holds an LL.M. from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Boston University. His work reflects a deep commitment to bridging global law, finance, and technology to drive sustainable growth across emerging and developed markets.
Dr. Zain Al Abdin Sharar, FCIArb
LLB, LLM (Int’l Trade Law), JD, SJD
Senior Legal Counsel, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)
Member, Disciplinary Committee, Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA)
Dr. Zain Al Abdin Sharar is a seasoned legal professional with over 27 years of experience spanning academia, regulatory practice, and international dispute resolution. He currently serves as Senior Legal Counsel at the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC).
Prior to joining the Court, Dr. Sharar was Director of Legal Affairs and Enforcement at the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), where he played a key role in developing financial legislation, overseeing enforcement proceedings, and chairing the Financial Legislative Committee. He continues to serve as a member of the Disciplinary Committee at the QFMA.
Dr. Sharar has also held several academic appointments at Qatar University, Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College, and various Australian universities, teaching corporate and commercial law, governance, and arbitration. He is currently teaching Commercial Law, Company Law, and Commercial Paper at Lusail University.
He holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), Juris Doctor (JD), and a Master of Laws in International Trade Law, all from Bond University, Australia.
Dr. Sharar is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a CEDR-accredited mediator, and a practitioner arbitrator with the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre and the QFMA.
Dr. Hazem Hussein Sherief
Managing Director & Head of Arbitration, Al Majd Law Firm
Dr. Hazem Hussien is a Managing Director & Head of Arbitration in Al Majd law firm. Also, he is a professor of Law in Cairo University Faculty of Law. He is teaching courses in Procedural Law, Evidence Law and Arbitration to bachelor and post gradates students.
Previously, Dr. Hussein was a Partner in Arbitration Department at Khodeir & Partners Law Firm. He has over 25 years of experience in arbitration and litigation, specializing in complex and high-stakes disputes involving telecommunications, construction, oil and gas, investment, corporate, maritime, and shipping matters.
Dr. Hussein is experienced working in Qatar since 2014 started with Al Tamimi & Co. for six years. Later, he worked as a Head of Legal in a group of companies in Doha and worked as a part time legal counsel in Anti-Doping Laboratory in Qatar.
Dr. Hussein regularly advises and represents clients in domestic and international arbitration proceedings under various rules and institutions, such as QICCA, ICC, DIAC, LCIA, LMAA, and CRCICA.
Dr. Hussein holds a PhD in Arbitration in investment disputes from the University of Kansas School of Law, and an LL.M in International and Comparative Law from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He has multiple publications and speaking engagements on arbitration topics. He is also a qualified arbitrator and has served as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator, and chairperson in several cases. Dr. Hussein's mission is to provide effective and efficient dispute resolution solutions to his clients, while advancing the knowledge and practice of arbitration in his field and region.
Matthew Walker
Partner, K&L Gates
Matthew Walker is an International Arbitration, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution partner at K&L Gates who focuses on construction law. Matthew acts as arbitrator and counsel in arbitration and has co-authored many leading practitioners’ guides to arbitration in Qatar. He is recognized in Lexology as a Thought Leader for construction law and is recommended for arbitration. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners in the United Kingdom for international construction arbitration.
Matthew has acted as advocate and counsel in ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ad hoc, and QICCA arbitrations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, Hong Kong, India, and the United Kingdom, as advocate and co-counsel in cases before the Appellate Division of the Qatar International Court and as co-counsel in cases before the Qatari state courts. He also litigates in the High Court, the Technology & Construction Court, and the Court of Appeal in England. He has sat in several arbitrations as arbitrator, including as President of the Tribunal, co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator, and on a panel of five arbitrators. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and has been accredited as a Mediator by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.