6th Arab Lawyers Forum

Now in its 6th year, the Arab Lawyers Forum has grown from strength to strength and in response to the clear interest and enthusiasm amongst attendees and members of the legal community for greater international engagement is reaching a large database across major jurisdictions.

The ALF is unique platform to learn more about the latest insights, trends and most pressing issues facing today’s global legal industry. The Forum includes renowned speakers from a range of international jurisdictions, both within the Arab world and further afield.

With a range of interactive panel sessions and reputable keynote speakers the agenda will provide rich viewpoints and insights into the latest legal developments

Agenda

Young Lawyers Session | Minaretein building - Hamad Bin Khalifa University
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Registration
10:00 am - 10:05 am
Welcome Remarks
Dr. Susan L. Karamanian - Dean, Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law (HBKU Law), Qatar
Join us for an enlightening opening as Dean Karamanian shares her expertise, inspiring the next generation of legal minds. Drawing from her various leadership roles, whether at a law school (she was previously Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies at the George Washington University Law School) or in learned societies, such as the American Society of International Law, where she sits on the Executive Council, Dean Karamanian brings unparalleled insights into international and comparative law.
10:05 am - 10:15 am
Keynote Address
Her Excellency Dr. Rania Al Mashat - Minister of International Cooperation, Egypt
Her Excellency has been Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation since December 2019, and has previously served as the first female Minister of Tourism (Jan 2018 - Dec 2019). Al-Mashat enjoys more than 20 years of international experience in central banking, financial systems, monetary policy frameworks, sustainable development, climate finance, and international cooperation policies and strategies.
10:15 am - 10:35 am
Success Story
Salman Ahmed Al-Ansari - Former Member of Qatar National Football Team, Partner at Al Ansari & Associates (Sports Law), Qatar
Renowned for his extensive expertise in sports law, Salman Al-Ansari’s trailblazing efforts in restructuring the football sector in Qatar underscore his commitment to innovation in the legal arena and helped reshape the legal landscape in Qatar for FIFA World Cup 2022. As a leading figure in corporate and commercial law, Mr. Al-Ansari combines theoretical knowledge with practical insights while also having taught the next generation of law students. His presence promises to be enlightening and thought-provoking.
10:35 am - 11:05 am
Presentation
Ambassador (Ret.) David L. Carden - Weinstein International Foundation, USA
As the inaugural resident U.S. Ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ambassador Carden imparts wisdom from his illustrious diplomatic journey, providing a distinctive viewpoint on matters of international law and governance. During his session, Ambassador Carden will shed light on the crucial significance of fostering a culture of mediation within the region, beyond the broader applicability of mediation in civil and commercial disputes, and he will underscore its pivotal role in contributing to enduring peace and cooperation.
11:05 am - 11:35 am
Speech
Judge Hessa Al Sulaiti - Qatar Court Appeal
A trailblazer and distinguished speaker, the Honorable Dr. Hessa Ahmed Al Sulaiti brings a wealth of legal expertise to the forefront. With an impressive academic journey, including two PhDs in Arbitration and Public Law, Dr. Al-Sulaiti is a beacon of knowledge. Her practical experience, ranging from Appeals Judge to President of the Court of First Instance, showcase her versatile judicial acumen. Notably, as the first Qatari woman to hold the position of judge in Qatar, Dr. Al-Sulaiti has broken barriers and paved the way for others.
11:35 am - 1:00 pm
Networking Lunch hosted by Lucy Beales - Head of Learning & Development, Al Tamimi Academy, UAE
Whether its standard mentoring or reverse mentoring, this interactive game will encourage both the art of networking and mentoring. Bringing different level lawyers/students together to illicit details from the other whilst also gaining pivotal advice regarding career.
Welcome Dinner | Ballroom - Fairmont Hotel, Doha
7:30 pm - 10.00 pm
Welcome Dinner
Ballroom - Fairmont Hotel, Doha
Full-Day Conference | The Ballroom, Mandarin Oriental, Doha
MC and Official Host Ibtissem Lassoued - Partner, Head of Advisory, Co-Head, White Collar Crime & Investigations, Al Tamimi & Company, UAE
8:30 am - 9:15 am
Breakfast & Networking
9:15 am - 9:30 am
Welcome Remarks
Mubarak Al Sulaiti – President, Qatar Lawyers Association, Qatar
9:30 am - 9:45 am
Keynote Speech
His Excellency Ibrahim bin Ali Al-Mohannadi – Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Qatar
9:45 am - 10:30 am
Session One: Why resist AI? It’s too late!

Moderator

Omid Mousavi – Senior Associate, Eversheds Sutherland, Qatar

Panellists

Ahmed El Sharkawy – Partner, Sharkawy & Sarhan, Egypt
Khaled Shivji – CELA Multi-Country Lead (Customer & Partner Solutions), Microsoft, Qatar
Abdulaziz AlJaziri – Deputy CEO, Dubai Future Foundation, UAE
Prof. Ted Briscoe – Professor and Deputy Department Chair, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), UAE
Khaled Al Rashed – Founder, Oqood.ai, UAE
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Coffee Break
Session Two: Is the region keeping pace with ESG?

Moderator

Ehab Elsonbaty (PHD) – Partner, Chair US/Middle East Initiative, DLA Piper, USA

Panellists

H.E Dr. Rania Al Mashat – Minister of International Cooperation, MOIC, Egypt
Ambassador (Ret.) David L. Carden – Weinstein International Foundation, USA
Colin Milton – Deputy Director, Listing Department at Qatar Stock Exchange, Qatar
Vera Kolesnik Ph. D. – General Counsel & Compliance Officer, Nestle MENA, UAE
Session Three: Are the MENA countries emerging as pioneers in attracting FDI?

Moderator

Jacopo Dettoni – Editor fDi Intelligence, Financial Times, UK

Panellists

Amr M. M. Alsayed – Senior General Legal Counsel, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, Kuwait
Marwan Elaraby – Partner, Dubai Office, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, UAE
Nasser Al-Taweel – Deputy CEO, Chief Legal Officer & Board Secretary, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar
Salim Said Al Yazidy – General Counsel, Oman Investment Authority (OIA), Oman
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch Break
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Session Four: Comparative Approaches to Production in International Arbitration
Common Law vs. Civil Law in the MENA Region

Moderator

Ali Al Aidarous – Managing Attorney, Al Aidarous Advocates and Legal Consultants, UAE

Panellists

Alain Farhad – Partner, Head of International Arbitration, Mayer Brown, UAE
Michael Dunmore – Senior Associate, Al Busaidy Mansoor Jamal & Co., Oman
Sean Yates – Barrister & Arbitrator, Outer Temple, UAE
Sultan M. Al-Abdulla – Managing Partner, Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners, Qatar

Joined by Special Guest - Kristin Campbell-Wilson – Executive Director, Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD), UAE

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Coffee Break
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Session Five: From Tradition to Trust: Should Family Businesses embrace Trusts to succeed?

Moderator

Ajay Wiltshire – Managing Director, Saffery Trust, UAE

Panellists

Andrew De La Rosa – Barrister at ICT Chambers, Cayman Islands
Fadi Sabsabi – Chief Legal Officer, Alfardan Group, Qatar
Hussam Abu Issa – Vice Chairman, Salam International, Qatar
Kassem Younes – Senior Managing Director, Ankura, Saudi Arabia
Walid Slim – Partner, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte Middle East, Qatar
Session Six: Is Sports & Entertainment a game changer for business growth in the MENA region?

Moderator

Aarij Wasti – Former Director Legal & Compliance, FIFA World Cup, Partner, Gowling WLG, Canada

Panellists

Manal Rmeity – Legal Specialist, International Sports Law, Qatar Stars League, Qatar
Mahmoud Abougabal – Partner, Deloitte Middle East, UAE
Matthijs Withagen – Acting Director of Legal and Governance Affairs, Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), KSA
Steve Bainbridge – Head of Sports & Entertainment (Middle East), Greenberg Traurig LLP and CAS Arbitrator, UAE
5:15 pm - 5:30 pm
Closing Remarks
Essam Al Tamimi – Chairman, Al Tamimi & Company, UAE
Evening Reception | SANAD Members Club – Msheireb
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Evening Reception
SANAD Members Club, Msheireb
 
Malcare WordPress Security