Recipients of
The Global Legal Excellence Awards 2024

Abhishek Kumar

General Counsel & Director-Legal at
Dahua Technology

Abhishek is a first generation lawyer and currently serves as India & South Asia’s General Counsel & Director-Legal, Dahua Technology. He manages legal affairs dept. spanning India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Cambodia. His previous experience also includes stints at Huawei, ATC and Viom Networks, which made him skilled in technology sector. Abhishek is a law graduate from ICFAI Law School and completed an LL.M (International and Commercial Law) with distinction from University of Buckingham, UK. A market source is swift to endorse him as an ‘effective counsel whose legal acumen is impressive, and understands the business well’. Abhishek has been ranked in the Legal 500, LexTalk World, and World IP Forum.

Adv. Kanchan Talreja

Senior Counsel at Advocate Kanchan Talreja and Associates

Ms. Kanchan Talreja is an accomplished legal professional with a practice spanning the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and states. Establishing her practice in 2016, she specializes in Family Law, Criminal Law, Testamentary Suits, Non-Litigation Drafting, and handling cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act and the Consumer Protection Act. With a remarkable track record, she has successfully settled over 80% of the 300+ matters she has managed, prioritizing out-of-court resolutions for the well-being of her clients. Kanchan is dedicated to pro-bono work, aiming to provide effective legal representation to the underprivileged. Her firm's expertise lies in Family Law, Criminal Law, Testamentary Suits, Non-Litigation Drafting, and handling cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act and the Consumer Protection Act.

Aya Emam

Group Senior Legal Counsel at
Agthia Group PJSC

Ms. Emam is an Egyptian bar registered lawyer, with 12 years of experience with private practice and in-house practice for multinational corporations. A passionate advocate of the ability of the legal profession to drive organizational and wider societal changes. She is recognized as a trusted advisor to stakeholders on a wide range of matters across various industries and sectors, including but not limited to restructurings and strategic advisory, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, financial and commercial matters; corporate governance, information technology; and data privacy. Experienced in managing significant legal budgets and using innovative fee mechanisms to control external legal expenditure and enhancing profitability, she possesses an exemplary track record of building legal functions from scratch.

Binu Karthikeyan

Senior Legal Consultant and Head of Arbitration Department at Engy Nabeel Advocates and Legal Consultants

Mr. Karthikeyan, a seasoned Senior Legal Counsel with over two decades of experience, navigates diverse legal challenges for companies and individuals in the UAE and India. Currently serving at "Engy Nabeel Advocates and Legal Consultants" in Dubai, his expertise includes Commercial Arbitration, Construction, Real Estate, International Trade, Investment, Maritime, and Shareholder disputes. Recognized as an International Arbitrator with empanelment at DIAC and AIAC, Binu is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) in the UK. He holds a Master’s in International Commercial Law from the University of Surrey and a Doctorate in "International Law" from Azteca University.

Charles Hearn

General Counsel and Group Company Secretary at
Premium Group

Mr. Hearn plays a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the legal, compliance, and company secretariat (corporate governance) affairs of the Premium Group. His expertise lies in navigating complex global business transactions, fostering strategic partnerships, conducting M&A activities, and addressing regulatory compliance matters. A dual qualified solicitor, Mr. Hearn holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Master of Business Administration. Additionally, he has acquired a comprehensive set of certifications, including but not limited to Building an Effective Compliance Function, Corporate Governance and Legislation, Anti-Money Laundering Governance and Legislation, Electronic Communications, Specialised Contracts, Environmental Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Equity and Trusts, and Constitutional Law.

Dr. Abdelkareem F. Alkadomi

Chief Legal & Assurance Officer at
Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises

Dr. Kadomi is the Chief Legal & Assurance Officer of Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises and his role he is managing all the legal, governance, risk and compliance affairs of the company and its subsidiaries. He is also a Board Member, General Secretary, Chair of the Risk Committee and a member of the Investment and the Executive Committees of the company. Dr. Kadomi has previously served as a judge in Jordan, lead counsel for Jordan Gulf Bank and General Counsel for Coca Cola Bottling Company in Jordan. He comes with more than 30 years of experience in various legal, compliance &risk sectors including Corporate, M&A, Real Estate, governance, investments, motors, healthcare, logistics, and many others.

Dr. Amer Tabbara

Assistant Professor of Law at
Birmingham University

Dr. Tabbara is an Assistant Professor of International Dispute Resolution at Birmingham University. His principal research interests are in the fields of International Commercial Dispute Resolution, Private International Law and Construction Law. He also serves as Of-Counsel at Hage & Partners, a boutique law firm specializing in construction disputes. He advises and represents both national and international clients before various national and international bodies and is also a certified arbitrator.

Felipe Arboleda-Marquez

Regional Counsel - India, Middle East, Turkey and Africa at
CHEP

Mr. Felipe is the Regional Counsel for India, the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at CHEP. a Brambles Company. A global leader in container and pallet pooling services, Felipe is an attorney with a Master’s degree in Law and Management from North-Western University Law School- Kellogg School of Management. He has worked as a transactional lawyer at the firm: Baker & McKenzie before moving in-house as Legal and Compliance Manager for Medtronic in South America, and later as Legal Director for Latin America, Middle East and Africa at Smith & Nephew. Felipe has 10+ years of experience in business law, litigation, and transactions in multiple emerging markets.

GNP Legal

Established in 2014, GNP Legal is a dynamic full-service law firm with offices strategically located in NCR (Noida) and Mumbai (Fort), complemented by a nationwide network of proficient lawyers. Boasting a dedicated team of over 30 lawyers. The firm specialises in a wide range of legal services, including arbitration, consumer laws, intellectual property, information technology/cyber law, labor law, litigation, media and broadcasting, real estate, recovery matters, service and employment issues, telecommunication, and white-collar crime. At the heart of GNP Legal is the philosophy of R.O.P.E – "Responsive," "Out-of-the-box," "Pro-active," and "Empathy" – laying the foundation for robust and enduring client relationships.

Hardeep Sachdeva

Senior Partner at AZB & Partners

Mr. Sachdeva, Senior Partner at AZB & Partners, brings over 28 years of expertise in corporate and M&A law, consistently recognized as India's leading practitioner. Specializing in diverse sectors like real estate, e-commerce, and hospitality, he's a pivotal figure in landmark M&A and PE transactions. Hardeep is at the forefront of IBC matters, leading judicial precedents. A graduate of SRCC and Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, he's a member of the Bar Council of Delhi. Acknowledged as a 'Leading Lawyer Champion,' he holds top rankings by Chambers Asia–Pacific, IFLR1000, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and AsiaLaw Profiles.

Henzie Healley

Managing Partner at The Counsel Services

Ms. Henzie Healley is an accomplished and skilled, common law qualified lawyer living in Dubai but servicing clients from all around the world. She qualified with an LLB with Honors in New Zealand and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2014. She then moved to Dubai early in 2014 after being offered a permanent role at an international law firm she interned at during her school vacations. She is the Founder of The Counsel Services, which is a legal consultancy which is seeking to disrupt the status quo of traditional law firms by giving them direct and ongoing access to senior legal counsel and improve on the provision of legal and corporate service provider services and the way that such services are provided.

Hossam Zakaria

Founder at HZ Legal Consultation

Mr. Zakaria is a seasoned Corporate Legal Counsel with over 20 years of expertise in commercial disputes and high-stakes business matters. Holding degrees in finance, commerce, engineering, and a distinguished bachelor's degree with honors in law from a reputable university in Dubai, he furthered his legal education with an LLM from Birmingham University. Licensed by the Ruler's office in Dubai, he founded Hossam Zakaria Legal Consultancy, a leading legal office in the UAE. Prior to this, he served as senior legal counsel in a major law firm, achieving groundbreaking judicial precedents. Certified arbitrator and Fellow of the Brussels International Arbitration Association, Zakaria is committed to providing proactive legal solutions and advocating for clients' rights with his mantra, “We Fight For Your Rights.”

Ish Jain

Arbitrator

Mr. Jain is an International Arbitrator presently empanelled as an Arbitrator with more than 26 International Arbitration Institutes including in the UK, Asia, Middle East as well as four major High Courts of India. He is a renowned arbitration expert with experience in Arbitration disputes relating to Real estate, Technology, Aviation and Outer-Space activities. Ish has been featured as ‘Top Individual Lawyer’ in the Forbes’ Legal Power List 2022, 'Leading individual' by Legal500, ‘Ranked Lawyer’ by Chambers & Partners (Global) in Dispute Resolution practice as well as a ‘Future Star’ by benchmark Litigation.

Kathlyn Joy Guanzon Sachnowska

Director for Regional Legal Affairs and Data Protection Officer - Asia Pacific at Foundever Asia, Inc.

Ms. Kathlyn is the Director for Regional Legal Affairs and Data Protection Officer for Asia Pacific of Foundever Asia, Inc., a global leader in the contact centre industry with 170,000 associates across the globe, supporting 9+ million customers across 45 countries. She’s been a practicing corporate lawyer in the Philippines for 14 years and has been admitted to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) since 2010. She’s been with the Foundever Group for 12 years and is primarily responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining an effective Data Privacy and Protection program to support APAC operations which includes the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, India and China. Her law practice includes corporate, commercial contracts, risk management and regulatory compliance.

M.I.P Law Firm – Dr. Mina Iskander & Partners

Established in 1952, M.I.P Law Firm, led by Dr. Mina Iskander, spans three generations, serving as the legal backbone for clients in Egypt, Dubai, and various regions through affiliates. With a dynamic team of 10+ lawyers, 5 paralegals, and 3+ admin executives, M.I.P offers comprehensive legal solutions in commercial, civil, M&As, litigation, fintech, e-commerce, labor affairs, and tax disputes. Specializing in startups, the firm operates with a collaborative approach, treating clients as partners of success. Committed to legal awareness, M.I.P hosts an online channel for public education, viewing legal services not just as a profession but a passionate dedication to empower businesses and society.

Mabroor Jameel

Senior Counsel at Ali Khan Law Associates

Mabroor Jameel transitioned from commercial dispute resolution to corporate transaction advisory at Ali Khan Law Associates since May 2020. Specializing in pioneering transactions in Pakistan, he navigates complex projects, offering insight into legislative frameworks and advising on implementation. His diverse portfolio spans road and rail development, Pakistan's first private LNG terminal, and legislative revamping for practical project execution. With experience in London and top-tier Pakistani firms, Mr. Mabroor Jameel's holistic perspective in dispute resolution and transaction advisory positions him as an effective advisor for clients pursuing desired outcomes.

Mehnaz Zulfikar

Group Legal Manager at Rescom Holdings

Ms. Zulfikar, a legal luminary with over 9 years of experience, has excelled in compliance and corporate commercial matters across international arenas, including the Middle East, India, the USA, and the UK. As the Group Legal Manager at Rescom Holdings, a prominent coal mining and energy company, Mehnaz orchestrates high-value negotiations, manages cross-border litigations, resolves labor disputes, and oversees corporate restructuring, including mergers and acquisitions. Her expertise spans various legal domains, such as Joint Ventures, Corporate Governance, and Mining concessions.

Mohamed El Sherbini

Senior Associate – Dispute Resolution at NHB Legal Group

Mr. Sherbini possesses vast experience in the fields of Arbitration, Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation. He has a total of 10 years of experience spanning across the Middle East and Europe, in various fields such as court litigation, commercial and international arbitration, DIFC courts, aviation, antidumping as well as investment (state-investor) arbitration. His practice focuses mainly on commercial dispute resolution mechanisms as he as acted as counsel in ICSID claims between foreign corporations and hosts governments, governed by BITs, as well as advising international corporations such as Nokia, Google, Standard Chartered Bank, Abwab Real Estate, and MBC. Since arriving to Dubai after rising through the ranks of the international Egyptian law firm “Shahid Law Firm”, Mohamed has been involved in all 3 areas of dispute resolution, be it onshore courts, arbitration or DIFC courts.

Mohammed Noaman

General Counsel – Europe, Middle East & Africa at GE Gas Power, part of GE Vernova

Mr. Noaman is the General Counsel of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) for GE Gas Power. Leading the legal and compliance function, he supports regional business goals, providing essential legal backing. With a background in energy law, Mohammed excels as a negotiator, contributing to successful deal closures in the EMEA region. He joined GE in 2009, holding key legal roles, and was appointed General Counsel for EMEA in January 2021. Mohammed holds a Bachelor of Laws from Alexandria University, an LL.M. in International Business & Comparative Law from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in International Commercial Arbitration. Outside his legal career, he's a triathlete with a passion for flying and Arabian Horses.

Narayan Kedia

Vice President - Legal at Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited

Mr. Kedia, currently Vice President Legal at Indiabulls Group, boasts 14+ years of expertise in securities and investment laws. His background includes roles at prestigious firms like Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., J. Sagar Associates, and BMR Legal. Kedia has advised conglomerates on diverse transactions, including IPOs, debt placements, takeovers, and private equity deals. As the Founder of Lex Familia India, he mentors and trains law students, impacting over 300 individuals within a year. Additionally, Kedia is an idea originator, advisor, and investor at BizzSetu, a B2B transaction platform addressing challenges in India's manufacturing sector.

Nilesh Kumar

General Counsel at Modi Group

Mr. Nilesh is a seasoned leader with 17 years of expertise in overseeing legal functions. He boasts a proven track record in managing sizable teams, navigating high-stakes litigation, and resolving critical legal issues. His negotiation skills and extensive experience in liaising with government authorities, senior lawyers, and counsel set him apart. Some key career accomplishments include handling nationwide litigation up to the Supreme Court, formulating comprehensive legal strategies, and adeptly negotiating professional fees. With a focus on risk reduction and value creation, he efficiently leads the legal department, addressing diverse cases such as real estate, IPR, recovery, insolvency, employment disputes, and more.

Noor Maki

Group General Counsel at Rental Solutions & Services

Ms. Noor is currently serving as Group General Counsel at Rental Solutions and Services. She has diverse expertise spanning 15 years in the UK and the Middle East. She has successfully navigated the legal landscape of multinational companies across the GCC, yielding extensive insights into international legal practices. Currently, as the Group General Counsel of a leading temporary power and cooling solutions provider, She provides strategic legal counsel and ensure regulatory compliance at the highest level. Prior to this role, she was a Senior Legal Counsel for Ford Motor Company, representing their legal matters across the Middle East operations.

Rajan Gupta

Managing Partner at CHRI Legal

Mr. Rajan Gupta is a Corporate Lawyer and Rank Holder Chartered Accountant with over 26 years of professional experience in Corporate M&A, Infrastructure Projects, and Taxation. A licensed Insolvency Resolution Professional, he excels in M&A, Joint Ventures, PE Transactions, Commercial Contracts, Project Finance, and corporate/commercial litigation. Leading a team advising the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, he contributed to the formulation of the new Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code 2016. Rajan's diverse sector expertise spans Real Estate, Hospitality, Renewable Energy, Manufacturing, IT, and more. His rich background includes senior roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Khaitan & Co., Fox Mandal, and SRGR Law Offices.

Rajesh Bhardwaj

Managing Partner at International Investments Law Consultants (IILC)

Mr. Bhardwaj is one of India’s leading lawyers with a career spanning close to three decades of experience and domain expertise across diverse practice areas. He provides counsel and representation to a broad base of domestic and international clients on a range of practice areas encompassing Real Estate & Hospitality, Corporate & Commercial Transactional advisory, Wills & Estate Planning, IPR, Defence, and Commercial Litigations etc. He is known for the breadth of experience, insight and perseverance required to handle complex and challenging legal, regulatory, and business transactions. He has successfully represented several domestic and multinationals, PSUs and HNIs before the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and Tribunals.

Ritesh Singh

Partner at The Precept - Law Offices

Mr. Ritesh boasts a 16-year legal career marked by adept dispute resolution. With appearances before India's Supreme Court, diverse High Courts, NCLT, NCLAT, Debt Recovery Tribunal, ITAT, and NGT, he's earned recognition for handling high-stakes matters. His prowess extends to NCLT and NCLAT appearances, focusing on contentious issues arising from commercial transactions. He is also noted for his effective handling of Custom and Special Economic Zone matters in various High Courts. Over the years, he has excelled in national and international arbitrations, addressing disputes spanning maritime, shipping, equipment purchases, real estate, infrastructure, joint ventures, and equity-related issues.

Saifullah Shaikh

Deputy Manager - Legal at K-Electric

Mr. Saifullah Shaikh is a distinguished graduate of the University of London, holding an LLB (Hons). Standing as a proud recipient of the LEX Falcon Global Award 2022 and the R.B. Welfare Community Service Award, Saifullah demonstrates an unwavering dedication towards a career as an In-House Legal Counsel. As such, he aspires to polish his expertise across multiple legal domains, particularly labor/employment law, regulatory compliance, and corporate law. Showcasing a wealth of experience, Saifullah is currently employed as Deputy Manager of HR Legal Services at K-electric. In this capacity, he has served a crucial role in facilitating the development of legal strategies that safeguard the organization's interests.

Sara Darazirar

Leader Legal and Compliance - MENA / MED at LIXIL

Ms. Darazirar is the leader of legal and compliance for the Middle East North West Africa and Mediterranean region for LIXIL corporation, one of the global manufacturing companies specializing in building materials, fixtures and housing equipment with extensive expertise in the manufacturing/construction sector and has been in the region leading legal and compliance function for many years within different organizations. She is also a D&I advocate and a winner of the Oath Magazine Legal Awards of 2019 (Legal Team of the Year).

Somesh Tiwari

Managing Partner at Vardharma Chambers

Mr. Tiwari, Managing Partner of Vardharma Chambers, is a distinguished lawyer renowned for his Supreme Court and Delhi High Court advocacy. Inheriting a passion for justice from his grandfather, a senior advocate at Allahabad High Court, Somesh excels in Arbitration, Banking, Company Law, Corporate Commercial Disputes, and PMLA cases. Founder of Vardharma Chambers, his areas of expertise include civil and criminal law, and he has worked on landmark PMLA and white-collar crime cases before the Supreme Court of India. Notably, appointed by the Government of Manipur for Supreme Court and High Court representations, Somesh's commitment extends beyond legal realms, aiming to positively impact society.

Swarnendu Chatterjee

AoR at Supreme Court of India.

Mr. Swarnendu Chatterjee, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India since March 2020, is the Founder of Law Chambers of Swarnendu Chatterjee. With almost a decade of extensive experience, he specializes in Civil Law, Constitutional Law, Insolvency Laws, Taxation Laws, Labour Law, Criminal Law, and Arbitration. Swarnendu is designated as an Advocate-On-Record by the Supreme Court of India. He has a robust background working with notable legal firms, providing counsel on debt recovery, insolvency, banking, constitutional matters, and corporate disputes across various Indian courts. His appearances include the Supreme Court, various High Courts, and judicial tribunals, showcasing a diverse litigation and arbitration repertoire.

Usha Tanna

Founder at Usha Tanna and Associates

Ms. Usha Tanna, with over 33 years of legal expertise, specializes in diverse civil and criminal laws, including matrimonial cases, custody, property, maintenance/alimony, and domestic violence. Serving as both an Advocate and a Senior Counsel to high-profile celebrities, businessmen, and renowned individuals, she provides comprehensive legal solutions globally. Usha has successfully defended and won numerous matrimonial cases, leaving an indelible mark with ground-breaking judgments. Her dedication to addressing evolving legal challenges showcases her commitment to clients' needs, offering reliable solutions across a broad legal spectrum. Usha's impressive career reflects her proficiency in navigating complex cases and delivering positive outcomes.

Recipients of The Global Legal Excellence Awards 2024