Thursday 15 October 2026

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast

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9:40 AM - 10:00 AM | Keynote Speech: A Leadership Perspective on Governance, Trust and Change

 

This keynote will consider the role of governance and legal leadership in helping organisations respond to change, strengthen resilience and inspire confidence in uncertain times. Bringing a senior board and regulatory perspective, Muna Dandan will reflect on the issues shaping decision-making at the highest levels.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Strategic Alliances and Why They Fail: Lessons in Control, Governance and Deal Design

Join leading experts in M&A, structuring and governance as they dissect why strategic alliances fail. This panel brings deep experience in designing robust deals, implementing effective control mechanisms and navigating complex governance challenges whilst offering practical insights to help General Counsel safeguard value, mitigate risk and ensure alliances align with corporate objectives.

Moderator: Amun Bashir, Partner - Corporate - Gateley Middle East
Nora Al Muhamad, Partner - Corporate - Gateley Middle East
Mahmoud Youssef, Group General Counsel - Foodics
Tiago Marques, Legal Director – Private Clients & Tax - Gateley Middle East

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10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | Coffee & Networking Break

Law in Action: Risk, Regulation and Business

Law in Motion: Innovation, Leadership and the Future

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Fireside Chat & Group Discussion - Navigating Regulatory Change: Business Impacts in the Middle East

As regulatory environments across the Middle East continue to evolve, legal leaders must understand the impact on business strategy and growth. This session begins with a fireside chat exploring key regulatory developments and their implications for organisations across the region. Attendees will then join facilitated group discussions to share experiences, exchange insights, and identify practical approaches to navigating change.

Moderator: Behnam Khatami, Founder and Managing Partner - Nami Associates
Monita Barghachieh, General Counsel - Marafeq Qatar

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11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

AI and the Future of Legal Practice: Challenges, Opportunities and Realities

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal landscape, and in-house legal teams are uniquely positioned to lead its implementation. This session explores how AI is transforming legal workflows, decision-making, and the expectations placed on corporate counsel. It examines the practical realities of AI adoption - where it is already making an impact, where caution is warranted, and how legal teams can harness its potential to deliver strategic, long-term value.

Moderator: Mohammad Alterki, GTM & Community lead - oqood
Matteo Grassani, General Counsel - Zahid Group
Rashika Bakshi, General Counsel - India, Middle East & North Africa - WPP
Hemma Patel, Former Vice-President & General Counsel EMEIA - ASSA ABLOY Group

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Law in Action: Risk, Regulation and Business

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

M&A in Times of Conflict

Successful M&A depends not only on deal execution, but also on the clarity and cohesion that follows. This session offers a practical, end-to-end view of the M&A lifecycle, from early due diligence through to post-deal integration. Designed for in-house counsel, it explores how legal teams can shape outcomes, anticipate complexity, and support seamless transitions across functions and jurisdictions. Whether you are deal-ready or refining strategy, this session helps you lead with confidence.


Moderator: Alex Saleh, Managing Partner - GLA & Company
Mohammed Majid, CLO/ Group General Counsel - Dubizzle Group
Mustasan Mir, Group Chief Legal Counsel - Burjeel Holdings
Michelle Ancona Reynolds, SVP Legal & Compliance - Lesha Bank

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Law in Motion: Innovation, Leadership and the Future

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

Rethinking Data: How Privacy and Security Are Redefining Legal Strategy

As data becomes central to business operations, the legal function is being called to rethink its role in shaping how organisations govern, protect, and leverage information. This session explores how evolving expectations around privacy and security are influencing legal strategy, internal collaboration, and corporate decision-making. Join us to gain practical insights into how data considerations are reshaping the contours of legal advice, risk assessments and cross-functional leadership.



Moderator: Jakob Elander, Head of Legal Engineering (Northern Europe) - Legora
Dr Thouraya Mathlouthi, Group Legal Director Data Privacy and Protection - e&
Rashed Alsehaly, Chief of Legal and Governance - Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Desislava Stankova, Director and Senior Legal Counsel, META and UK - Ingram Micro

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12:30 PM - 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch

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1:15 PM - 2:00 PM | Roundtable Sessions

Join these highly interactive, participatory roundtable sessions for legal leaders to engage with peers in an intimate knowledge exchange that ensures highly relevant, actionable and time-efficient dialogue that drives value.

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Law in Action: Risk, Regulation and Business

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

When Crisis Strikes: Strategies for Legal and Corporate Resilience

In moments of disruption, the legal function plays a crucial role in stabilising operations, guiding leadership, and preserving trust. This session explores how in-house teams can prepare for and respond to crises with clarity, coordination, and strategic foresight. From internal alignment to external communications, attendees will gain practical approaches for supporting resilience across legal and corporate domains - not just in reaction, but in readiness.

Moderator: Dr Abbas, Partner & Head of Arbitration - Matouk Bassiouny
Zaid Gardner, General Counsel - Property Finder
Wafa Derouiche, General Counsel- Industrial Solutions - TE Connectivity
Vera Kolesnik, General Counsel and Compliance Officer - Nestlé MENA
Eliana Fonseca, Head of Legal - Emirates Flight Catering

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Law in Motion: Innovation, Leadership and the Future

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Making Legal Partnerships Work: What In-House Counsel Need from Law Firms

Strong external partnerships can elevate the impact of the legal function - but only when they are built on alignment, responsiveness, and mutual understanding. This session explores what in-house counsel need from law firms beyond technical expertise, touching on collaboration, communication style, and strategic priorities. From matter management to relationship dynamics, attendees will gain insights into how to shape legal partnerships that are both efficient and effective.

Moderator: Arsalan Tariq, Partner, Head of Banking & Finance - BSA LAW
Hamad Haider, Chief Legal Officer - Equiti
Meltem Ozker, General Counsel - GE Healthcare
Hui Huang Loh, General Counsel - Honeywell Building Automation
Zohaib Tanwiri, Senior Counsel - Agthia Group

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2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Coffee & Networking Break

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Fishbowl Sessions

Fishbowl Sessions are lively, interactive discussions led by a moderator and a few experts seated in the centre of the room - the fishbowl. One extra chair is always open for audience members to join the conversation. Anyone can step in, share their thoughts, and then leave to let someone else take their place. This creates a fast-paced, engaging exchange of ideas between experts and participants.

Fishbowl Session 1

Fishbowl Session 2

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Fishbowl Session 3

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Fishbowl Session 4

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3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | Plenary Session - Law and Talent: Building Future-Ready Legal Teams in the Era of AI

AI isn't just changing how legal teams work - it is also challenging who is needed. As technology begins to automate tasks like research, drafting and even decision-making, legal leaders must rethink how they hire, train, and grow their teams. This session explores both the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of legal leadership and AI disruption. From rethinking recruitment and redefining roles to upskilling, succession planning, and preserving human judgment, speakers will share practical strategies for leading legal teams through rapid change.

Moderator: Brian Meenagh, Partner - Latham and Watkins
Mathieu Savaris, Former General Counsel - NEOM
Bassam Moussa, Group General Counsel - Mashreq

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