Law.com's General Counsel Conference Middle East 2026 took place on 15 October 2026 at Address Sky View in Dubai, bringing together senior in-house legal leaders from across the region for a day of strategic discussion, practical insight and peer-to-peer engagement. The conference was held in association with Global Leaders in Law (GLL) and Lexology. 

The agenda explored the forces reshaping the role of general counsel across the Middle East, including governance, regulatory change, artificial intelligence, M&A, data privacy and security, crisis management, external legal partnerships, geopolitical risk and the future of legal talent. Through keynote discussions, panel sessions, roundtables, fishbowls and interactive group discussions, the programme created opportunities for legal leaders to exchange perspectives on both the immediate challenges facing their organisations and the longer-term transformation of the legal function. 

The conference opened with a welcome address from Mohamed Elmogy, General Counsel, Siemens Energy, and Maria Scanlan, Legal Director, Crescent Petroleum, followed by opening comments from Darren Harris, Managing Partner, Gateley Middle East. 

 

Keynote Speech: A Leadership Perspective on Governance, Trust and Change 

The opening keynote was delivered by Muna Dandan, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board, Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The session considered 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 to the issues influencing decision-making at the highest levels. 

  

Strategic Alliances and Why They Fail: Lessons in Control, Governance and Deal Design 

The first panel was moderated by Amun Bashir, Partner - Corporate, Gateley Middle East, and featured Nora Al Muhamad, Partner - Corporate, Gateley Middle East; Mahmoud Youssef, Group General Counsel, Foodics; and Tiago Marques, Legal Director - Private Clients & Tax, Gateley Middle East. 

The discussion examined the factors that can cause strategic alliances to fail, focusing on M&A, structuring and governance. The session considered the importance of robust deal design, effective control mechanisms and strong governance in helping general counsel safeguard value, mitigate risk and ensure strategic alliances remain aligned with wider corporate objectives.  

Following the morning coffee and networking break, the programme divided into two streams: Law in Action: Risk, Regulation and Business and Law in Motion: Innovation, Leadership and the Future. 

  

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

Moderated by Behnam Khatami, Founder and Managing Partner, Nami Associates, and featuring Monita Barghachieh, General Counsel, Marafeq Qatar, this interactive session explored regulatory developments across the Middle East and their implications for business strategy and growth. Following the fireside conversation, attendees joined facilitated group discussions to exchange experiences and practical approaches to navigating regulatory change. 

  

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

Moderated by Mohammad Alterki, GTM & Community Lead, oqood, the session featured Matteo Grassani, General Counsel, Zahid Group; Rashika Bakshi, General Counsel - India, Middle East & North Africa, WPP; and Hemma Patel, Former Vice-President & General Counsel EMEIA, ASSA ABLOY Group. The discussion examined the growing impact of artificial intelligence on legal workflows, decision-making and the expectations placed on corporate counsel. Speakers considered the practical realities of AI adoption, including where the technology is already creating an impact, areas where greater caution may be required, and how in-house teams can harness AI to create strategic, long-term value. 

 

M&A in Times of Conflict  

Moderated by Alex Saleh, Managing Partner, GLA & Company, this session brought together Mohammed Majid, CLO/Group General Counsel, Dubizzle Group; Mustasan Mir, Group Chief Legal Counsel, Burjeel Holdings; and Michelle Ancona Reynolds, SVP Legal & Compliance, Lesha Bank. The panel provided a practical view of the M&A lifecycle, from early due diligence through to post-deal integration. It explored how in-house legal teams can help shape transaction outcomes, anticipate complexity, and support effective transitions across different functions and jurisdictions. 

  

Rethinking Data: How Privacy and Security Are Redefining Legal Strategy 

Moderated by Jakob Elander, Head of Legal Engineering (Northern Europe), Legora, the panel featured Dr Thouraya Mathlouthi, Group Legal Director Data Privacy and Protection, e&; Rashed Alsehaly, Chief of Legal and Governance, Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO); and Desislava Stankova, Director and Senior Legal Counsel, META and UK, Ingram Micro. The session examined how the growing importance of data to business operations is changing the legal function's role in governing, protecting and leveraging information. Discussion focused on evolving privacy and security expectations, their impact on legal strategy and risk assessment, and the need for stronger cross-functional collaboration around data. 

 

Roundtable Discussions 

Following lunch, delegates participated in seven highly interactive roundtable discussions:

  • International Arbitration: Enforcing DIFC Freezing Injunctions Onshore: The Good, The Bad and the Frustrating, moderated by David McCoy, Partner, ADG Legal, and Brendon Braun, Senior Associate, ADG Legal. 

  • Successful Exits: Legal Considerations for IPOs, Sales and Other Liquidity Events, moderated by Fraser Galloway, Partner, Abu Dhabi, White & Case, and Roger Gaspard, Partner, Dubai, White & Case. 

  • Multi-Generational Legal Teams, moderated by Catherine Workman, Partner, Pinsent Masons. 

  • Supply Chains Under Pressure: How Legal Teams Can Protect the Business, moderated by Nicholas Kramer, Shareholder & Head of Construction and Projects for the Middle East, Greenberg Traurig. 

  • Cybersecurity and Legal Response: Preparing for Digital Threats, moderated by Jemima McDonald, Legal Director - Cyber & Data Risk, Kennedys. 

  • Agentic AI Unpacked: Building The Future of Legal Workflows, moderated by Theodora Georgiou, VP Customer Success, LEGALFLY. 

  • The In-House AI Governance Toolkit: Assess, Approve and Monitor Use Cases, moderated by Lara Salem, Head of Content Strategy, LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa. 

 

When Crisis Strikes: Strategies for Legal and Corporate Resilience 

This session was moderated by Dr Abbas, Partner & Head of Arbitration, Matouk Bassiouny, and featured Zaid Gardner, General Counsel, Property Finder; Wafa Derouiche, General Counsel - Industrial Solutions, TE Connectivity; Vera Kolesnik, General Counsel and Compliance Officer, Nestlé MENA; and Eliana Fonseca, Head of Legal, Emirates Flight Catering. The panel explored the central role of legal functions during moments of disruption, from supporting operational stability and leadership decision-making to protecting trust. The discussion considered how in-house teams can strengthen preparedness, internal coordination and external communications to build greater organisational resilience. 

  

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

Moderated by Arsalan Tariq, Partner, Head of Banking & Finance, BSA LAW, the session brought together Hamad Haider, Chief Legal Officer, Equiti; Meltem Ozker, General Counsel, GE Healthcare; Hui Huang Loh, General Counsel, Honeywell Building Automation; and Zohaib Tanwiri, Senior Counsel, Agthia Group. The discussion explored what in-house teams increasingly expect from their external legal advisers beyond technical expertise, considering alignment, responsiveness, communication and strategic understanding. It also looked at how matter management and relationship dynamics can contribute to more efficient and effective partnerships between legal departments and law firms. 

  

Fishbowl Discussions 

The afternoon programme moved into four highly interactive fishbowl discussions, designed to encourage delegates to join the conversation and exchange practical perspectives directly with moderators and experts. 

  • Who Decides the Risk: Legal or the Business?, featuring Maude El Khoury, General Counsel, Sunset Hospitality; Meghna Malhotra, Senior Legal Counsel, BEEAH Group; and Christian Murad, Regional Legal & Compliance Director, Lucid Motors. 

  

  • Is the Traditional In-House Legal Team Model Becoming Obsolete?, featuring Melissa Forbes Miranda, Partner, Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP; AbdulAziz Hassan Hassan, Head of Legal and Company Secretary, GII; and Cristina Amate Muñoz, Head of Legal, Contracts and Procurement, BEUMER Group. 

  

  • Sanctions, Tariffs, and Trade Tensions: What Keeps In-House Counsel Up at Night?, featuring Lauren Talerman, Partner, Akin, and Mohamed Jaber, Chief Sanctions Officer and Head of Legal - Greater Gulf, Sanofi. 

  

  • Navigating Legal Value Under Pressure: How Do You Move When the Budget Says 'No'?, featuring Murad Abida, Partner and Regional Head of Corporate & Commercial, Global Advocacy and Legal Counsel; Maria Scanlan, Legal Director, Crescent Petroleum; and Muna Farid, Managing Director and Head of Legal, HATCH Consulting. 

  

Plenary Session - Law and Talent: Building Future-Ready Legal Teams in the Era of AI 

The final plenary session was moderated by Brian Meenagh, Partner, Latham and Watkins, and featured Mathieu Savaris, Former General Counsel, NEOM, and Bassam Moussa, Group General Counsel, Mashreq. The session examined how artificial intelligence is changing not only the work performed by legal departments but also the capabilities they will need in the future. The discussion considered recruitment, evolving legal roles, upskilling and succession planning, alongside the challenge of preserving human judgement as technology takes on a greater role in research, drafting and decision-making. 

  

The conference concluded with closing remarks from Mohamed Elmogy, General Counsel, Siemens Energy, and Maria Scanlan, Legal Director, Crescent Petroleum, followed by a networking reception. 

The General Counsel Conference Middle East 2026 brought together legal leaders and practitioners to examine some of the most important issues affecting the region's in-house community. Through a combination of strategic panel discussions and highly participatory roundtables and fishbowls, the programme provided a forum for exchanging practical experiences, challenging established approaches and strengthening connections across the Middle East legal community. We thank our sponsors, partners, speakers and attendees for their support and contribution to the conference and look forward to welcoming the Middle East legal community back in 2027. 

 

Testimonials:

"GCC Middle East 2026 brought together exactly the right mix of in-house leaders, regulators and advisers to debate the questions that actually keep general counsel busy, from data governance and AI to the realities of operating across overlapping GCC regimes. The sessions were candid and practical, and I left with ideas I could put to work immediately. A well-run event and one I would recommend to any GC in the region."

                                                                                                                                                                                     - General Counsel, Speaker at GCC Middle East 2026

 

"This year’s General Counsel Conference Middle East brought together an exceptional community of legal leaders from across the region and provided a valuable platform for meaningful discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the in-house legal profession. The quality of the content, speakers, and engagement throughout the conference was outstanding, making it a truly rewarding and worthwhile experience. It was a privilege to serve as Chairman of GCC Middle East 2026 contributing to an event that continues to set the benchmark for excellence within the legal community. I congratulate Law.com on delivering such a successful and impactful conference and look forward to supporting future editions."

                                                                                                                                                                                          - General Counsel, Chair at GCC Middle East 2026

 

"The Law.com and ACC GCC Middle East Conference is an unmissable event for General Counsel and senior legal leaders in the region. Speaking was a highlight for me: a well-prepared panel, candid discussion and excellent conversations with participants afterwards."

                                                                                                                                                                        - Former General Counsel, Speaker at GCC Middle East 2026

 

"I enjoyed it so much. The conversation with my panel before and during the panel was enjoyable and insightful. The event itself was well-organized and diverse in many ways. The attendees were all very thoughtful, and I enjoyed speaking with many of them.  The different backgrounds and views presented were very informative. I found the different modes of presentation in the conference from keynote to round tables, to panels very interesting."

                                                                                                                                                                                   - Managing Partner, Sponsor at GCC Middle East 2026