People Archive - LexisNexis Middle East

Ahmed Elnaggar

25/03/2026
by Hannah Gutang

AHMED ELNAGGAR
Founder | The Jurist

Ahmed Elnaggar is a seasoned legal consultant and corporate structures specialist with over a decade of experience advising businesses across the UAE, GCC, and international jurisdictions. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Elnaggar & Partners, Founder of The Jurist, and President of the Emirates Legal Network.

Ahmed specialises in corporate and commercial law, with particular expertise in company formation, regulatory compliance, cross-border structuring, and corporate governance across UAE mainland, Free Zones, and offshore jurisdictions. His practice also covers mergers and acquisitions, real estate, labour law, and investment structuring, enabling him to deliver commercially aligned legal solutions in complex regulatory environments.

Ahmed regularly advises corporates, investors, and high-net-worth clients on managing legal risk, protecting assets, and maintaining operational continuity amid market volatility and regulatory change. His work integrates legal, commercial, and strategic considerations, particularly in areas such as contractual risk management, compliance frameworks, and business resilience.

In addition to his advisory practice, he actively contributes to the legal community through thought
leadership and professional initiatives, equipping legal professionals with practical insights to navigate
disruption and support effective decision-making.

Dhana Pillai

11/03/202611/03/2026
by Tanya Jain

Dhana Pillai is a UAE-based lawyer and international tax and transfer pricing specialist advising on ADGM and DIFC fund structures, UAE real-estate acquisition, compliance and taxation. She is a partner/director at Cygal Attorneys Ltd and founder of DP Taxation Consultancy. She holds an LLM in International Tax Law from Leiden University, Certification in Alternative Investments from Harvard University and has over 20 years’ experience in real estate law, taxation, inheritance and capital markets across the Netherlands, Oman and the UAE.

Dhana won the law firm leader of Lexis Nexis women in law awards for the UAE in 2025 and regularly writes in many tax magazines and addresses tax and transfer pricing topics in tax associations.

Nikhil Agarwal

11/03/2026
by Tanya Jain

Nikhil Agarwal is a Senior Manager in Dhruva Consultant’s VAT practice at the Riyadh office, bringing over a decade of indirect tax experience across Australia, the Middle East, and India. A Chartered Accountant, he has spent more than 10 years with leading Big Four firms, including PwC Middle East and PwC Australia.

Nikhil has extensive experience advising multinational clients across diverse industries on GST/VAT advisory, compliance, transaction structuring, tax optimization, and large-scale implementation projects. He has played a key role in GST/VAT rollouts across GCC countries and India, supporting system design, implementation, and go‑live readiness.

Nikhil’s expertise spans complex engagements involving M&A, IPOs, restructurings, due diligence, and interactions with tax authorities on assessments and refunds. Known for his strong client service and leadership, he consistently delivers practical, technology‑enabled solutions that align tax compliance with broader business objectives. He remains committed to shaping effective, future‑ready indirect tax strategies that align with broader business objectives.

Manish Bansal

11/03/202611/03/2026
by Tanya Jain

Manish is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, and lawyer with over 17 years of specialized experience in indirect taxation across India and the Middle East. He has advised multinational organizations on transaction structuring, tax optimization, and implementation strategies across sectors including real estate, construction, power and utilities, financial services, and e‑commerce.

Manish has deep expertise in navigating complex indirect tax matters related to corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and due diligence. His practical, solution‑driven approach has consistently supported clients in adapting to evolving tax frameworks.

He has held senior roles at leading global firms and is currently an Associate Partner in Dhruva Consultant’s VAT team in Riyadh. Manish is recognized as a subject matter expert in RETT and PPP‑related VAT issues. He has led multiple VAT implementation projects across KSA and is an active contributor to industry seminars and tax forums.

Ahmed Albatati

11/03/2026
by Tanya Jain

Ahmed Albatati is an Indirect Tax Manager at MMJS Abdullah Alsudais for Zakat & Tax Consulting, specializing in VAT advisory, compliance, and litigation services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He supports clients across a wide range of industries with VAT health checks, tax authority audits, due diligence, transaction mapping, and dispute resolution.

Prior to moving into consulting, Ahmed worked at the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), where he conducted and supervised hundreds of VAT audits across multiple sectors. This experience provided him with practical insight into the tax authority’s audit procedures, compliance expectations, and common areas of non-compliance.

Through his work, Ahmed focuses on delivering clear, practical, and commercially sound tax solutions that help businesses manage risk and remain compliant with evolving regulations. He regularly shares insights, updates, and practical guidance on VAT developments to support professionals and businesses in navigating indirect tax matters effectively.

Christopher O’Brien

24/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Senior Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Having been based in the Middle East for approximately seven years, Chris practices in a range of dispute resolution fora, including arbitration, court proceedings, mediation and expert determination. Chris’ experience is broad and varied, having acted for clients in matters ranging from mega construction projects (including procurement), oil and gas, financial disputes, intellectual property and data protection.

Chris has a particular focus on dispute avoidance and early dispute resolution. Chris is particularly adept at assisting clients with strategic formulation for the resolution of disputes.

Chris is admitted to practise in England and Wales.

Dilini Loku

10/12/202510/12/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Senior Associate, Gateley Middle East

Dilini is a UK-qualified lawyer with over ten years’ experience in providing employment and pensions law advice to a diverse range of businesses from start-ups to multi-national companies.

Dilini has expertise in guiding businesses with restructures, reorganisations, redundancies, transfer of employees, global mobility solutions, senior executive appointments, and terminations.

Dilini is well versed in all aspects of non-contentious employment law and as well advising on day-to-day HR issues and strategic employee risk management, she regularly advises on and drafts employment contracts, director service agreements, consultancy agreements, business protection agreements, non-disclosure agreements, employment policies and procedures. She is also instructed on employee benefit design matters with particular focus on employee share option schemes. Dilini has advised on the employment aspects of a number of high-profile mergers and acquisitions in the UAE.

Dilini’s practice also encompasses contentious matters for both employers and employees before the local labour courts, the DIFC courts and the ADGM courts in relation to bonus disputes, whistleblowing, and discrimination.

Dilini regularly delivers bespoke employment law training to HR professionals on labour law and updates, terminations, diversity, equality and inclusion, and business protection. She has also written articles and thought leadership pieces, including a practice note for lawyers in relation to employee share option schemes in the UAE.

Dilini has been named a ‘Rising Star’ in UAE Employment Law by the Legal 500 rankings in 2022 and 2023.

Dr. Aseel Zimmo FCIArb

13/11/202513/11/2025
by Hannah Gutang

DR. ASEEL ZIMMO FCIARB
Commercial Arbitrator, Mediator, Lawyer & Director, Traction4Business

Dr. Aseel Zimmo FCIArb is a distinguished international commercial arbitrator, mediator, and lawyer with over 15 years of experience in dispute resolution across the Middle East and beyond. Her expertise spans complex disputes in construction, telecommunications, real estate, corporate transactions, and general commercial matters. She has acted in both institutional and ad hoc proceedings conducted in Arabic and English under leading arbitration rules, including ICC, LCIA, DIAC, CRCICA, OAC, GCCCAC, and UNCITRAL.

A Fellow and faculty member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Dr. Zimmo serves on numerous regional and international arbitration panels such as the LCIA, SCCA, DIAC, CRCICA, LAMC, and OAC. She is also a registered arbitrator and mediator with the Bahraini Ministry of Justice and sits on the advisory committee of the Mediation Hub. Her mediation practice covers commercial, corporate, family business, real estate, and construction disputes. Notably, she contributed to the drafting of
Bahrain’s mediation law and regulations, demonstrating her leadership in shaping the region’s ADR landscape.

Dr. Zimmo has designed and delivered advanced training programs in arbitration, mediation, and negotiation through globally recognized institutions including CIArb and the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute. She is a frequent speaker at international conferences such as Dubai Arbitration Week, Riyadh International Disputes Week, and London International Disputes Week, where she shares insights on dispute resolution trends and institutional developments.

Previously serving as an advisor to Bahrain’s Chief Justice and Minister of Justice, she played a key role in legislative drafting and reforms to the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR). Dr. Zimmo holds an LLM from King’s College London and a PhD in International Commercial Arbitration from the London School of Economics, and is admitted to practice in both New York and Jordan, bridging civil and common law.

Robert Whitehead

12/10/202512/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

ROBERT WHITEHEAD

Partner | HAS Law Firm

Robert Whitehead, Partner at HAS Law Firm, is a highly accomplished disputes lawyer with deep expertise in commercial fraud, asset tracing, and cross-border enforcement. His broad practice spans complex commercial and financial disputes involving property, infrastructure, banking, finance, and shareholder matters, often intersecting with allegations of fraud and misconduct.

Before relocating to the UAE, Robert practiced at Clyde & Co LLP in London, where he represented international blue-chip clients before the Commercial Court, Chancery Division, and the Court of Appeal in large-loss, multi-party, and cross-jurisdictional disputes. This foundation gives him exceptional insight into both common law litigation and international enforcement dynamics.

In the UAE, Robert has developed substantial experience before the DIFC Courts and various arbitral tribunals under DIAC, DIFC-LCIA, and ICC rules. His notable work includes leading a USD 90 million fraud claim in the DIFC Courts and successfully defending complex jurisdictional challenges on behalf of international liquidators and financial institutions.

With a focus on multi-jurisdiction enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, Robert routinely advises clients on applicable law, jurisdictional conflicts, and strategic asset recovery. His ability to bridge DIFC and offshore legal frameworks positions him as one of the region’s foremost practitioners in fraud litigation and enforcement.

Holding an LLB (Hons) from Durham University and the LPC from York College of Law, Robert brings both academic rigour and extensive practical experience, making him exceptionally qualified to lead this course on commercial fraud and asset recovery in MENA.

HANAN AL QENNAH

03/10/202503/10/2025
by Maristela Albores

HANAN AL QENNAH

Partner | HAS Law

Hanan Al Qennah is a seasoned legal strategist with nearly 30 years of experience advising governments, corporations, and international institutions across the UAE, Jordan, and the wider MENA region. Her expertise spans regulatory frameworks in tourism, oil and gas, construction, and corporate law. She has held senior roles including Head of Policy Advocacy at Dubai Chambers and Legal Counsel at the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, where she played a key role in shaping sector-wide legal reforms.

Hanan has collaborated with Big Four firms on regulatory development and compliance strategies, and her work has influenced legislation across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman. She is known for her ability to translate complex legal landscapes into actionable policy and governance models.

With over 500 lectures delivered on law, regulation, and policy advocacy, Hanan brings a wealth of practical insight to emerging legal challenges—particularly in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence. She holds an LLM from Warwick University and executive training from Harvard, and is admitted to practice in Jordan. Her session will bridge global AI regulatory trends with UAE legal realities, offering legal professionals strategic tools for compliance and advisory.