Thenji Moyo

Partner, Gateley Middle East

Thenji Moyo is an award-winning lawyer that heads the Gateley Middle East employment practice and is a qualified specialist Employment Legal Director advising on all UAE and DIFC employment law. Thenji is ranked in Chambers and Partners and a qualified specialist Employment Legal Director advising on all UAE and DIFC employment law.

Thenji has extensive experience working in employment law advising blue chip, multinational, regional, local and private clients from all industry sectors.

Thenji works closely with the employment local litigation counsel to file employment claims at the Dubai Courts via the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and she is a legal practitioner registered with the DIFC Courts. Thenji works closely with the UAE free zones and currently volunteers with the DIFC and DMCC pro-bono clinic. Thenji is the appointed employee representative on the Supervisory Board for the newly established DIFC Employee Workplace Savings Scheme.

Thenji was awarded the Employment Lawyer of the Year at the first G.C.C. Lexis Nexis Women in Law Awards 2022 for her outstanding contributions to the legal industry. In 2021, she led the Gateley team in various gender equality initiatives and introduced an aggressive training campaign aimed at the promotion of equality within the workplace. The firm was awarded with the Equality Initiative of the Year at the Lexis Nexis Women in Law Awards and the Middle East Legal Awards 2022. Thenji is also a published author and an adjunct lecturer at Middlesex University (Dubai).

Amgad Husein

Partner, Hourani & Partners

Amgad is a US-trained and qualified Partner with almost two decades of experience in Saudi Arabia. Amgad specializes in advising major American, European, and Asian banking, industrial, and corporate institutions doing business in Saudi Arabia. Chambers and Partners cites Amgad as: “good, solid corporate and commercial regulatory lawyer” and that Amgad “consistently impresses with his advice and assistance”. Clients are full of praise for Amgad, with one saying: “much of the value comes from Amgad. He rolls up his sleeves and gives good, helpful advice. He is dedicated and always on call”. Amgad is recommended for his “practical approach and very good understanding of the Saudi commercial and governmental environment”.

Prior to joining the Firm, Amgad managed the Riyadh office of a global law firm.

Anas Akel

Partner, Hourani & Partners

Anas US-trained and qualified Partner with over a decade of corporate and commercial experience in the Kingdom. Anas regularly advises companies and foreign investors on a wide array of corporate, commercial, and cross-border transactions and disputes, and has handled matters in the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. Chambers and Partners cites Anas as: “advises foreign companies and investors on the full gamut of corporate issues, including corporate governance and market entry. He also guides clients on regulatory compliance and employment matters.” His background also includes representation on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, insurance, and capital markets matters. Anas lecturers at the Prince Mohammad bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship and advises start-ups at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Prior to joining the Firm, Anas founded and managed the Jeddah office of a global law firm. He also previously served as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for a publicly listed insurance company in Saudi Arabia.

Edlyn Verzola

Senior Associate, ASAR, Kuwait

Edlyn Verzola is a Senior Associate with ASAR and has been with the firm since April 2002. She specializes in general corporate law, labour, immigration, intellectual property, franchising, agency, data protection, internet regulations and anti-bribery and corruption regulations of Kuwait. Edlyn is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (since in 1993), UP Women’s Lawyers Circle and PI Gamma Mu Honor Society. Edlyn completed her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in  1998 and received her Bachelor of Law in 1992, both from the University of the Philippines. Edlyn’s practice languages are English and Tagalog.

Thamer Al Shahry

Partner, SASLO

Thamer is a Partner and heads SASLO’s Corporate and Commercial practice. He is an experienced Omani lawyer in banking & finance, corporate finance, capital market, corporate structures, M&A, IPP & IWP and Sector Law.

He is also a member of SASLO’s Dispute Resolution team advising and representing a range of international, regional and Omani clients in many aspects including, Commercial, Construction, Employment and Banking & Finance disputes before Courts and arbitral tribunals.

Thamer has been recognised as a Recommended lawyer 2020 within The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2020 in areas such as Banking and finance, Commercial corporate and M&A, Dispute resolution, Projects and energy, Real estate and construction and Shipping. The clients said ‘Thamer Al Shahry has a sharp legal aptitude and acumen.’

Thamer has been recognized in Chambers Global 2020 ranking as a prominent practitioner in Dispute Resolution who is experienced in high-profile international arbitrations and a wide range of general commercial, labour and banking disputes. Clients laud him for being “very co-operative, very reliable, consistent and smart“. In Corporate & Finance, Thamer is as well recognized as an ever-more respected lawyer whose expertise spans finance, capital markets, M&A and commercial agreement. Clients state that “he is very service-oriented” and “very reliable, consistent and committed, as well clear in his advice“.

Jonathan Fisher

Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys (LLP)

Jonathan is an Associate corporate solicitor based in our Bahrain office. Jonathan advises on general company and commercial matters and has a broad range of experience of corporate M&A transactions. Jonathan regularly advises clients on corporate and commercial matters with specific experience advising on M&A transactions, business/asset sale and purchases, management buy-outs, reorganisations, own-share purchases, share redemptions, share-for-share exchanges, shareholders’ agreements, share allotments and amendments to articles of association in the UK and the Middle East. Jonathan’s recent expertise has included transactions in the banking, construction, engineering, consumer products, electrical services and educational sectors.

Dr. Talal Hamad Aladwani

Assistant Professor at Kuwait International Law School, KOTC ( Kuwait )

 

Noorah Algethami

 

Areas of expertise

 

Education

 

Memberships

Dr. Laura Voda

Senior Associate (Corporate and Commercial), Fichte & Co Legal

Areas of Expertise:

• International transactions
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
• Joint Ventures
• Corporate & Commercial
• Domestic and International Arbitration
• Technology, Media, Telecom
• Property Development and Construction

Biography:

Dr. Laura Voda is part of the corporate and commercial practice group at the Dubai office of the firm. She has over 10 years’ experience in the region and has advised clients on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters including international transactions, cross border M&A, regulatory and compliance, ventures, business expansions and real estate. She also holds a notable experience in arbitration, both domestic and international, having represented clients in comprehensive commercial and real estate claims.

Prior to joining Fichte &Co., she has worked for few major investment conglomerates in the region and gained valuable experience while heading the corporate and commercial practice of several law firms in Dubai. In her over 17 years career span, she acted across various jurisdictions in the European Union, having a recognized experience in advising high net worth individuals or working at the crossroads of multiple systems of Law. In addition, she has worked for governmental institutions and for intergovernmental organizations as well.

She holds a master’s and a PhD in International Law and has studied in prestigious institutions across Europe and Asia. Laura has a keen interest in niche areas of Law, such as the Law of the Sea, Outer Space Law or in the legal aspects of disruptive technologies such as blockchain or technology, where she is currently specializing.
She is a book author and university lecturer in the field of Law. She is also a habitual contributor to various legal publications and legal training programs.

Paula Boast

Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys Bahrain

Paula specialises in construction projects throughout the region, in particular Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar.

Paula is Head of Construction Engineering & Projects for the Middle East Region. Based in Bahrain since 2009, she specialises in construction projects throughout the region, in particular Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. Her extensive experience includes real estate and development, regeneration, infrastructure and utilities, hotels, leisure and tourism, residential, industrial and commercial, education and healthcare, both in the private and public sectors. Paula acts on behalf of government and regulatory clients including Ministry of Works, project employers and developers, lenders and investors, contractors, subcontractors and consultants.

Projects Paula has worked on include Shangri-La Oman, Bahrain National Assembly, Durrat Al Bahrain, Doha Convention Center, Bahrain Bay to include Four Seasons Hotel, Riffa Views, Diyar Al Muharraq, Bahrain Airport, King Abdullah Medical City, Education City Doha, Lusail Doha, Investment Gateway Bahrain and Reef Island. Paula also assisted the Bahrain Ministry of Works in the drafting and publication to market of its first ever Standard Suite of Construction Contracts (2009 Edition) based on FIDIC forms.

Paula is admitted to practise in England and Wales.