The General Counsel Conference Middle East 2026 is a premier event designed for in-house legal professionals, focusing on the evolving role of general counsel in today's dynamic corporate landscape. Organized by this conference brings together leading legal minds to discuss pressing issues, share insights, and foster professional growth.
Key topics covered include navigating regulatory changes in the Middle East, the impact of artificial intelligence on legal practice, mastering mergers and acquisitions from due diligence to integration, and redefining legal strategies in the context of data privacy and security. Sessions are tailored to address both current challenges and future opportunities within the legal sector.
Attendees can benefit from networking opportunities, including roundtable discussions and interactive sessions that encourage peer-to-peer engagement. Notable speakers such as Mohamed Elmogy, General Counsel at Siemens Energy, and Afshan Akhtar, Legal and Governance Expert, will share their expertise, providing valuable perspectives on the future of legal practice.
This conference is ideal for general counsel, in-house legal teams, and legal professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment. Participants will gain actionable insights, practical strategies, and the opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders, enhancing their ability to lead and innovate within their organizations.
Speakers(39)
Afshan Akhtar
Legal and Governance Expert
Alex Saleh
Managing Partner at GLA & Co
Amr A. Abbas
Partner & Head of Arbitration at Matouk Bassiouny
Amun Bashir
Legal Director at Gateley Middle East
Bassam Moussa
Group General Counsel at Mashreq
Behnam Khatami
Founder and Managing Partner at Nami Associates
Darren Harris
Managing Partner at Gateley Middle East
Dawn Sanderson
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Al Dahra Group LLC
Desislava Stankova
Director and Senior Legal Counsel, META and UK at Ingram Micro
Dr Ahmed El Shakankiry
Head of Legal and Compliance at Samsung Gulf Electronics
Dr Thouraya Mathlouthi
Group Legal Director Data Privacy and Protection at e&
Eliana Fonseca
Head of Legal at Emirates Flight Catering
Hamad Haider
Chief Legal Officer at Equiti
James Donald
General Counsel MEA APAC and Deputy General Counsel Premium Midscale and Economy Division at Accor
Jonathan Williams
Head of France at Legora
Linah Yazbak
Head of Legal and Compliance at Fresenius Kabi
Mathieu Savaris
General Counsel & Head of GRC at NEOM
Matteo Grassani
General Counsel at Zahid Group
Maude El Khoury
General Counsel at SHG Facilities Management
Melissa Forbes Miranda
Partner at Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP
Meltem Ozker Gunduz
General Counsel at GE HealthCare
Michelle Ancona Reynolds
Head of Legal at Rheinmetall Barzan Advanced Technologies
Mohamad Jaber
Chief Sanctions Officer and Head of Legal - Greater Gulf at Sanofi
Mohamed Elmogy
General Counsel at Siemens Energy
Mohammed Jamil
General Counsel at Petromin Corporation
Mohammed Majid
CLO/ Group General Counsel at Dubizzle Group
Monita Barghachieh
General Counsel at Marafeq Qatar
Mustasan Mir
Group Chief Legal Counsel at Burjeel Holdings
Nicholas Kramer
Head of Construction and Projects at Greenberg Traurig
Rashed Alsehaly
Chief of Legal and Governance at Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Rashika Bakshi
General Counsel - India, Middle East & North Africa at WPP
Riham Farahat
General Counsel at Emarat Petroleum
Rima Mrad
Partner at BSA LAW
Roula Khaled Hajjaji
General Counsel - Head of Legal and Compliance Department at Khazna Data Centers
Tarek Nakkach
Director & General Counsel, MEA at Kyndryl
Tarek is an award-winning General Counsel, thought leader, and a regular speaker on topics of AI, Governance, Policy, and Law. He is the coauthor of the book “The New AI Era: Transforming Governance and Society” and has many publications in the field of AI, policy, law, and the future of the legal profession. He is also the winner of the Association of Corporate Counsel Top 10 30-Somethings award and chosen as one of the most influential General Counsel in the Middle East recognized by legal directories for promoting AI, technology, and law. He is also a Fellow at the Centre for Assuring Autonomy at the University of York in the UK, which is a program specialized in research in areas of safety for robotics and autonomous systems, and a member of The Digital Economy Court Working Group at the Dubai International Financial Center.
Vera Kolesnik
General Counsel and Compliance Officer at Nestlé MENA
Wafa Derouiche
Vice President and General Counsel Automation and Connected Living Sector at TE Connectivity
Zaid Gardner
General Counsel at Property Finder
Zaid leads the Legal function at Property Finder and has overall responsibility for all legal, compliance, and corporate governance matters across the Group. He has worked at international law firms and in-house for leading multinational corporations operating in the Middle East and Turkey, South Africa, and Hong Kong. Zaid brings vast experience and has an exceptional track record of aligning legal strategy with business growth, making him a valuable partner to the leadership team and the Board.
Zhanara Bateson
General Counsel at Total Energies
Event Details
- Date
- February 11, 2026
- Location
- 🇦🇪 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Address Sky View
- Audience
- General counsel, in-house legal teams, legal professionals