Blog Archives

Newer posts

Tarek Badawy

Tarek Badawy is a partner in the firm’s Cairo office, specializing in arbitration and international disputes. He represents clients in trade, competition, commercial, media, and investment disputes before international tribunals and commissions, as well as Egyptian courts and administrative authorities. He also sits as an arbitrator under various institutional rules (e.g., ICC, DIAC, CRCICA) and in ad hoc proceedings. He also regularly serves as an expert witness before courts and international tribunals. Tarek also represents some of the leading players in the TMT sector and has acted as counsel for sports associations and marketing agencies before the COMESA Competition Commission in all investigations involving the sponsorship and broadcasting of sports events within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. Leading legal directories consistently rank him as a leading practitioner of arbitration, TMT, and blockchain. Tarek speaks Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

  • American University in Cairo, BA, Political Science, 2001.
  • University of Essex, LLM, 2004.
  • Cairo University, LLB, 2006.
  • McGill University, BCL, 2010.
  • McGill University, JD, 2010.

  • Egypt Bar Association.
  • Ontario, Canada – Barrister and Solicitor.

  • Counseled an aviation company with regard to a multi-million-dollar insurance claim following an aircraft accident in an African State.
  • Represented an international association of airlines in a multi-million-pound insurance dispute before the Egyptian Financial Regulatory Authority’s Dispute Settlement Committee, closing the chapter on a longstanding legal battle between an Egyptian insurance company, a US-based reinsurer, and the client.
  • Counseled a group of reinsurers in the context of their settlement of a multi-million-dollar insurance claim with an Egyptian State-owned company.
  • Counseled a leading global technology company on the procedures for licensing its business under Canadian insurance legislation.
  • Acted for a European sports marketing company before the COMESA Competition Commission with respect to its alleged breach of COMESA Competition Regulations following its execution of a multi-million-dollar sports broadcasting contract with a European-based international sports association.
  • Advised a leading internet company on matters of immunity, criminal statutes, jurisdiction in the context of internet, libel, intellectual property, and consumer protection under Egyptian law.
  • Successfully defended the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against Lagardère Sports in an ICC Emergency Arbitration under Swiss law concerning the alleged unlawful termination of a one-billion-dollar sports broadcasting and marketing contract.
  • Represented a Cairo-based technology company owning the Yaoota.com website in a capital increase and quota purchase transaction and in landing a US$ 2.7 million Series A round with a leading Middle East investment group.
  • Represented two major regional media companies in a multi-million-dollar multi-party dispute involving litigation and arbitration under UAE law concerning breaches of several licensing and broadcasting agreements.
  • Advised a leading global provider of road technology solutions on general IP matters and the transfer of technology in the context of negotiations on multi-million-dollar agreements with the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation.

Tarek Badawy

Partner
Back to Team

Omar Haggag

Mourad Mohamed Haggag is a Partner in the firm’s Cairo office, specializing in litigation and dispute resolution. He leads Meysan’s litigation practice in Egypt, representing clients in complex commercial disputes, international arbitration, corporate litigation, and regulatory matters before Egyptian courts, administrative bodies, and international arbitration panels.With extensive experience as a cassation lawyer and international arbitrator, Mourad has acted as counsel in high-value disputes across multiple sectors, including construction, media, telecommunications, insurance, and financial services.

  • Bachelor of Laws, Ain Shams University.
  • Diploma in International Relations from Ain Shams University.

  • Egyptian Bar Association with the rank of cassation officer.
  • Member of the Arab Lawyers Union.
  • Listed in the lists of arbitrators at the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.

  • Representing ASEC Mining Company - ASCOM - in several arbitration cases worth 50 million pounds.
  • Representing Dina Agricultural Investment Company “Dina Farms” in settling two disputes and preparing a draft settlement.
  • Representing the Industrial Development Group Company in a lawsuit to terminate a contract to sell land in the industrial zone, the dispute value is 15 million pounds.
  • Preparing contracts between the National Railway Industries Company, The Egyptian Railway Authority, and subcontractors in its projects.
  • Representing Link Software Development Company in a case of terminating a villa lease contract worth 10 million pounds.
  • Representing Ascom Carbonates and Chemicals Manufacturing Company in a dispute with its distributor, the value of the dispute is 15 million pounds.
  • University representation of MSA Aktobe University of Modern Sciences and Arts in many subjects with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
  • Representing Dar Al Tarbiya schools (British section, American section) in many topics with the Ministry of Education.
  • Representing Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Company against an Indian consortium regarding a dispute over the supply of two production lines.
  • Representing the Arab Swiss Engineering Company (ASEC) in the nullity suit filed against it by Misr Beni Suef Cement Company, as well as the grievance against the order to issue the executive formula filed by Misr Beni Suef Cement Company.
  • Representing Amer Holding Group and Amer Syria Company in nullity suits and appeals against the order to issue the executive formula and in appeals against the judgments issued therein.

Omar Haggag

Partner
Back to Team

Michel Ghanem

Michel Ghanem is a trilingual Partner in the Meysan Riyadh office. He has over 15 years of experience advising on corporate and commercial matters, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

 

He specializes in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, private equity, and foreign direct investment. He works with clients operating in various business sectors, including telecommunication, logistics, healthcare, media, education, manufacturing, energy, and financial services.

  • University of Aberdeen , LL.M , Honors, International Commercial Law 2012.
  • Notre Dame University (Beirut), MA , International Business 2010.
  • La Sagesse University (Beirut) MA, Civil Law 2003.
  • Lebanese University, BA, 1999.

  • Beirut Bar Association.

  • Advised the shareholders of Saudi Aluminum Industries Company (‘Salumco’) throughout the sale of a 33.33% stake in the company to Increase Industrial Development Co.
  • Advised Al Ahmadiyah Contracting & Trading Co in negotiating a joint venture in respect of a project awarded by Shomoul Asharqiah Commercial Development and Investment JV LLC for the construction of The Avenues Khobar.
  • Advised Allub Industrial Company in a transaction involving the acquisition of 100% Al Aber Global Industrial Company.
  • Advised Agility on its contracting and service agreements with Petrofac, Pfizer, and Nokia, in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
  • Advising Al Sayer Group in the 100% acquisition of Bayan Dental Clinic for a value of USD 20 million.
  • Advised Mobile Telecommunication Company (Zain) in Kuwait on its joint venture arrangement with iFlix / YoYo.
  • Advising STC (Viva Kuwait) on its acquisition of e-Portal in Kuwait.
  • Advising STC (Viva Kuwait) on its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Qualitynet General Trading and Contracting Company.
  • Advising the shareholders of the Kuwait English School in the sale of 100% shares to Sama Education.
  • Advising Bayan Medical Company in the acquisition of a majority stake in Sky Dental.
  • Advising Kuwait English School in the sale of 100% equity to Al Sayer Group for a value of approximately USD 50 million.
  • Advising Agility in the acquisition of Kazoo & More WLL in Kuwait for approximately USD 10 million.
  • Advising the shareholders of Trafalgar WLL in Kuwait on the sale of 50% equity to the Maarouf family.
  • Advising the shareholders of Talabat on the sale of 100% of its capital to German-based business Rocket Internet.

Michel Ghanem

Partner
Back to Team

Abdulla Al Najjar

Abdulla Al Najjar is a UAE-licensed attorney with the right of audience before all courts of the United Arab Emirates. He is a partner in the firm’s Dubai office, with more than 12 years’ experience in a broad range of legal areas and fields.

 

Abdulla started his career as a legal advisor with one of the UAE’s leading banks. This has equipped him with significant expertise that qualifies him to provide legal advice on financial and commercial matters. He handles a wide range of financial services disputes as well as corporate and commercial disputes, often involving multiple parties and across jurisdictions.

Abdulla provided a legal advices to several global companies such as (Google, DSV , Iraq Telecome,Pokka PTE).

  • Bachelor in Law from University of Sharjah.
  • Licensed Lawyer from the Institute of Training & Judicial Studies – Sharjah and Dubai Legal Department.

  • UAE Bar Association.
  • Advocacy Development Authority in Dubai Court.
  • Certified lecturer at Ajman University.

  • Representing Geo Air Conditioning Company in defense of premature claims filed by a bank concerning a loan of AED 120 million for the purchase of apartments in Burj Khalifa. The court ruled in favor of the client, affirming that the bank is not entitled to claim the debt.
  • Representing a UAE-based telecommunications company in the enforcement of an AED 6 billion arbitration award issued by an international arbitration center. The matter involved submitting an execution request to the Dubai Court and initiating enforcement proceedings against a UAE-based investor.
  • Representing Al Farwaniya Real Estate Development Company in a legal dispute against the National Bank of Kuwait before the Abu Dhabi Courts, involving a claim of AED 227 million. The court ruled in favor of our client, confirming that the bank was not entitled to the debt claim.
  • Representing a Russian investor in a money laundering criminal case filed by the Dubai Public Prosecution. The court acquitted the client, dismissing all charges.
  • Representing Drops Middle East Company in a trademark dispute before the Dubai Court.
  • Representing a director at one of the largest watch distribution companies in a claim for end-of-service benefits and unpaid bonuses amounting to AED 1 million. The court ruled in favor of the client, and the amount was successfully collected through enforcement proceedings.
  • Representing an IT solutions company in a debt recovery claim against a company for unpaid equipment supplied, amounting to AED 20 million. The court issued a ruling compelling the defendant to pay the debt in addition to compensation.
  • Representing a global beverage brand in a dispute with its official UAE distributor regarding a claim for goods supplied, totaling AED 47 million. The court ruled in favor of our client, obligating the distributor to pay the outstanding amount along with compensation.
  • Representing a global Oil and Gas company in a labor dispute filed by one of the managers who demanded annual bonuses, overdue salaries, and end-of-service benefits amounting to AED 2 million. The court ruled in favor of our client, affirming that the employee was not entitled to the claims.
  • Representing a real estate company in a rental dispute with a tenant over unpaid rent amounting to AED 2 million. The court ruled in favor of the client, ordering the tenant to pay the outstanding rental dues.

Abdulla Al Najjar

Partner
Back to Team

John Reynolds

John Reynolds is a leading international litigation and arbitration specialist. In his 35-year career, he spent over 15 years at White & Case as Head of the London Litigation Department and Global Co- Head of the firm’s Financial Institutions Practice, and he was also a partner at McDermott Will & Emery and Herbert Smith.

John has helped clients resolve complex problems for more than three decades and is a deeply-connected member of the global dispute resolution community. As a leading figure in the legal world, he has been involved in many of the landmark cases that have shaped the litigation landscape.

Over the years, John has maintained a broad practice, believing that diverse experience brings benefits in looking at most problems. His specialist areas of focus include corporate and M&A disputes, finance litigation, shareholder disputes, investigations, crisis management, fraud and competition litigation.

John has been a ranked litigator in both Chambers and Legal 500 for more than 20 years. He has been described as “a titan of the London litigation landscape” in Legal 500’s 2021 Hall of Fame, an ‘esteemed litigator’ in Chambers 2021 and is ranked as a Global Leader in Who’s Who Legal // Litigation.

  • Reading University, England.
  • University College, London.

  • Law Society of England & Wales.

  • A 13-year battle for control of a Turkish mobile telephone operator arising from financing and restructuring during the Turkish banking crisis. The principal litigation and trial was in the British Virgin Islands and involved 8 appeals to the Privy Council in London. There were related arbitration proceedings in Geneva and Vienna and litigation to enforce arbitration awards in multiple jurisdictions. The case was the first to establish the parameters of the widely-used European security-enforcement measure of appropriation.
  • Investigation relating to transatlantic regulatory enforcement proceedings against a global investment bank, involving anti-money laundering systems and controls, arising from so-called “mirror trading” of Russian blue-chip stocks.
  • The first major UK case of the global financial crisis: suing the UK Government in respect of its nationalisation of Northern Rock Bank following the first UK bank run for 150 years. The case involved arguing (successfully) that the nationalisation had breached the human rights of the client, an investment fund based outside the UK which was the largest shareholder at the time of nationalisation.
  • Politics and intrigue in Eastern Europe: litigation in London and Luxembourg and arbitration in Vienna concerning the ownership of a strategically-important former State-owned company. In essence, the dispute concerned the enforcement of a loan facility, but it raised allegations of fraud and wider political motivations. It sucked in a bank, governmental agencies, oligarchs and investment funds.
  • Advising a corporate in the lead-up to one of the largest IPOs of all time, on a range of issues that had potential impact.
  • Advising a global consumer brand on strategic considerations affecting the potential termination of a long-term regional joint venture.
  • Advising an international financial institution with a complex structure on governance changes to address regulatory requirements, as well as potential legal challenges to the regulators. The issues included the need to balance action against potential reputational damage.

John Reynolds

Partner
Back to Team

Ahmed Awni

Ahmed Awni is a partner in the firm’s Cairo office, he is a commercial litigator, who is widely recognized as a leader in his field. Ahmed focuses on complex litigation, across a full range of sectors, including financial services, and multinational corporations. Clients come to him to litigate high-profile disputes, where there are often millions at stake.

With over 30 years’ experience, Ahmed has significant knowledge in corporate and dispute resolution matters, his broad practice includes company, accounting, financing, banking, insolvency, contractual, breach of contract and employment disputes.

Ahmed has a deep understanding of the challenges that face his clients’ businesses. He has a commercial, hands-on approach to his cases and always thinks strategically about how best to bring a case to a successful conclusion.

  • Bachelor in Law, Alexandria University, 1990.
  • Diploma Law, Alexandria University, 1992.

  • Egypt Bar Association.

  • Advised various financial institutions on significant disputes involving lenders, often arising in the context of troubled companies and includes enforcement and recovery issues.
  • Represented a regional company against criminal charges and charges under the U.S. False Communications Act in one of the largest government contracting cases brought by the U.S. government.
  • Defending a Spanish company against a local subcontractor and a governmental entity in a sophisticated land-works subcontract claim.
  • Advised Agility on its successful global settlement of dual criminal and civil proceedings stemming from US government food-supply contracts between the years of 2003 to 2010.
  • Represented Massaleh Real Estate Company in the dispute with the Tourism Enterprises (a state-affiliated company).
  • Acted for a UAE-based fashion retail company in a dispute with a Kuwaiti business partner.
  • Represented an engineer on the accusation for embezzling public funds from a state-owned company.
  • Represented one of the world’s leading news agencies in multiple proceedings before various types of courts.
  • Advised a group of re-insurers in the context of their settlement of a multi-million-dollar insurance claim with an Egyptian State-owned company.
  • Represented an Egyptian developer in a multi-million-dollar finance transaction relating to the construction of a hotel and commercial complex in Cairo, Egypt.

Ahmed Awni

Partner
Back to Team
Newer posts