Ali Zarouni, Managing Partner - Horizons Law

Adv. Ali is the founder and managing partner of Horizons & Co law firm. He is a highly accomplished and meticulous lawyer, having practiced law for over 20 years. His area of specialisation is primarily litigation and arbitration with a proven track record of success in dispute matters. He has represented some of the most prominent companies, establishments and individuals before all levels of courts and various arbitration tribunals. He is a qualified arbitrator registered with Dubai International Arbitration Centre and is licensed as a Private Notary Public by the Dubai Courts. Adv. Ali has represented clients before public prosecutions, police stations, rent committees, conciliation committees and every level of court in the UAE, across all areas of litigation. He also has a long track record in ratification and nullification of arbitration awards before courts. In addition to private individuals, Adv. Ali has represented several prominent companies in complex arbitration matters. He has acted as local co-counsel in many such matters before various arbitration tribunals in the UAE and is an expert in negotiations. Numerous settlements on behalf of his corporate and individual clients bear testimony to a respected ability to influence the resolution of disputes in an amicable yet successful manner.

Dr. Yasser Abo Ismail, General Counsel and Compliance Officer - MENA Global Lead of Compliance Culture and Training Schindler Group

International legal counsel and experienced leader who acts as a true business partner andleadby influencing and partnering with executive leaders to accelerate global business goals and to build a culture of integrity. Throughout his career and academic journey in Egypt, France, Saudi and UAE with top tier multinational organizations such as Ernst & Young, PepsiCo, Eaton and currently Schindler, he played a vital leadership role in developing agile, competent andforward thinkinglegal functions that enable and accelerate the sustainable and profitable growth of business. Currently, Yasser oversees all legal, commercial and compliance matters across the Middle East and North Africa region and leadsthe Global Function of Compliance Culture and Training at Schindler Group. He has been selected three times by Legal500 as one of the most influential 100general counselsin the Middle East and has been named as the General Counsel of Year 2020 by Legal Era Magazineand the General Counsel of the Year 2021by Legal Week.  Yasser holds aBachelor’s Degreein Law from Cairo University, aMaster’s Degreein International Business Law from Paris IX University in France, aMaster’s Degreein International Business Contracts and a PhD both from the University Montpellier I in France.

Richard Wilmot-Smith, QC – 39 Essex Chambers

Richard is a specialist in all aspects of construction and engineering litigation and arbitration and has over forty years’ experience in that field, thirty of them at the highest level. He has been in silk since 1994 and sits as an arbitrator and adjudicator worldwide in high value cases. He is Editor of Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts Fourth Edition OUP 2021. His expertise also extends to issues involving European law, environmental law (including coal and nuclear power, and waste incidents), libel, health & safety, railways and oil & gas. He has acted in litigation and arbitration concerned with major projects in the United Kingdom, the United States, Tanzania, Egypt, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Iran, Iraq, Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Rishabh Jogani, Partner - MRP Advisory

Rishabh is an India qualified lawyer with several years of experience. In addition to construction law, he specialises in shareholder disputes, intellectual property law issues, debt recovery claims and real estate matters. He has represented clients in both domestic and international arbitrations. He has done several ad-hoc arbitrations and arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA or SIAC institutional rules. He has represented clients in arbitrations governed by Indian, English, Singaporean, Kazakhstani or Sudanese law. He has also managed complex litigations before the Indian Courts As an experienced lawyer, he has managed hundreds of challenging disputes before various forums. He regularly advises clients on various legal issues. Rishabh has previously worked with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Mumbai, DSK Legal, Mumbai and Mr. Pradeep Sancheti, Sr. Advocate, Bombay High Court. Rishabh holds Bachelors of Law and Bachelors of Legal Science degrees from the University of Mumbai. He also holds an LL.M in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London and also holds a Masters in Intellectual Property Law, IGNOU, New Delhi.

Ollie Dimsdale, Research Manager - Chambers Global (ROW) Chambers and Partners

Research Manager - Chambers Global (ROW). Ollie has been with Chambers and Partners for several years, initially starting as a Researcher on Chambers Asia-Pacific before working his way up to Assistant Editor. In 2016 he became Deputy Editor of Chambers Global, with specific responsibilities for the Middle East, North Africa and Offshore Caribbean. He graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA in English & Theatre Studies (2006) and an MA in English Literature (2007). He also separately obtained an MLitt in Creative Writing from the University of St Andrews (2010).