Abu Dhabi In-House Community Congress 2025

Registration

Opening Remarks 

by Rahul Prakash, Publisher, In-House Community

AI and the In-House Legal Team: Smarter, Faster, Better?

Moderator:
Sadiq Jafar, Managing Partner, Hadef & Partners

Panelists:

• Ali Chaudhry, Legal Engineer, Simmons & Simmons LLP
• Ali Haidar, Head of Corporate, External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft UAE
• Bilal Syed, Customer Success Manager, AI & Legal Tech (Asia & Emerging Markets), Thomson Reuters
• Roopal Jobanputra, General Counsel, Core42 (a G42 company)

This session will focus on how in-house teams can use AI to work more efficiently.

Subtopics include:

• Overview of some available AI tools.
• How to determine what you need.
• How external counsel are using AI and what in-house teams can learn from them.
• Using AI to save time and make better decisions.
• The regulatory and compliance aspects of AI. What to look out for?

Morning networking break

10 things every In-House Counsel should know 

Speakers:
Mohamed Eissa, Partner, Hadef & Partners
Omar Al Heloo, Partner, Hadef & Partners

Synopsis:
This session will provide in-house counsel with crucial updates on the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in the UAE, with a focus on recent developments, emerging trends, and key changes that impact how disputes are handled in this jurisdiction.

The experts from Hadef & Partners will provide:

• Analysis of how these updates affect day-to-day operations for in-house counsel
• Practical tips for adapting dispute management strategies to the new legal landscape
• Case studies illustrating the real-world impact of these changes
• Insights into potential future developments in UAE dispute resolution

Tax Challenges in the UAE: Understanding Interpretation Gaps and Resolution Pathways

Speaker: Patryk Karczewski, Partner, AMERELLER

This session will cover:

• Corporate tax and VAT ambiguities.
• Tax dispute resolution path and current litigation practice of the FTA.

Mistakes to Avoid while Doing Business in India 

Speaker: Vishal Gandhi, Managing Partner, Gandhi & Associates

Lunch break

Corporate Governance and ESG Compliance in the UAE: Making Business Practices Stronger Through Sustainable Finance and Green Instruments

Speakers:

Fadi Hassoun, Partner, Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Rodrigo Carè, Senior Counsel, Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants
Khaled Mehdi, Senior Associate, Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants

This topic will look at how corporate governance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are changing in the UAE. It will show how companies are bringing ESG ideas into their business structures and money plans. The talk will cover the rules in place how ESG shapes corporate governance, and why sustainable finance matters more now. It will also touch on the growth of green bonds and other green financial tools.

The session will feature different but related part of the subject. Also, an outside expert might share knowledge on how big companies in the UAE are putting ESG ideas into action.

Key Points and Structure:

1. Corporate Governance and ESG’s Place in the UAE

• UAE law’s corporate governance rules (Commercial Companies Law, ADGM, DIFC): A summary.
• ESG factors have an impact on corporate choices and boardroom interactions.
• UAE Central Bank and Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) drive ESG compliance regulations.
• ESG shapes board makeup, accountability, and shareholder rights.
• ESG reporting and openness gain importance; they align with global benchmarks (e.g., GRI TCFD etc.).

2. Sustainable Finance and Green Financial Instruments in the UAE

• What sustainable finance means and why it matters.
• How the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy pushes green investments.
• A look at green bonds and sustainability-linked tools:
  • ICMA Green Bond Principles.
  • How green bonds, sustainability bonds, and transition bonds differ.
  • Rules and listing choices in ADGM and DIFC.
• Examples of successful green bond issues in the UAE.
• Pros and cons of creating a sustainable finance system.

3. Putting ESG into Action: Business Hurdles and Chances

• Hurdles companies face when they try to put ESG frameworks into action.
• How to grow a business while also caring for the environment and society.
• How tech helps track and boost ESG performance.
• What we can learn from big UAE companies about bringing ESG into their work (this might include input from the outside expert).
• Ideas to make corporate governance stronger through ESG.

4. More Insights from Outside Expert (to be confirmed):

• Hands-on tips from an expert about how large UAE companies are using ESG principles.
• Real examples of how businesses line up with sustainable finance rules and governance standards.

Essential Considerations for Doing Business in the UAE

Speakers:
Yasser Omar, Executive Partner, Hadef & Partners
Diana Froyland, Senior Counsel, Hadef & Partners

This session will highlight crucial considerations for businesses operating in the UAE. It aims to provide in-house legal professionals with the insights needed to navigate the evolving legal landscape in the region effectively.

The areas to be covered will include:

• Data Protection: An overview of the three key data privacy regimes in the UAE.
• Consumer Protection & E-Commerce: Exploring the regulatory framework governing consumer rights and obligations.
• Competition Law: Insights into the UAE’s competition regulations and their impact on market practices, including an update on the Cabinet Decision No. 3 issued in January 2025.
• Agency Law: Navigating the legal requirements surrounding agency agreements and distribution channels.
• Artificial Intelligence: Addressing the legal considerations and regulatory frameworks governing AI technologies in the UAE.

The session will provide a comprehensive overview of these vital topics, equipping attendees with the knowledge necessary to advise their organizations effectively and strategically in the UAE market.

Afternoon networking break

From Startup to Scale-Up: M&A through a Company’s Lifecycle in the GCC

Speaker:
Christopher Gunson, Partner, AMERELLER

This session will cover:

• Overview of the M&A ecosystem in the GCC
• Opportunities and struggles for startups and their investors
• Lessons learned from case studies

Panel Discussion by Jones Day
Topic TBC

Speakers:
Sheila Shadmand, Partner, Jones Day
Heather Martin, Of Counsel, Jones Day

Closing Remarks & Prize Giveaway