BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SAEED AL MUHARRAMI
Saeed Al Muharrami the Chairman of Saeed Al Muharrami Advocates and Legal Consultants, is a prominent lawyer in the UAE with extensive experience in criminal law. Before opening in Abu Dhabi office in 2006, he served as an officer in the Criminal Investigation Department for 20 years, handling a range of criminal cases, investigations and interrogations, specifically relating to financial crimes. In 2010 he established an office in Sharjah to meet the demands of his growing client base.
WALID SARWAT KANTARI
Walid Sarwat Kantari, the Managing Director of Saeed Al Muharrami Advocates and Legal Consultants, is a senior partner in Brain International, a member of the Beirut Bar Association and the founder of Kantari Law Firm, a highly reputable Lebanese law firm that specializes in several legal fields, including commercial law, corporate law, employment law, and real estate. With over 36 years of experience as a lawyer, Mr. Kantari has established himself as one of the leading legal minds in the Middle East, and has represented clients from across the region in several jurisdictions. He was the first to develop a computer program that complies all Lebanese laws and court orders onto a search engine, which helped increase the efficiency of the legal process in Lebanon.
Mr. Kantari specializes in local and international arbitration, and commands strong negotiation skills through his extensive experience with complex cases and deals. He has been handling litigation and arbitration cases in Dubai for over 11 years, and is currently the legal advisor for several large companies that are based in the UAE.
Mr. Kantari was the legal advisor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Lebanon for 17 years, where he handled arbitration cases, negotiated contracts, and advised the organization on local and regional laws. He also assisted the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) with drafting new laws and regulations relating to specialized zones aimed at attracting foreign and domestic investors.
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
We’re proud of our people and the dedication they give every day
Georges Jreij
Georges Jreij is a senior partner in Brain International, and the founder of Georges Jreij Law Firm. With over 32 years of legal experience, Mr. Jreij is recognized as one of the most influential lawyers in Lebanon and the Gulf, and was elected as president of the Beirut Bar Association in 2013. He served on the council of the Beirut Bar Association for two consecutive terms, and was elected as treasurer of the council in 2010.
Mr. Jreij has forged strong relationships with influential figures and governmental organizations across the gulf. He is in constant collaboration with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the Minister of Justice for Kuwait, the UAE Ministry of Justice, and the Lebanese Labor Council in Dubai. Mr. Jreij is a lecturer in various subjects of law and the founder of the International Arbitration Center in Beirut.
Mr. Jreij has forged strong relationships with influential figures and governmental organizations across the gulf. He is in constant collaboration with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the Minister of Justice for Kuwait, the UAE Ministry of Justice, and the Lebanese Labor Council in Dubai. Mr. Jreij is a lecturer in various subjects of law and the founder of the International Arbitration Center in Beirut.
Toufic Noueiry
Toufic Noueiry is a senior partner in Brain International, and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. With over 24 years of experience in advising local and multinational companies, Mr. Nouiery has established himself as one of the leading lawyers in the region, and is currently the legal advisor of Abudawood Group (Saudi Arabia), MPIC (United Arab Emirates), Heritage Village Real Estate Company (Kuwait), and NOD Holding.
Mr. Noueiry previously worked as an attorney at Dr. Bahige Tabbarah Law Offices, where he personally handled the legal files of multinational banks, including Mediterranee Bank, Saudi Lebanese Bank, American Express Bank, and Universal Bank. He later joined Sami Nahas Law Offices, one of the leading law firms in Lebanon, where he was the legal advisor to high profile companies, including Solidere, Averda, Blom Bank, Future Television, and Societe Des Grands Hotels Du Liban (SGHL).
Mr. Nouiery is currently the Assistant General Secretary of the Arab Lawyers Union, President of the United Arabs Legislations Committee in the Union, and a member of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA) in Paris. He was also a former board member of the Beirut Bar Association for two consecutive terms, and was the General Secretary for six years.
Mr. Noueiry previously worked as an attorney at Dr. Bahige Tabbarah Law Offices, where he personally handled the legal files of multinational banks, including Mediterranee Bank, Saudi Lebanese Bank, American Express Bank, and Universal Bank. He later joined Sami Nahas Law Offices, one of the leading law firms in Lebanon, where he was the legal advisor to high profile companies, including Solidere, Averda, Blom Bank, Future Television, and Societe Des Grands Hotels Du Liban (SGHL).
Mr. Nouiery is currently the Assistant General Secretary of the Arab Lawyers Union, President of the United Arabs Legislations Committee in the Union, and a member of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA) in Paris. He was also a former board member of the Beirut Bar Association for two consecutive terms, and was the General Secretary for six years.
Dr. Paul Morcos
Dr. Paul Morcos is a senior partner in Brain International, a member of the Beirut Bar Association and the founder of Justicia Law Offices, a large Lebanese law firm with a regional presence. Dr. Morcos specializes in corporate and banking law, and is currently the legal advisor to several large Arab banks, including the Union of Arab Banks, Bank of Beirut and the Arab Countries (BBAC). Dr. Morcos also has extensive experience on human rights issues, and was the legal advisor to several governmental entities and projects, including the Lebanese Parliament, EU sponsored projects in Lebanon, and initiatives by the UNDP in Lebanon.
Dr. Morcos has published several books and studies on public law, human rights, corporate law, and banking law. Some of his publications were sponsored and commissioned by international organizations, such as the UNDP, UNESCO, UNHCR, and the EU. Dr. Morcos also gave several lectures on legal topics related to banking at international conferences held by the U.S. Treasury department, the American Bar Association, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Arab Monetary Fund, and the International Monetary Fund.
Dr. Morcos has published several books and studies on public law, human rights, corporate law, and banking law. Some of his publications were sponsored and commissioned by international organizations, such as the UNDP, UNESCO, UNHCR, and the EU. Dr. Morcos also gave several lectures on legal topics related to banking at international conferences held by the U.S. Treasury department, the American Bar Association, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Arab Monetary Fund, and the International Monetary Fund.
Ranya Michel Rizk
Ranya Michel Rizk is a senior partner in Brain International, and a managing partner at Michel Rizk law firm. Mrs. Rizk is also a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and has over 18 years of experience in various fields of law, including litigation, arbitration, commercial and corporate law, civil litigation, joint ventures, contract negotiation, family law, exportation cases, and property law.
OMAR EL- KOUSH
Omar El- Koush, a member of the Board of Directors at Saeed Al Muharrami and Legal Consultants, is a senior partner in Brain International and the founder of El-Koush Law Firm, a large Lebanese law firm that specializes in various legal fields relating to specific industries, including consumer products, financial institutions, construction, maritime law, and aviation. His clients include public and private hospitals, developers, contractors, engineers, and government bodies. Mr. El-Koush is also the legal advisor to Rafik Hariri Governmental University Hospital in Beirut, Group Mediterranean Services S.A.L, and the Directorate of Health and Social Services (DHSS), a subsidiary of the Rafik Hariri Foundation.
Mr. El-Koush is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. He specializes in labor law, criminal law, and corporate law, and has extensive experience in dealing with issues relating to real estate and healthcare. Mr. El-Koush was actively involved in the development of large private and public hospitals, where he assisted in developing procurement strategies, drafting employment contracts for internal and external staff, and negotiating contracts with medial suppliers. He was previously the Chairman of the compliance committee at a highly reputable hospital in Lebanon, and continuously gives lectures relating to Labor law and medical malpractice.
Mr. El-Koush is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. He specializes in labor law, criminal law, and corporate law, and has extensive experience in dealing with issues relating to real estate and healthcare. Mr. El-Koush was actively involved in the development of large private and public hospitals, where he assisted in developing procurement strategies, drafting employment contracts for internal and external staff, and negotiating contracts with medial suppliers. He was previously the Chairman of the compliance committee at a highly reputable hospital in Lebanon, and continuously gives lectures relating to Labor law and medical malpractice.
Omar Khaled El Skandarani
Omar Khaled El Skandarani is a senior partner in Brain International, and the founder of Union Law Firm, a leading Lebanese law firm that specializes in family law. With over 18 years of experience in family law, Mr. El Skandarani specializes in providing legal advice on personal status and civil cases, including divorce, alimony, child custody, guardianship, domestic violence, and property division. Mr. El Skandarani is also an expert on Sharia Law, and is currently the Sharia legal advisor to Dar Al Fatwa and Sunni courts across Lebanon.
Mr. El Sknadarani is currently a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and a member of the executive board Islamic Awqaf in Lebanon. He is also the Chairman of the Commission of Juvenile Justice and the Rights of the Child, and the Chairman of the International Association of Arab Lawyers bureau in Lebanon.
Mr. El Sknadarani is currently a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and a member of the executive board Islamic Awqaf in Lebanon. He is also the Chairman of the Commission of Juvenile Justice and the Rights of the Child, and the Chairman of the International Association of Arab Lawyers bureau in Lebanon.
Charbel Michel Rizk
Charbel Michel Rizk is a senior Partner in Brain International with 14 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, and is the managing partner at Michael Risk Law Firm. Mr. Rizk is also a member of the Beirut Bar Association and serves as an advisor to five municipalities in Lebanon. He currently acts as the secretary general of the basketball union in Lebanon, and established five non-governmental organizations and syndictes.
Hassan S. Halawani
Hassan S. Halawani, is a senior partner in Brain International and the founder of Halawani Law Firm. Mr. Halawani has over 14 year of experience as a lawyer, and is currently the legal advisor to Minister Hassan Mneimneh, the Minister of Education and High Education of Lebanon. Mr. Halawani is also a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and was a member of the governmental technical delegation between the Lebanese government and the Syrian government.
Mr. Halawani previously worked for the Court of Appeal in Paris under Chief Justice Laurent Marcadier and the Court of Appeal of Beirut under Chief Justice Marwan Karkabi. He was also a lawyer at Jibran Majdalani Law Firm and Charles Eid Law Firm, two highly reputable Lebanese law firms that specialize in corporate law.
Mr. Halawani previously worked for the Court of Appeal in Paris under Chief Justice Laurent Marcadier and the Court of Appeal of Beirut under Chief Justice Marwan Karkabi. He was also a lawyer at Jibran Majdalani Law Firm and Charles Eid Law Firm, two highly reputable Lebanese law firms that specialize in corporate law.
Jean El-Hachache
Jean El-Hachache a senior partner in Brain International and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. Mr. El-Hachache is also the General Secretary of the Beirut Lawyers Syndicate Club, and has over 21 years of experience in practicing law and handling high profile cases, specifically relating to penal, criminal, and athletics cases.
Henri Emile Najm
Henri Emile Najm is a senior partner in Brain International, and the managing partner of Najm Law Firm, a highly reputable Lebanese law firm founded since 1960. Mr. Najm is also a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and is the legal advisor to more than two hundred Lebanese and foreign companies. Mr. Najm has over 23 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, and specializes in contracts, trademarks, international arbitration, mediation, and litigations.
Dr. Salem Abdel Samad
Dr. Salem Abdel Samad is a senior partner in Brain International and the founder of Salam Law Firm, a leading law firm in Lebanon and the Gulf that specializes in corporate law, banking law, insurance, contracts, and international affairs. Dr. Abdel Samad is legal advisor to Mebco Bank, the National institute for Guarantee of Deposits in Lebanon, and Edugates International, an education consultancy firm in the Middle East. He is also the legal advisor to several municipalities and NGOs in Lebanon that are concerned with human rights issues and community development programs.
Dr. Abdel Samad is a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and is currently on the legislative and Anti-corruption comities. He is also a member of the legislative comity of the Lebanese Democratic Parliamentary Bloc, and is a member of several human rights institutions, including the institute of human rights and the UNHCR. He is a lecturer at the institute of Lawyers at the Beirut Bar association as well as lecturer at a number of universities.
Dr. Abdel Samad is a member of the Beirut Bar Association, and is currently on the legislative and Anti-corruption comities. He is also a member of the legislative comity of the Lebanese Democratic Parliamentary Bloc, and is a member of several human rights institutions, including the institute of human rights and the UNHCR. He is a lecturer at the institute of Lawyers at the Beirut Bar association as well as lecturer at a number of universities.
Joseph G. Yazbeck
Joseph G. Yazbeck is a senior partner at Brain International, a partner at JUSTICIA Law firm, and the founder of his own private law practice in Lebanon. With over 15 years of experience as a barrister, Mr.Yazbeck has established himself as one of the leading lawyers in Lebanon in both public and private fields. He has extensive experience in advising clients and drafting legislations in several areas of law, including corporate law, commercial law, investment law, employment law, and sports law. Throughout his career, Mr. Yazbeck acted as the legal advisor to several large financial institutions, including Al Beckaa Bank, Amwal Invest, and Mount Lebanon Invest. He is also an advocate for human rights in Lebanon, and has drafted several laws relating to religious discrimination and woman rights.
Mr. Yazbeck has played a vital role in shaping the governing bodies and regulations for football in Lebanon and the region. He is currently a member and legal advisor to the Board of Directors of the Football Agency of the Middle East (F.A.M.E), and was previously a member of the Lebanese Football Federation’s appeals committee. Mr. Yazbeck also assisted in drafting the by-laws and regulations for Futsal in Lebanon, and was the General Secretary of the Futsal Committee in the Lebanese Football Federation. Throughout his career, he has handled numerous lawsuits at the Resolution Chamber of FIFA in Switzerland and the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Mr. Yazbeck has played a vital role in shaping the governing bodies and regulations for football in Lebanon and the region. He is currently a member and legal advisor to the Board of Directors of the Football Agency of the Middle East (F.A.M.E), and was previously a member of the Lebanese Football Federation’s appeals committee. Mr. Yazbeck also assisted in drafting the by-laws and regulations for Futsal in Lebanon, and was the General Secretary of the Futsal Committee in the Lebanese Football Federation. Throughout his career, he has handled numerous lawsuits at the Resolution Chamber of FIFA in Switzerland and the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
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