Habib Al Mulla & Partners
A member firm of Baker & McKenzie International
For over three decades, Habib Al Mulla & Partners a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International has helped businesses optimize opportunities and mitigate risk in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). As the first international law firm to fully merge with a UAE firm, we deliver unmatched on-the-ground support that reflects a deep understanding of the local legal, regulatory and commercial practices. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 60 lawyers based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offers a full range of local and international legal advice.
We have one of the most comprehensive dispute resolution offerings in the region, and one of the largest dispute resolution teams and a dedicated International Arbitration practice in the UAE. We remain the only international law firm in the UAE with full rights of audience before all local and Federal Courts in the UAE, as well as the DIFC and ADGM Courts and arbitral tribunals.
With over 30 years’ experience in the MENA region, we are notably the first to enter Saudi Arabia and Egypt. We have one of the largest teams in the region by markets and headcount, with 10 offices and over 300 locally and internationally qualified lawyers. Clients and peers have voted us "Arbitration Team of the Year", "Corporate Team of the Year" and "Real Estate Team of the Year" at the Legal Week Middle East Awards 2020.
Dr. Habib Al Mulla
Dr Habib is one of the UAE’s most highly respected legal authorities. He has over 35 years’ experience in UAE law and has drafted many of the modern legislative structures in place in Dubai today. Dr Habib is a strong advocate for the improvement and modernisation of UAE Laws. He is a frequent commentator on the legislation and economy of the UAE and is often consulted to draft and advise on Federal and Emirate level laws.
Dr Habib focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration. He is the Chairman of the CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) UAE Committee and most recently served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
He created the concept of financial free zones in the UAE and was the architect of the legal framework establishing the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the first financial free zone in the UAE. Dr Habib also served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
Dr Habib has held numerous prominent government positions over the years, including being a member of the UAE Federal National Council, the federal parliament of the UAE, member of the Legislative Committee, in charge of reviewing federal legislation, member of the Economic Committee, in charge of reviewing fiscal and economic policy of the federation, Director of the Institute of Advanced Legal and Judicial Studies, in charge of training judges and prosecutors in the Emirate of Dubai and Chairman of the UAE Jurists Association.
He has published many books and articles on the UAE law and economy, including a two part book on his life’s work titled Life’s Harvest, a definitive selection of his writings on the laws, politics and economy of the UAE over the last 26 years. He is also a regular commentator in the media and a prominent speaker at many events and conferences within the UAE and internationally.
Dr Habib holds an LLB in Shari’a and law from the UAE University, a Master of Law from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He is fluent in Arabic and English.
Sally Kotb
Sally Kotb is Counsel in the UAE Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration practice of Habib Al Mulla & Partners, a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International. Sally has wide ranging experience in all types of commercial arbitrations, having acted as counsel and arbitrator under most leading institutional rules, including the ICC, DIFC-LCIA, CRICIA, DIAC, ADCCAC etc.
Sally is experienced in providing strategic advice to clients on all contractual issues, including litigious risks and avoidance from a UAE law perspective. Sally has extensive experience in drafting expert opinions on complex issues of UAE law in support of both international and domestic arbitrations. This is underpinned by her strong understanding of UAE laws and their application on various industry sectors owing to her civil law background and practice in the Middle East & Africa for the past twelve years. She also has particular experience in enforcement of foreign and domestic awards in the UAE.
Sally has acted as the regional representative of the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG) for 3 years and has earned the internationally-recognized designation of Fellow from the prestigious Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).
In addition to organizing and speaking at conferences, Sally is also a registered trainer of the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD) training program, which aims to provide training and professional development of advocates and legal consultants in the Emirate of Dubai.
Sally is admitted in Egypt and is a member of the Egyptian Bar Association since 2006. Sally is also the author of numerous articles and guides on arbitration, including the "Annotated Guide to Arbitration in the UAE - Volume 1: The UAE Arbitration Chapter", Thomson Reuters, 2014, in which she was involved as a co-author.
