Leila Drissi is a senior associate in our Dubai office.

Prior to joining us, Leila practiced business law at a number of international law firms and has had extensive experience across multiple jurisdictions, including in Paris, Dubai and Casablanca.

Her practice covers corporate and commercial work, including company formation, joint ventures, cross-border mergers and acquisitions and disposals and corporate reorganizations, in a diverse range of industries and sectors in the Middle East. Leila regularly advises clients on the regulatory framework of the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

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  • Acting on behalf of a large US services company in connection with the purchase of a local UAE company (on both corporate and employment aspects).
  • Acting on behalf of a US company in the acquisition of UAE assets.
  • Advising an Italian company on its joint venture with a UAE local company.
  • Advising on the acquisition of shareholding in a telecommunication company in Iraq.
  • Establishment of an investment fund and related entities in the DIFC.
  • Establishment of regulated and non-regulated entities in the DIFC.
  • Advising an aviation company in relation to the preparation and negotiation of a joint venture agreement in the UAE.
  • Advising a French company in relation to a breach and termination of a local franchise agreement.
  • Advising a local retail company on its commercial arrangements with third parties.
  • Advising a prominent chemical company on the process and requirements associated with its local office closure.
  • Advising on foreign ownership restrictions, on the new regulatory framework for marketing and promotion of investment funds in the UAE or on the new draft companies law.
  • Advising various clients on their employment requirements in the UAE, including the drafting of employment contracts, employment handbooks, advice on employment termination.
  • Representing a German company in defending a labor case filed by the general manager of the UAE subsidiary.

Education

  • Ecole de Formation professionnelle des Barreaux de la Cour d'Appel de Paris, CAPA, C.A.P.A., 2010
  • Panthéon Sorbonne-Paris I, Maîtrise en Droit des affaires, B.A., Bachelor in Business Law, 2007
  • ESCP Europe, *UNKNOWN*, Diplôme Grande Ecole (Masters in Management), 2007

Admissions

  • Paris, 2011

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Ordre des Avocats de Paris (Paris Bar Association)
  • French Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Arabic

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  • Ordre des Avocats de Paris (Paris Bar Association)
  • French Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates

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