Zehra M. Manni
Associate
Zehra Manni is based in the Dubai office and specializes in construction law and construction disputes.
Having previously worked in a local firm with a large regional presence, she has a practical understanding of both civil law and common law approaches to construction and related commercial matters in the region. She has represented employers, contractors, subcontractors and consultants in contentious and non-contentious matters in Qatar and the UAE.
- Representing the employer in a dispute arising out of the construction of the US$15 billion international airport in Qatar.
- Advising subcontractors and contractors in the GCC on their rights on issues such as liquidated damages, limitation of liability, encashment of bonds and termination rights.
- Representing a government-owned company in Qatar in a DIFC LCIA arbitration matter against a fraudulent partner in connection with assets valued at US$26 million.
- Advising a joint-venture subcontractor as to its rights and obligations under a MEP subcontract valued at 1 billion Qatari Riyals in connection with the construction of a world-class hospital in Qatar prior to and following the well-publicized termination of the main contractor.
- Acting for a Finnish contractor in reviewing and negotiating the construction contract for design, construction and delivery of an island unit for Burj Al Arab hotel.
- Representing a major international engineering consulting firm in a dispute against Dubai Municipality for nonpayment of fees involving a 1.12 billion UAE Dirham construction contract.
- Drafting a standard document suite (FIDIC-based) for a major development company in Abu Dhabi.
- Negotiating and drafting a multimillion US dollar manufacturing agreement on behalf of the main contractor with a France-based manufacturer for the supply of specialized lighting poles in connection with a major government contract in Qatar.
- Carrying out risk analysis of tender documents and construction contracts for various contractors across the UAE.
- Acting for the Ras Al Khaimah government and advising on various construction and consulting services contracts.
Education
- Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 2010
- Emory University, B.A., 2004
Admissions
- New York
- Co-author, “When the Clock is Ticking and the Contractor is in Delay: What Can You Do?”, Lexology, May 2016.
- Author, “Public Procurement Law. A Step Towards The Progress of Qatar’s Construction Sector”, QCN, Yearbook Issue – May 2016.
- Author, “Ready to do Your Bidding?”, Lexis Middle East Law Alert, June/July 2016.
- Co-author, “PPPs in Dubai: A Change to Innovate!”, Lexology, February 2016.
- Co-author, “The Urgent Case: A Little-Known Tool for Stealthy Contractual Parties in Qatar”, Al Tamimi Law Update, February 2016.
- Author, “Qatar: Proposed Amendments to the Public Tender Rules”, Thomson Reuters Zawya, August 2015.
- Co-author, “Protected or Not? Criminal Liability of Managers in Qatar”, The Edge, April 2014.