Meet The Partners

Elhassan Abdelrazek

Elhassan has over 14 years of extensive experience in multiple jurisdictions in the Middle East including the UAE, Kuwait and Egypt, where he specialises in banking and finance and commercial transactions as well as corporate and commercial matters.

Elhassan was the General Counsel of Gulf Finance Corporation PJSC, a fully owned subsidiary and the finance arm of SHUAA Capital PSC where he headed the legal and compliance functions. Moreover, Elhassan was part of the team that led several banking and finance and commercial transactions on behalf of SHUAA Capital PSC in the UAE and GCC region. In addition to his previous role as General Counsel, Elhassan spent over 10 years in leading private practice firms in the region, where he represented major GCC and international clients in high-profile transactions, including National Bank of Kuwait, JP Morgan, Warba Bank, Emirates NBD, Buobyan Bank, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Gulf Bank, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Kharafi National and Rasameel Structured Finance.

Elhassan holds a BA-Law from the Faculty of Law (English Department), Cairo University and an LLM degree from the Indiana University School of Law in International and Comparative Law.

Amal Albastaki

Amal has graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Jordan in 2002, Amal specializes in Commercial, Banking and Corporate litigation before the UAE Courts. She was admitted before all courts of the UAE and has significant experience in the legal departments of several banks in the UAE since 2003. Her areas of expertise also include Intellectual Property, Real Estate and Arbitration.

Tarik Nassar

Tarik Nassar is a founding partner of Nassar, Hammad & Bajamal. He commenced his practice as a lawyer in 1985 and has been practicing in the legal profession in the Middle East region for almost 40 years. He has set up several law firms in the Middle East over his expansive career, including Nassar Law firm which he founded in Cairo in 1985. During his time in Dubai, he practiced with a number of leading local law firms the last of which was a partner at Baker & Mckenzie Habib Al Mulla. Thereafter he founded Amal Advocates & Legal Consultants in Dubai.

Tarik is a highly regarded and well-established lawyer and is regarded as a top expert on legal matters in the Middle East region. His practice includes a wide range of specialties with a focus on litigation. Tarik is described as an avid litigator with a strong tactical background. His track record includes a number of landmark cases in the UAE in which significant legal precedents were established.

Tarik leads our courts litigation team across practice areas.

Amr Bajamal

Amr Bajamal is a founding partner of Nassar, Hammad & Bajamal. Prior to founding NHB, Amr practiced in two local law firms whre he was active in litigation & arbitration with a wide range of clients in the fields of real estate development, banking, construction and family offices.

Amr developed his practice and network of clients through having the benefit of understanding both the common law and civil law systems, which comes as a result of his educational qualification in the United Kingdom and admission as an attorney in New York, United States together with 14 years of experience in the UAE.

During his years of practice in the UAE Amr lead a number of high-profile disputes involving, shareholders disputes, complex jurisdictional issues, white collar cross boarder investigations and asset recovery. Through his deep knowledge and hands on strategy lead approach, Amr became a trusted advisor to a number of international law firms based in Dubai and abroad. Amr also acts regularly as a UAE law expert in arbitration and court proceedings in Dubai, United Kingdom and France.

Amr acts as counsel in arbitrations administered by the major arbitration institutions in the region including the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). He also conducts proceedings before the DIFC Courts in Dubai on a wide range of issues.

Amr leads our arbitration and DIFC Courts team across all practice areas.

Elhassan Abdelrazek

Elhassan holds a BA-Law from the Faculty of Law (English Department), Cairo University and an LLM degree from the Indiana University School of Law in International and Comparative Law.

Yassine Bekkouri
Partner – Africa Desk

Yassine Bekkouri is a distinguished dual-qualified attorney in New York and Morocco with extensive experience advising international clients on both transactional and litigation matters across Africa and the Middle East. Renowned for his strategic, results-driven counsel, he has built a strong reputation for handling high-stakes transactions, corporate governance, and complex dispute resolution.

With expertise spanning mining, real estate, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, banking, and technology, Yassine specializes in navigating the intricate legal landscapes of cross-border investments and multinational operations. While his primary focus is on Africa, Yassine also works closely with clients in the Middle East, providing tailored guidance to support their business and legal needs.

Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Yassine leverages his deep understanding of African and Middle Eastern legal systems to offer practical, actionable solutions to corporations, investors, and public entities. His ability to bridge diverse legal systems and cultural contexts ensures seamless collaboration and effective outcomes for his clients.

A seasoned legal professional with an unwavering commitment to excellence, Yassine combines technical precision, practical insights, and meticulous attention to detail to help clients achieve their business and legal objectives. Known for his pragmatic approach, he consistently delivers innovative and results-oriented solutions in complex regulatory and commercial environments.

Meet The Team

Mohamed Al Dafrawy

Of Counsel
Mohamed Al Dafrawy is a distinguished legal professional with over 55 years of expertise across diverse legal realms. Graduating in 1968, he built an illustrious career in Egypt before moving to Dubai in 2001. His extensive experience spans civil, commercial, and maritime law, highlighted by his pivotal role in a 1 billion-dirham fire insurance case for a prestigious hotel.

He's renowned for navigating complex disputes, especially in marine insurance concerning oil shipments. Joining NHB Legal Group in 2023, Mohamed fortified the firm's capabilities. His unwavering commitment to legal excellence and delivering favorable outcomes defines him as respected figure in the legal community.

Hassan Abdel Tawab

Senior Associate – Dispute Resolution

Hassan has been practicing law for 31 years. He brings an extensive level of experience to our litigation practice. He specializes in handling commercial and real estate disputes before the local courts across the UAE. The portfolio of clients he is responsible for includes several large family owned multi activity groups which include construction, automotive, and real estate businesses.

In addition, Hasan is also responsible for steering litigation for our clients from the insurance industry.

Ibrahim Salaheldin

Associate – Dispute Resolution & Advisory

Ibrahim is a highly-regarded associate with extensive experience aiming to propose optimal legal strategies with regard to client objectives, and best interests. His practice focuses on handling Civil, Labor, and Commercial disputes before the local courts across the UAE. His practice areas include compliance, procurement, human resources, and risk management. Ibrahim was involved in the first Social Impact Contracting (SIC) Project in the Gulf Cooperation Countries implemented in Abu Dhabi in 2020. While working on this project Ibrahim drafted a set of unique legal documents in relation to governance which were the foundation stone of the legal framework for the Social Impact Contracting system and its future projects within the private and public sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and UAE.

Mahmoud Shehab

Associate- Dispute Resolution

Mahmoud has been practicing law for 8 years. He specializes in handling insurance, criminal, commercial, and real estate disputes before the local courts across the UAE. Mahmoud has a particular interest in legal research and legal literature which provides him with a strong backbone to navigate the most complex legal and procedural issues in litigation.

The profile of clients he handles at the firm operates in the fields of real estate development, facility management, and property management. He is also active in representing clients with regard to white-collar crimes.

Moataz El Sharaky

Associate- Litigation
Moataz is a litigation associate with over 13 years of experience across the UAE and Egypt with a strong track record in handling complex legal matters in real estate, corporate law, and commercial litigation. His expertise extends to intellectual property, employment law, and arbitration. During his professional career, Moataz managed and led key cases, including high-stakes bankruptcy proceedings and multimillion-dollar disputes in the construction and oil & gas sectors.

Evelina Gurtskaya

Associate - Dispute Resolution

Evelina Gurtskaya is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team at NHB Legal. She has experience representing high-net-worth individuals and multinational corporations in complex, high-value disputes.

Evelina received her legal training and qualification in London, UK, where she gained valuable experience working with clients across various sectors and industries. She has a strong understanding of her clients' interests and how businesses operate. Prior to joining NHB Legal, she worked at a top 100 law firm in the UK, where she handled national and international corporate transactions, including venture capital and mergers and acquisitions.

Evelina has extensive international experience and is fluent in both English and Russian. She brings a unique perspective and cultural understanding to her work at NHB Legal.

Somya Priyadarshini

Senior Associate – Dispute Resolution

Somya is a dual-qualified lawyer licensed to practice in both India and New York, United States. She holds a Master's degree in International Arbitration from the University of Miami School of Law.

Somya has successfully handled a high volume of international arbitration cases with an impressive success rate. Her expertise spans diverse industries, and she is well-equipped to handle complex, high-stakes arbitration cases. She has represented clients in various dispute resolution forums, including ad-hoc arbitrations and arbitrations under the institutional rules of ICC, DIAC, SIAC, and LCIA. Her experience encompasses cases governed by English, UAE, Omani, Qatari, American, Caribbean and Indian law. Somya specializes in handling construction and infrastructure disputes, with experience in a wide range of projects, including hydro-power projects, luxury hotels, condominiums, residential townships, major airports, public stadiums, commercial building complexes, and restoration of national historical buildings.

With over 7 years of experience working in India, the US and the Middle East, Somya has developed a profound understanding of cultural distinctions and a solid background in dispute resolution, bringing invaluable skills and knowledge to the NHB Legal team.

Rahma Elkhashab - Associate

Rahma is a qualified lawyer in Egypt and a registered legal consultant in the Emirate of Dubai. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Ain Shams University class 2019, and a master’s degree in Private Law and International Trade Law in 2022, which has further enriched her expertise. Before joining NHB Legal, Rahma served as an associate at Matouk, Bassiouny & Hennawy Law Firm, where she gained substantial experience handling complex cases. She also completed internships at several top-tier law firms, further broadening her legal knowledge.
Rahma has extensive experience in managing a range of commercial disputes, including those involving commercial contracts, securities, financial institutions, fraud and misrepresentation, bankruptcy, enforcement, and shareholders' disputes. Her practice is characterized by a deep understanding of Arab Civil Law and Arbitration Law, with a focus on cases that have a strong cross-border dimension and significant reputational implications. During her university years, Rahma refined her advocacy skills through participation in multiple Moot Court Competitions, laying a solid foundation for her career in litigation and consultancy.”

Mirna Lakah

Associate- Advisory
Mirna boasts extensive transactional expertise across corporate, M&A, and real estate sectors, adeptly serving both Sellers and Buyers. Her focus lies in offering legal counsel on diverse corporate affairs such as capital raising, restructuring, and pre-contentious matters. Representing government entities, international corporations, and local businesses, Mirna's portfolio reflects her versatility and dedication. Previously, Mirna contributed to a prominent UK startup, aiding founders in capital raising and devising share option schemes. Her agile, client-centric approach ensures tailored legal solutions that align with business objectives. A member of the Egyptian Bar Association, Mirna holds an LLM in Banking and Finance Law from Queen Mary University of London, with fluency in English, French, and Arabic.

Bouchra Ezzekmi

Senior Associate –Dispute Resolution

Bouchra Ezzekmi, is a dynamic, result-focused, and trilingual (Arabic, English. French) Legal Consultant - Graduated in 2003, from the Faculty of Law of Algiers, sworn in and registered at the BAR Association of Algiers, Algeria, since 2005, she possesses 20 years of vast experience in all fields of the Law. Since her graduation, she worked as a Lawyer Trainee, and then a Sworn Lawyer at the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal in Algiers, Algeria.

In the UAE, in 2006, she joined the French Embassy, The French Trade Commission in Dubai, where she single-handedly established the Legal Affairs Department and was responsible for all the Legal and Regulatory Affairs of the Trade Commission, as well as, providing Legal Consultations to the French Companies establishing in the UAE.

In 2010, she moved to work with one of the largest law firms established in Dubai as a Legal Consultant specializing in Real Estate, Commercial, Civil Law, Contracting, Arbitration, Agreements, and Legal Consultations in all Fields.

Her passion for the Law is depicted by her integrity, dedication, attention to detail, and priority she provides to every client and case; as well as delivering the utmost favorable outcomes for the clients.

Dima A. Sarkis, MSc

Associate- Dispute Resolution

Dima is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer with a strong background in litigation. She has substantial experience in commercial transactions and contract drafting for local, regional, and international corporate groups. Dima is also a member of the firm's M&A team and handles private equity and venture capital transactions in Lebanon and the EMEA region. She holds an LLB and Master I from Filière Francophone de Droit (Lebanese University) and a Master II in Corporate Law from Université Aix-Marseille - Faculté de Droit. Additionally, she has certificates in International Criminal Law and Procedure and International Humanitarian Law. Dima is fluent in Arabic, French, and English, making her an ideal choice for international clients seeking legal assistance in Lebanon and the EMEA region.

William G. Melki, LLM

Of Counsel- Dispute Resolution

William is a skilled transactional lawyer who focuses on private equity transactions, venture capital deals, international real estate funds, and capital markets operations.

He represents a wide range of clients, including local and international corporate groups, startups, and individuals, often in greenfield projects and exotic first-of-a-kind transactions.

He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Lebanese American University (LAU) and teaches contracts, legal ethics, and investment funds. He holds an LLB from Université Saint Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon, and an L.LM from Boston University School of Law in Massachusetts. He has been a member of the Beirut Bar Association since 2011 and serves on the Banking and Financial law committee. He is fluent in Arabic, French, and English, making him a valuable asset to any legal team.

Nicolas G. Melki, LLM

Of Counsel Dispute Resolution

Nicolas is a corporate and commercial lawyer representing local and regional corporations as well as high-net-worth individuals in the Middle East and Europe. He is highly experienced in handling private equity and venture capital transactions and has in-house experience from working at Petrofac International.

His educational background includes a Certificate in Corporate Law and Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a graduate degree in Mediation from the University Saint Joseph, an LLB Bachelor of Law, and an LLM focused on Corporate Law from Duke University School of Law. He is admitted to the Beirut Bar Association and the New York Bar in 2015. He is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.

Mohamed Al Bastaki

Advocate

Al Bastaki highly skilled and experienced advocate with 12 years of practice in the legal field. He has a strong background in litigation and has successfully represented clients in a variety of cases, including civil, criminal, and commercial disputes. he has excellent communication and negotiation skills, and he is known for his ability to effectively advocate for the clients' rights and interests. In addition to his legal expertise, he is highly organized and detail-oriented, with a strong work ethic and a dedication to providing the highest quality of service to my clients. he is confident in his ability to handle complex and challenging legal matters, and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Meet The Partners

Elhassan Abdelrazek

Amal Albastaki

Tarik Nassar

Amr Bajamal

Elhassan Abdelrazek

Yassine Bekkouri Partner – Africa Desk

Meet The Team

GET IN TOUCH

Yassine Bekkouri
Partner – Africa Desk