MHLF strengthens its presence in Dubai

Mahmood Hussain Law Firm (MHLF) has announced the promotion of Kushagra Ashok Arora to the position of partner as of January 2018. Arora first joined MHLF in 2013 as associate partner. Since his introduction in MHLF, and over the course of mere four years, Arora has carved a niche practice, consisting of public listed companies, renowned real estate developers and food and beverage groups, ultrahigh net worth investors, family-owned business houses and limited liability companies, mostly having global presence. Further, owing to his 10 years of experience as an ace disputes lawyer in United Arab Emirates and India, Arora is well-equipped with the ability to meticulously appreciate relevance of sensitive moot points, which in turn enables him to be at an advantageous position to strategise and seamlessly negotiate a fair and profitable resolution for the firm’s niche clients.

Kokila Alagh, managing partner of the firm said, “We are pleased to announce the promotion of our designate partner, Kushagra Ashok Arora to the position of partner in Mahmood Hussain Law Firm. He has been with MHLF since 2013. The promotion recognises his insightful and continuous input towards MHLF’s growth from a small to a mid-sized law firm”.

The firm also appointed Ziad Mouallem as partner in the international arbitration practice operating from Dubai. He is a senior litigator specialized in multiple forms of dispute resolution, with a particular focus on international arbitration, enforcement and cross-border disputes. He regularly advises major companies throughout the MENA region and abroad across a broad spectrum of areas, mainly in relation to ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, ADCCAC, QICCA, CRCICA, LAC, UNCITRAL and ICSID arbitration rules. His private practice and previous in-house experience covers litigation and pre-contentious work for sectors such as commercial, corporate, investment, banking & finance, M&A, international contracts, real estate, BITs, concessions, insolvency, business crime, IP, construction (FIDIC), commodities, distribution and general trading among several others.

Mouallem’s recent work highlights include concluding a DIAC breach of contract case between an Iraqi-based multinational group and an Indian corporation under English and Indian Laws; concluding an international trade arbitration case between a Kuwait-based international group and a South African company under the English Sale of Goods Act and FOB Incoterms ; representing a regional contractor regarding an ICC-FIDIC construction claim conducted in the UAE ; and advising on a DIFC-LCIA corporate arbitration dispute between international investors.

Mahmood Hussain, founding partner of MHLF said, “We are delighted to have Mouallem join our team.  He has practiced throughout the Gulf region for more than a decade, both with leading regional legal 500 law firms and also in-house with a major Abu Dhabi investment company where he was GC and Head of Litigation, and advised regional merchant families, HNW individuals, family offices and institutional clients”.

Further, the firm has announced the addition of partner Gloria Estolano, as employment specialist of the firm. Prior to moving to the Middle East, Estolano was a civil rights lawyer at the US Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights-SF, CA. Estolano has worked at the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Estolano advises private and corporate clients on the UAE Labour Law as well providing Employment Law advice to clients in the DIFC. She works with onshore as well as with offshore (free zone) companies and individual clients addressing their employment concerns.  Estolano assists in-house counsels and human resource managers in reviewing HR management consultancy issues including reviewing and updating HR company handbooks, policy and procedures for their legal compliance and effectiveness and providing exit strategy counsel on all employment issues.

Mahmood Hussain, founding partner of MHLF said, “I am honoured to welcome Estolano to the firm. Along with the rest of the partners, we recognise her distinctive contributions towards the growth and development of the firm and we know that this association will contribute towards the advancement and prosperity of MHLF, as it grows further.”