UAE’s lawyers honoured by popular vote

The Annual Legal Gala 2015 was held on October 29, 2015 under the auspices of the Academy of Law for the DIFC, an independent entity that provides quality services to the UAE legal community designed to promote the development of the rule of law, the legal system, and the professional community.

The UAE’s legal community gathered in Dubai to celebrate the profession’s individual and collective achievements over the past year.

The 2015 Legal Gala, which is held annually, was supported this year by Headline Sponsor Emirates Airline, who also served as the Official Airline of the event. Live voting for the coveted ‘Young Lawyer of the Year’ and ‘Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Year’ awards, using a real-time voting app sponsored by SAS Asset Recovery, was won by Shiraz Sethi of Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP and Bushra Ahmed of KBH Kaanuun, respectively.

 In recognition of their support for the Academy of Law Pro Bono Programme at case representation level and for their frequent involvement at clinics, Al Suwaidi Advocates & Legal Consultants was named ‘Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year’, and  Sharon Lakhan at Global Advocates and Mike Wakefield at Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants were named ‘Pro Bono Individuals of the Year’.

Sheila Shadmand, Chairing the Legal Gala Committee, said, “Put on by lawyers for lawyers, the Annual Legal Gala has become a highlight of the UAE’s legal calendar, giving practitioners a welcome opportunity to socialise, share knowledge, and celebrate the outstanding work that has helped increase access to justice in the country. We congratulate all the evening’s winners and thank them for their significant contributions to the UAE legal community over the last year."

David Gallo, Director of the Academy of Law for the DIFC, said, “Through events such as the Annual Legal Gala, the Academy of Law is helping to bring together members of the UAE legal profession to share knowledge and experience for the collective benefit of the country. We look forward to building on the momentum generated by the 2015 Legal Gala through the series of events we have planned for the remainder of the year and into 2016.”  

Clockwise from top: Al Suwaidi Advocates & Legal Consultants, Bushra Ahmed, Mike Wakefield, Sharon Lakhan and Shiraz Sethi