UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – CCME announces shortlist for the 2013 Corporate Counsel Awards

LEGAL Week and the Corporate Counsel Middle East Group (CCME) unveiled the shortlist of in-house lawyers, legal departments and law firms nominated for the Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards 2013. The 15 awards recognise outstanding achievement by lawyers, legal departments and law firms across the Middle East region.The number of entries for this year’s awards has exceeded all expectations, up over 30% on last year. 

Shortlisted legal departments include DP World, The Emirates Group, Standard Chartered and Dell. Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance and Clyde & Co are among the law firms shortlisted for International Law Firm of the Year, while the Middle East Law Firm of the Year category features Al Tamimi & Company, Galadari & Associates, Habib Al Mulla, Hadef & Partners and KBH Kaanuun. 

The judging panel, chaired by CCME chairman Elias Hayek, is comprised of senior in-house lawyers and leading legal figures from the region and includes Anneliese Reinhold, general counsel and SVP legal & regulatory affairs, du, Khalid Khan, general counsel, Gulf Investment Corporation, and Mark Beer, registrar, DIFC Courts. 

The winners – including the recipient of a special achievement award chosen by the CCME – will be announced at a Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony in Dubai on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. 

Commenting on the shortlist, Hayek, vice president, legal, EAME division, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide said, ‘We were delighted by the number and quality of the entries for this year’s Awards and we were particularly impressed with the impetus given by the new innovation category. We have a list of fantastic finalists demonstrating the contribution of both general counsel and law firms to the improving economic environment across the Middle East.” 

Last year’s winners included Al Tamimi & Company (Middle East Law Firm of the Year), Clifford Chance (International Law Firm of the Year) and Al Tayer Group (Legal Department of the Year).