Award Winners 2026

The winners were revealed at a memorable gala dinner on 24 September 2026, celebrating excellence at every level.

We are grateful to all participants whose entries showcased the depth of talent and innovation within the region’s legal sector.

AWARDS – INDIVIDUAL AND LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Umu Wurie

HONOURABLE MENTION: Noor Cozens

SENIOR ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Mohammed Al-Obaidi

HONOURABLE MENTION: Noor Sadiq

MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Khalifah Al-Yaqout 

HONOURABLE MENTION: Melissa Murray

HONOURABLE MENTION: Matthew Heywood

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – BAHRAIN

WINNER: Zeenat Al Mansoori & Associates

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – KUWAIT

WINNER: Al Tamimi & Company

HONOURABLE MENTION: YFLG - Al-Yaqout & Al-Fouzan Legal Group

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – OMAN

WINNER: Said Al Shahry & Partners (SASLO)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Bait Al-Qanoon

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – QATAR

WINNER: Crowell & Moring

HONOURABLE MENTION: K&L Gates

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – SAUDI ARABIA

WINNER: Clyde & Co

HONOURABLE MENTION: Baker McKenzie

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – UAE

WINNER: Baker McKenzie

HONOURABLE MENTION: Hadef & Partners

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – GCC

WINNER: Hadef & Partners

HONOURABLE MENTION: Al Tamimi & Company

AWARDS – PRIVATE PRACTICE

ARBITRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants

HONOURABLE MENTION: M&CO Legal

BANKING & FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Covington

HONOURABLE MENTION: Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP

BEST WORKPLACE FOR LAWYERS

WINNER: DWF Middle East

HONOURABLE MENTION: PwC Legal Middle East

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Al Tamimi & Company

HONOURABLE MENTION: Clyde & Co

CONSTRUCTION TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Trowers & Hamlins

HONOURABLE MENTION: Al Tamimi & Company

CORPORATE-COMMERCIAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Al Tamimi & Company

HONOURABLE MENTION: Covington

EMPLOYMENT TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Hadef & Partners

HONOURABLE MENTION: Clyde & Co

ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Mayer Brown

HONOURABLE MENTION: PwC Legal Middle East

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Bird & Bird

HONOURABLE MENTION: Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP

M&A Team of the Year

WINNER: Al Tamimi & Company

HONOURABLE MENTION: Hadef & Partners

MARITIME & TRANSPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Stephenson Harwood

HONOURABLE MENTION: Clyde & Co

REAL ESTATE TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants

HONOURABLE MENTION: Reed Smith

TAX TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Baker McKenzie

HONOURABLE MENTION: Al Tamimi & Company

TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA & TELECOM TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Baker McKenzie

HONOURABLE MENTION: PwC Legal Middle East

AWARDS – INHOUSE

AI LEGAL INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

WINNER: PwC Legal Middle East

HONOURABLE MENTION: Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP

ARBITRATOR OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Sally Kotb

HONOURABLE MENTION: Dr. Mahmood Hussain

GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR (SMALL TEAM)

WINNER: Tatiana Khoury

HONOURABLE MENTION: Afaq Sindhu

GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR (LARGE TEAM)

WINNER: Sai Sahasrabudhe Fiorilli

HONOURABLE MENTION: Sanaa Daakour

GOVERNMENT LAWYER OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Zoryana Vovchuk

HONOURABLE MENTION: Sultan Naser Alsowaidi

GOVERNMENT LEGAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation

IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR (SMALL TEAM)

WINNER: Arab Energy Fund

HONOURABLE MENTION: Sports City Enterprises (A subsidiary of Aspire Zone Foundation)

IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR (LARGE TEAM)

WINNER: Qatar National Bank

HONOURABLE MENTION: Alghanim Industries

LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Alan Edgar

HONOURABLE MENTION: Aliyah Al-Baz