4.9
Google rating
25+
Lawyers
4,500+
Matters handled
DIAC · ICC · LCIA

Lawyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Kayrouz & Associates handles the licensing, compliance and corporate work that keeps companies running, and the disputes and arbitration when matters escalate. Offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Beirut, since 2006.

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Pierre Kayrouz
Founder and CEO
consults in 5 areas of law
Maria Valeyeva
Partner and Managing Director
Maria Valeyeva
Patricia Abi Mansour
Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Business Development
consults in 3 areas of law
Mark Engelman
Intellectual Property Barrister
consults in 3 areas of law
Professor Mark Engelman
Georges Touma
Head Litigator
consults in 5 areas of law
Carlos Rahme
Senior Legal Consultant
consults in 5 areas of law
Carlos Rahme
Souhad Al Ghorayeb
Senior Legal Consultant
consults in 5 areas of law
Souhad Al Ghorayeb
Sandy Geagea
Legal Consultant
consults in 5 areas of law
Sandy Y. Geagea
Rita Semaan
Legal Consultant
consults in 4 areas of law
Rita Semaan
Jenifer Abu Nasr
Junior Legal Counsel
consults in 3 areas of law
Jenifer Abu Nasr
Muhammed Ali Charif
Junior Legal Counsel
consults in 3 areas of law
Muhammed Ali Charif
Saeed Gaber
Head of Execution Department
consults in 6 areas of law
Abdelrahman Elshawadfy
Legal Execution Officer
consults in 5 areas of law
Marium Razzaq
Solicitor
consults in 3 areas of law
Lathamani Chandrashekar
Head of Corporate Department
consults in 2 areas of law
Lathamani Chandrashekar
Roshanraj Seetahul
Senior Corporate Counsel
Priya Bavanasi
Senior Corporate Lawyer
consults in 4 areas of law
Göksu Öznergiz
Junior Corporate Counsel
consults in 3 areas of law
Nashita Nazneen
Senior Corporate Counsel
consults in 3 areas of law
Nashita Nazneen
Daniela Lano
Client Relations Executive (Italian)
Parvathy Pavithran
HR and Document Controller
Rumysa Ali
Personal Assistant

How we think

September 28, 2026

Delivery Without the Original Bill of Lading: Carrier Liability and Exporter Remedies in the UAE

Cargo released without the original bill of lading can leave exporters unpaid and without the goods. We explain carrier liability under UAE Maritime Law, the effect of letters of indemnity, the one-year time bar and the remedies available to exporters, banks and cargo insurers.
Read more
September 28, 2026

Recovering Legal Costs in UAE Arbitration: Rules, Case Law, and Clause Drafting

A tribunal seated onshore in the UAE cannot award the winning party its legal fees unless the institutional rules or the arbitration clause confer that power. The Dubai Court of Cassation annulled a costs award in February 2024 and reversed itself nine months later, leaving the clause and the seat as the two things that decide the outcome.
Read more

About Us

A UAE law firm in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Kayrouz & Associates is a UAE law firm founded in 2006 by Pierre Kayrouz. Our lawyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi act for companies, founders, family offices and private clients across the Emirates, with further offices in Sharjah and Beirut.

The firm practises through two entities that work as one team. Kayrouz & Associates is the legal consultancy, advising on transactions, contracts, structuring and compliance. Noorhan Abdullatif Alzaabi Lawyers & Advocates is our advocacy firm, registered with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department. Under UAE law, only licensed advocates can represent clients before the onshore courts, and its advocates do that for our clients.

The firm covers 9 practice areas, from arbitration and construction through to corporate and commercial, criminal, employment, family, intellectual property, litigation and real estate. Through Noorhan Abdullatif Alzaabi, we appear before the onshore UAE courts. We also act before the DIFC and ADGM courts, and before arbitral tribunals under DIAC, ICC and LCIA rules.

Clients come to us for two kinds of work. The first is the corporate, licensing and compliance work that keeps a business operating within UAE law. The second is the dispute, once a contract, a regulator or a counterparty forces the issue. A client who instructs us on a contract does not need new counsel if that contract ends in onshore court proceedings.
Learn more about us

Practice Areas

Expertise
Legal practice areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The firm covers nine practice areas across the UAE. Each is led by lawyers who appear on these matters before the relevant court, tribunal or regulator.

Our expertise
our people

Our lawyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Kayrouz & Associates is a UAE firm of lawyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with a Beirut office, known for sharp thinking and efficient execution.

From corporate and real estate to family and criminal matters, our 25+ team operates across 9 practice areas, combining courtroom skill and deal experience to help clients move with confidence across the region.
find people
Portrait of Pierre Kayrouz, Chief Legal Officer at Kayrouz & Associates, expert in litigation and arbitration

Pierre Kayrouz

Founder and CEO

Professional headshot of Maria Valeyeva, Chief Compliance Officer, specializing in regulatory compliance and office management

Maria Valeyeva

Partner and Managing Director

Headshot of Georges Touma, Head Litigator with expertise in civil, commercial, and real estate litigation

Georges Touma

Head Litigator

Portrait of Lathamani Chandrashekar, senior corporate counsel with over 14 years of experience advising clients in corporate and commercial law, arbitration, international trade, and sports law.

Lathamani Chandrashekar

Head of Corporate Department

Photo of Nashita Nazneen A., Junior Corporate Counsel with a strong academic background and litigation training

Nashita Nazneen

Senior Corporate Counsel

Portrait of Professor Mark Engelman, UK barrister specializing in intellectual property, media, defamation, and commercial law

Mark Engelman

Intellectual Property Barrister

Image of Rita Semaan, Legal Consultant with experience in civil, criminal, and employment law

Rita Semaan

Legal Consultant

Portrait of Carlos Rahme, Senior Legal Consultant with more than 15 years of experience in corporate, civil, and labor law

Carlos Rahme

Senior Legal Consultant

Portrait of Souhad Al Ghorayeb, Senior Legal Consultant specializing in corporate structuring and bankruptcy law

Souhad Al Ghorayeb

Senior Legal Consultant

Photo of Sandy Y. Geagea, Legal Consultant with cross-border litigation and mediation experience

Sandy Geagea

Legal Consultant

Portrait of Saeed Gaber, Legal Research Analyst experienced in civil and criminal law in Egypt and the UAE

Saeed Gaber

Head of Execution Department

Portrait of Muhammed Ali Charif, a professional male litigator with a composed expression, dressed in formal business attire, photographed against a neutral background.

Muhammed Ali Charif

Junior Legal Counsel

Image of Jenifer Abu Nasr, Paralegal and international dispute resolution specialist

Jenifer Abu Nasr

Paralegal

Professional photo of Patricia Abi Mansour, Business Development Manager with a legal background and marketing expertise

Patricia Abi Mansour

CCO and Director of Business Development

Portrait of Pierre Kayrouz, Chief Legal Officer at Kayrouz & Associates, expert in litigation and arbitration

Pierre Kayrouz

Founder and CEO

Professional headshot of Maria Valeyeva, Chief Compliance Officer, specializing in regulatory compliance and office management

Maria Valeyeva

Partner and Managing Director

Headshot of Georges Touma, Head Litigator with expertise in civil, commercial, and real estate litigation

Georges Touma

Head Litigator

Portrait of Lathamani Chandrashekar, senior corporate counsel with over 14 years of experience advising clients in corporate and commercial law, arbitration, international trade, and sports law.

Lathamani Chandrashekar

Head of Corporate Department

Photo of Nashita Nazneen A., Junior Corporate Counsel with a strong academic background and litigation training

Nashita Nazneen

Senior Corporate Counsel

Portrait of Professor Mark Engelman, UK barrister specializing in intellectual property, media, defamation, and commercial law

Mark Engelman

Intellectual Property Barrister

Image of Rita Semaan, Legal Consultant with experience in civil, criminal, and employment law

Rita Semaan

Legal Consultant

Portrait of Carlos Rahme, Senior Legal Consultant with more than 15 years of experience in corporate, civil, and labor law

Carlos Rahme

Senior Legal Consultant

Portrait of Souhad Al Ghorayeb, Senior Legal Consultant specializing in corporate structuring and bankruptcy law

Souhad Al Ghorayeb

Senior Legal Consultant

Photo of Sandy Y. Geagea, Legal Consultant with cross-border litigation and mediation experience

Sandy Geagea

Legal Consultant

Portrait of Saeed Gaber, Legal Research Analyst experienced in civil and criminal law in Egypt and the UAE

Saeed Gaber

Head of Execution Department

Portrait of Muhammed Ali Charif, a professional male litigator with a composed expression, dressed in formal business attire, photographed against a neutral background.

Muhammed Ali Charif

Junior Legal Counsel

Image of Jenifer Abu Nasr, Paralegal and international dispute resolution specialist

Jenifer Abu Nasr

Paralegal

Professional photo of Patricia Abi Mansour, Business Development Manager with a legal background and marketing expertise

Patricia Abi Mansour

CCO and Director of Business Development

4,500+

Matters handled

25+

Full-time lawyers & consultants

96%

Client satisfaction rate

16

Average lawyer PQE

HERE TO HELP
Guiding you with clear legal solutions to protect your rights and interests.

testimonials

I've worked with Pierre and Kayrouz & Associates on several occasions and have always appreciated their clear, prompt, and reliable legal advice. Pierre combines legal expertise with an understanding of broader financial and cultural factors, which made me feel supported and in capable hands during difficult times.
Edward Jones
Owner of Fitness Zone DMCC
testimonials
Polite and highly professional. Thoughtful, experienced and extremely knowledgable. I am very happy with Mr. Kayrouz as he represented me with nothing but respect, compassion and some of the best help I have ever had!
Ziad El Kasir
Battle Park Owner
testimonials
Pierre Kayrouz was respectful, thoughtful, and highly professional throughout the process. His calm, knowledgeable approach gave me great confidence and peace of mind. I felt genuinely heard and supported every step of the way.
Rene Stephen
testimonials
It’s always great to see that people are interested to know how their business is perceived by clients. I’ve been really impressed with how your company has handled this particular piece of work. Hopefully we can work together in the future. Thanks again.
Mr. Tom
testimonials
The support, professionalism, and dedication this firm provided during one of the most challenging periods our family has faced was exceptional. They combined outstanding legal expertise with real compassion, integrity, and care, and the communication throughout was thoughtful and reassuring. We are deeply grateful for the time and commitment they invested in achieving a successful outcome and helping our family move forward.
Parent of a client

Legal insights on UAE law

Litigation and dispute resolution

Delivery Without the Original Bill of Lading: Carrier Liability and Exporter Remedies in the UAE

Cargo released without the original bill of lading can leave exporters unpaid and without the goods. We explain carrier liability under UAE Maritime Law, the effect of letters of indemnity, the one-year time bar and the remedies available to exporters, banks and cargo insurers.

read article
September 28, 2026
Arbitration

Recovering Legal Costs in UAE Arbitration: Rules, Case Law, and Clause Drafting

A tribunal seated onshore in the UAE cannot award the winning party its legal fees unless the institutional rules or the arbitration clause confer that power. The Dubai Court of Cassation annulled a costs award in February 2024 and reversed itself nine months later, leaving the clause and the seat as the two things that decide the outcome.

read article
September 28, 2026
Litigation and dispute resolution

Immediate Judgment in the DIFC Courts: Can You Win a Claim Without a Trial?

Part 24 of the Rules of the DIFC Courts lets a judge decide a claim, part of a claim or a single issue without a trial, where the other side has no real prospect of success. A five-judge Court of Appeal applied it in 2025 to a dispute that turned on one email, while a second 2025 decision refused it because the issues depended on conduct and causation.

read article
September 28, 2026
View all news and insights

Our offices in the UAE and Lebanon

Dubai, UAE

Address: Business Bay, Empire Heights, block B, office 1604, 1605

PO Box: 415048

Opening hours:
‍

Mon-Thu: 9am-5pm
Fri: 9am-12pm

Sharjah, UAE

Address: Sharjah Media City (SHAMS), Al Messaned, Sharjah, UAE

Opening hours:
‍

By appointment only.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Address: Electra Street, Al Mazrooei building, 9th floor, office 903

PO Box: 62829

Opening hours:
‍

Mon-Thu: 9am-5pm
Fri: 9am-12pm

Beirut, Lebanon

Address: Miziara Centre, above Sea Sweet, Block C, 4th floor

Opening hours:
‍

Mon-Thu: 9am-5pm
Fri: 9am-12pm

Email: [email protected]