Corporate & Commercial

“Khasawneh & Associates Legal Consultants has a fine commercial-oriented practice, with a client base that includes Tyco and Microsoft. Partners Nasser Ali Khasawneh and Nayiri Boghossian are former in-house counsel at Microsoft and Nestlé respectively.” Legal 500, 2007

The Corporate & Commercial team is headed by Nasser Ali Khasawneh and it covers various areas of corporate and commercial law. We have advised and worked on commercial agency and distributorship arrangements, shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, corporate restructurings, anti-trust and competition, incorporation of various types of companies, and company secretarial work.

Intellectual Property

“The [Intellectual Property department of Khasawneh & Associates] has a mighty client portfolio of major multinationals and tends to carry out enforcement work on behalf of multinationals throughout the United Arab Emirates and Middle East. It was recently appointed by a leading tobacco company to handle its regional work. Microsoft, Electronic Arts and Nestlé are noteworthy clients.” Legal 500, 2007

The Intellectual Property department is headed by Nayiri Boghossian and it handles a wide array of issues relating to trademarks, copyright, patents and designs. The firm has represented and assisted clients with the enforcement of their rights in trademark and copyright infringement cases and provides consultation on portfolio management, implementation of internal policies for the protection of intellectual property. We also conduct internal training sessions and workshops for employees of corporate clients.

Various clients, including leading intellectual property associations and multinationals, have relied on the firm to manage their legal awareness campaigns in region. In addition, the firm has conducted and participated in a multitude of seminars for government agencies in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, Kuwait and other countries in the Middle East.

Khasawneh & Associates has a high profile amongst the intellectual property community in the Middle East. Some examples of the firm's involvement in this area are set out below:

1. The firm is member of the Brand Protection Group, an association that was formed to combat the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit products in the GCC countries.

2. Partners Nayiri Boghossian and Nasser Ali Khasawneh are panelists for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration & Meditation Centre.

3. The firm co-led the Arab IP Forum in January 2008 alongside WIPO and the UAE Ministry of Economy.

4. The firm was highly involved in the establishment of the Arab Intellectual Property Centre, an online centre that was created by the Intellectual Property League of Arab States in conjunction with the firm and Microsoft with the aim of providing a centralised database of intellectual property registration and case law in the region.


Banking & Finance

“Khasawneh & Associates Legal Consultants name partner Nasser Ali Khasawneh has developed a greater emphasis on Islamic finance products, often working as local counsel alongside leading US firms. He has recently worked on a sizeable sukuk issuance and advised a US investment house on establishing a shari’ah-compliant fund.” Legal 500, 2007

The firm has provided opinions to some of the world’s leading banks and financial institutions. The firm has examined issues relating to various transactions involving securities, sale of notes, funds management, financial advisory services and other financial regulatory matters, both in mainland United Arab Emirates and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The firm has worked in collobaration with Vinson & Elkins on the USD 100 million Musharaka Sukuk Issuance by Al Thani Group which won the 2008 award for Best Sukuk Structure by a Private Corporate Issuer award at the Second Annual London Sukuk Summit Awards of Excellence.

Information Technology, Media & Telecommunications

In the field of information technology, Khasawneh & Associates offers advice on technology contracts for customers and vendors and has particular expertise in contracts that include supply of hardware and software, turn-key and operations and maintenance (O&M) systems. We also advise on legal issues surrounding software licensing, data protection, e-commerce, computer crime and online security.

In the field of media and telecommunications, the firm offers legal services in relation to permits and licenses, as well as other governmental and legal requirements. We also have considerable know-how in the area of telecommunications regulation, especially concerning access, interconnection, licensing, numbering, spectrum and tariffs.

Employment

Khasawneh & Associates has worked on various employment matters, such as employment termination disputes, drafting of employment contracts, enforcement of non-competition clauses, and other issues related to employment and the UAE labour law.

Real Estate & Construction

Khasawneh & Associates has a significant practice in relation to real estate and construction. The firm’s clients include top real estate developers in Dubai, and the firm has advised on major construction projects.

The firm has worked on various real estate and construction matters including property disputes, sale and purchase of real estate, and the drafting of subcontracting and construction agreements.

Arbitration & Litigation

Khasawneh & Associates manages litigation for its clients, including cases involving intellectual property rights, labour law disputes, agency termination, and various civil and commercial matters.

The firm has worked on and/or assisted with a number of arbitration disputes involving clients from the real estate, construction and hospitality sectors.