Profile
Nassif BouMalhab focuses on complex business disputes in the Middle East.
With over 20 years of experience, Nassif represents clients in international and domestic arbitration and mediation including under the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration), DIAC (Dubai International Arbitration Centre), ArbitrateAD (Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre), SCCA (Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration), AAA (American Arbitration Association), and UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission On International Trade Law) rules. He has advised investors on legal dispute resolution between investors and States under investment treaties, including under the arbitration rules of ICSID (the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes).
He has served as party counsel in more than 50 arbitration cases and assisted clients in hundreds of court proceedings before the courts of the United Arab Emirates, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts, and the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Courts (onshore).
In addition to his advocacy work, Nassif serves on arbitration tribunals for corporate and commercial disputes. He advises lawmakers on reforming international and domestic arbitration legislation and rules. Nassif is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre (TAHKEEM).
Nassif’s work has earned recognition from several legal directories. Who’s Who Legal (WWL) and Global Arbitration Review (GAR) named him among the Global Leaders in international arbitration in their 2023 report; The Legal 500 lists Nassif among its Hall of Fame lawyers in the United Arab Emirates for dispute resolution in arbitration and international litigation; and Asia Legal Business included him in their inaugural MENA Super 50 Lawyers list in 2021 and in their list for 2024. Chambers and Partners ranks Nassif in their Global Legal Guide for Dispute Resolution Middle East-wide; and Arabian Business acknowledged Nassif in its Legal Eagles list of practitioners making waves in Dubai (2021). He is a Who’s Who Legal, Recommended Lawyer in Hospitality Disputes, United Arab Emirates (2023).
Concentrations
- International arbitration and litigation
- Arbitration and mediation
- Litigation
- Commercial litigation
- Financial services litigation
- Hospitality
- Real estate
- Government contracts
- Fraud
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented a banking company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) stock exchange in real estate investment disputes in excess of US$500 million administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).°
- Represented a Dubai Financial Market (DFM) listed company in ADGM Courts proceedings alleging financial crimes in excess of US$150 million.°
- Represented a fuels supplier to the United States of America Department of Defence, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in arbitration proceedings claiming in excess of US$64 million administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).°
- Represented a fuels supply and transportation company in claims in excess of US$85 million in connection with the termination of a transport services agreement providing for arbitration under the DIAC Arbitration Rules 2007.°
- Defended a fuels supply and transportation company in arbitration claims in excess of US$35 million administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).°
- Represented a security management company in arbitration proceedings administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) against a provider of armed security services in areas of conflict, with claims in excess of US$180 million.°
- Represented a fuels supplier in Afghan Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACCI) administered mediation with a fuels transporter.°
- Represented the former managing partner of the Kuwait office of an international law firm in his claims against the firm under partnership and joint venture agreements subject to arbitration administered by the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).°
- Advised a Qatari bank on an inter-banking dispute before the Abu Dhabi Courts arising in relation to back-to-back bank guarantees and other security for payment.°
- Advised a leading publicly listed hospitality company in connection with disputes arising out of hotel management (and related) agreements and subject to arbitration administered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).°
- Defended a leading publicly listed hospitality company in connection with Dubai Court proceedings instituted by a sales and marketing representative for the Middle East claiming in excess of US$3.9 million.°
- As co-counsel, defended Canadian generic drug manufacturers in a CAD$3.9 billion class action claim before the Québec Courts (reported amongst the Big Deals in LEXPERT®, September 2008 edition; and in lesaffaires.com).°
- Represented a publicly listed steel company in precautionary attachment proceedings, freezing before judgment bank accounts, inventory and other assets in Dubai of a circa US$8 million trade debtor.°
- Defended a leading Middle East insurance company in Dubai Court proceedings arising in connection with advance payment guarantee and performance bond claims in excess of US$40 million.°
- Represented a multinational logistics company in connection with business crimes alleged to have been committed by a former director.°
- Represented one of the world’s top 10 transport and logistics companies in connection with employee fraud in the United Arab Emirates and India.°
- Advised one of the Big Four audit firms in connection with the alleged misconduct of a managing partner based in the Kingdom of Jordan.°
- Defended one of the Big Four audit firms in connection with alleged liability claims before the Dubai courts in connection with the audit of accounts of a business conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates.°
- Represented a military defense company in connection with business crimes.°
- Defended a Japanese automobile manufacturer in proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Courts in connection with claims by a former registered sales agent.°
- Represented a property developer in arbitration claims arising out of the off-plan sale and purchase of real estate in Dubai and obtaining judgments of the Dubai Court of Cassation annulling several arbitration awards (reported in Emirates 24/7; featured in Westlaw Gulf Update No. 9; and The Brief, May 2012 edition).°
- Advised Zurich Insurance Company Ltd in connection with its acquisition of Compagnie Libanaise d’Assurances SAL (also known as Lebanese Insurance Company).°
- Represented a London Stock Exchange (LSE) listed provider of diversified engineering and contracting services in connection with a shareholder dispute in a United Arab Emirates subsidiary.°
- Advised on a shareholder dispute in an insurance underwriting company established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).°
- Advised on a shareholder dispute in the context of provisional liquidation proceedings before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the High Court of Justice Commercial Division of the British Virgin Islands.°
- Assisting liquidators of a British Virgin Islands investment company in obtaining disclosure in Dubai of company records and bank statements further to a request for judicial assistance to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.°
- Defended a global petrochemical products company in Dubai Court proceedings arising out of the termination of agreements for the distribution of lubricants in Iraq.°
- Defended one of Russia's largest oil companies before the Dubai Courts in a commercial dispute of US$79 million arising out of the alleged wrongful termination of a lease.°
- Represented a reality show producer in court administered mediation with a provider of defective video recording equipment.°
- Advised a Middle East television network in connection with claims arising under a programme distribution agreement.°
- Represented an aircraft owner in precautionary attachment proceedings, freezing bank accounts and repossessing an aircraft located at Dubai International Airport (DXB) operated by a defaulting lessee.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. BouMalhab prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig Limited.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, Chambers Global Guide
- Dispute Resolution – Middle East-Wide, 2024
- Dispute Resolution – United Arab Emirates, 2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa, “Hall of Fame” lawyer in dispute resolution, United Arab Emirates, 2024
- Listed, Asia Legal Business, “MENA Super 50 Lawyers List,” Middle East and North Africa, 2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa, “Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution,” United Arab Emirates, 2023
- Listed, Who’s Who Legal and Global Arbitration Review, “Global Leader – International Arbitration,” 2023
- Listed, Who’s Who Legal, “Recommended Lawyer in Hospitality Disputes,” United Arab Emirates, 2023
- Listed, Arabian Business, “Legal Eagles,” 2021
- Organising Committee Member, Dubai Arbitration Week, 2021-Present
- Member, International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), 2019-Present
- Member, Executive Committee, Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre (TAHKEEM), 2017-Present
- Registered Practitioner, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, 2012-Present
- Member, Barreau du Québec (Québec Bar), 2003-Present
- Member, Canadian Bar Association, 2003-Present
Credentials
- LL.B., Common Law, with Honour, University of Ottawa, 2002
- LL.L., Civil Law, with Highest Honour, University of Ottawa, 2001
- Dubai Legal Consultant
- Québec, Canada
- Registered Foreign Lawyer, Solicitors Regulation Authority (England and Wales)
- English, Fluent
- French, Fluent
- Arabic, Conversational