Elias Safi, Senior Legal Counsel

Elias Safi

Senior Legal Counsel

International Law Group

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Master's degree, LLM International Law (concentration in Commercial, Business &Trade).
Experience
15 years, 2 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :15 years, 2 Months

Senior Legal Counsel at International Law Group
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • My current job since January 2023

• Industries scope of experience: Hospitality, Banking, Real estate, Construction, Retail, Properties, Agriculture, FMCG, Agriculture, Automotive, and Marine
• Drafting, reviewing, and advising on a variety of industries with respect to their legal documents including but not limited to: memorandum of understanding, power of attorneys, joint venture agreements, non disclosure agreements, memorandum of association, franchise agreements, development contracts, trade licensing agreements, management agreements, services agreement, referral agreements, sales purchase agreements, termination agreements, mergers and acquisitions(M&A), variation agreements, commercial lease agreements, residential lease agreements, ofice lease agreements, operating lease agreements, lease to own agreements, on call limousine agreements, partnership agreements(PPP, BOT, BOOT), vendor contract, purchase agreement, culinary F&B, intellectual property agreements (Trips), FMCG(CISG), construction agreements FIDIC, recruitment agreements, marketing agreements, web sites creation agreements, minutes of meetings for general assemblies, letter of award, letter of intent, tender documents, company policies.
• Review, draft, and negotiate various types of commercial contracts with respect to diferent types of industries.
• Liaising with diferent business units within the company and their respective procurement, operational, financial, and IT/ISD departments for finalizing diferent types of agreements.
• Advice on regulatory and corporate governance matters.
• Consult and co-ordinate with external legal counsels.
• Corporate law (Providing legal advice for companies, corporations and incorporating companies.)
• Drafting and reviewing due diligence reports on potential acquisitions.
• Contribute to developing legal strategies and objectives including exit strategies where appropriate, so as to optimize companys position and prospects for successful outcomes.
• Examining and creating draft agreements and drafting of contract templates in order to enhance the contractual process.
• As required, assist contracts & procurement departments on behalf of clients in the preparation and negotiation of tender contracts and support during the tendering process.
• Ensuring that proper insurance policies are in place with respect to the respective type of agreements.

Regional Legal Advisor at Al FARDAN GROUP
  • Qatar - Doha
  • May 2021 to March 2023

• Industries scope of experience: Hospitality, Automotive, FMCG, Investment, Properties, Real Estate, Medical, Exchange and Marine.(Qatar, Turkey, Oman)
• Drafting, reviewing, and advising on a variety of legal documents including but not limited to: memorandum of understanding, power of attorneys, joint venture agreements, non disclosure agreements, memorandum of association, article of associations, franchise agreements, trade licensing agreements, management agreements, services agreement, referral agreements, agency agreements, sales purchase agreements, termination agreements, variation agreements, commercial lease agreements, residential lease agreements, ofice lease agreements, operating lease agreements, lease to own agreements, on call limousine agreements, partnership agreements, vendor contract, purchase agreement, culinary F&B, intellectual property agreements (Trips), FMCG(CISG), distributorship agreements, recruitment agreements, marketing agreements, web sites creation agreements, integrated project delivery contract, lump sum contract, design and build contract, FIDIC red and yellow books, minutes of meetings for general assemblies, letter of award, letter of intent, tender documents, company policies.
• Review, draft, and negotiate commercial contracts.
• Mitigating legal and commercial risks.
• Liaise with diferent business units within the group and their respective procurement, operational, financial, and IT/ISD departments for finalizing diferent types of agreements.
• Advice on regulatory and corporate governance matters.
• Consult and co-ordinate with external legal counsels.
• Corporate law (Providing legal advice for companies, corporations and incorporating companies.)
• Resolve any disputes which comes up and identifying areas for improvement in companys contracting processes.
• Drafting and reviewing due diligence reports on potential acquisitions.
• Determine appropriate defense, prevention and strategic measures to resolve disputes and defend companys legal position.
• Contribute to developing legal strategies and objectives including exit strategies where appropriate, so as to optimize companys position and prospects for successful outcomes.
• Provide accurate briefing to outside lawyers on assigned legal issues to monitor and supervise the work done by outside lawyers (litigation and arbitration).
• Examining and creating draft agreements and drafting of contract templates in order to enhance the contractual process.
• As required, assist contracts & procurement in the preparation and negotiation of contracts with outside parties in order to safeguard companys legal position and minimize risk.
• Ensuring that proper insurance policies are in place with respect to the respective type of agreements.
• Contributing to develop human resources policies in compliance with the local implemented labor laws.
• Identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate and manage such risks

Legal Counsel (Partner) at Kanaan Law Firm.
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • December 2008 to January 2021

• Solving and settling dispute arising from interpretation, implementation, or termination of agreements and contracts via conciliation, litigation, and arbitration by generating the respective legal notices or initiating proceedings.
• Manage all phases of the litigation from investigation, pleadings, and discovery through the pre-trial, trial, settlement, and appeal processes.
• Provide legal advice on new business opportunities, investments, M&A, strategic partnerships and joint ventures, and divestments.
• Optimize legal structure of new acquisitions to protect financial assets and limit liability exposure.
• Reviewing and drafting agreements relating to: unit sale and purchase, settlements, consultancy, real estate and contracting, brokerage, transfers of units, facilities management.
• Drafting undertakings and waiver of sales to reflect special arrangements to provide end-users with an easy payment plan.
• Setting up and incorporating diferent kind of legal entities (LLC, Joint Stock, Holding, Ofshore, etc.) including:
• Reviewing and drafting the relevant memorandum and articles of association/shareholders agreements.
• Reviewing and drafting all related licenses agreements, use of know-how and technology transfer agreements.
• Manage M&A legal due diligence and documentation.
• Provide high quality review, analysis, negotiation and drafting of contracts.
• Identify issues and determines when the escalation procedure should be initiated.
• Drafting legal documents, agreements & providing legal opinions.
• Providing high-level legal support for dispute management and dispute resolution through legal recommendations to secure the companys legal position.
• Supervise legal review and drafting of complex contracts for management approval and execution.
• Conducting meetings and legal briefing with senior counsels with reference to legal issues.
• Responsible for drafting, finalizing agreements and commercial contracts.
• Drafting memorandum of understanding, joint venture agreements, business agreements, franchise agreements, partnership deeds etc.
• Knowledge in FIDIC red and yellow books, conditions of contract for construction and claims management.
• Knowledge in CISG(contract for international sales of goods) convention, sales contract, letter of credit, letter of inquiry, insurance certificate, bill of lading, purchase orders, and diferent types of inco-terms such as FOB(free on board), CIF (carriage insurance and freight), C&F(carriage and freight), forward contracts.

Education

Master's degree, LLM International Law (concentration in Commercial, Business &Trade).
  • at DePaul University
  • June 2021
Diploma, Mediation
  • at Beirut Bar Association, AIA and IATC
  • January 2016
Bachelor's degree, BA in Private Law.
  • at Holy Spirit University
  • June 2008

Specialties & Skills

Contract Drafting
Complex Litigation
Legal Advice
Commercial Law
Transactional Matters
Trade License Agreement
Distributorship Agreements
Transactional Lawyer
Strategic thinking
Merge and Aquisitions
Legal Advice
Litigation Management
Drafting Agreements
Supply Agreements
Corporate Law
Commercial Law

Languages

Arabic
Expert
English
Expert
French
Expert

Memberships

Beirut Bar Association
  • Attorney At Law
  • November 2008

Training and Certifications

Red Cross Rescuer (Certificate)
Date Attended:
January 2006
Mediation (Certificate)
Date Attended:
January 2016

Hobbies

  • Swimming