Badran Elamine
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Summary
Seasoned legal professional with over 15 years of extensive legal and compliance experience across the United Arab Emirates, the GCC and Emerging Markets, including approximately seven years in senior leadership and department-head roles within international organisations. UK-educated with an Upper Second-Class Honours degree and currently completing an LL.M. in International Corporate & Commercial Law at King’s College London. Known for driving excellence, strong governance, and regulatory rigour while leading teams with professionalism, integrity, and respect at all levels. Now seeking to make a continued and meaningful contribution as part of a legal leadership team in the UAE or Emerging Markets.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work history
Regional Legal Manager and Compliance Lead (MEIT)
Richemont FZE
Dubai , UAE
11.2022 - Current
- Reviewed, drafted and negotiated various commercial contracts to protect company interests.
- Streamlined and automated process and of contract approval, reduced legal risks.
- Participated in negotiations with suppliers and partners, secured favourable terms.
- Achieved effective dispute resolution by mediating in business disputes.
- Assessed and supported litigation requests according to strategic priorities.
- Coordinated with management team to align legal strategies with company objectives.
- Established and led compliance departments from ground up across UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, and South Africa;
- Developed, implemented, and maintained AML/CTF, gifts and hospitality, antitrust/competition law, and data privacy compliance policies; and designed and rolled out regional dawn raid response manual.
- Designed and delivered in-person and virtual Legal and Compliance training programmes across UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, and South Africa, covering AML/CTF, gifts and hospitality, antitrust/competition law, data privacy, whistleblowing, and dawn raid response, for senior management and operational teams.
- Implemented, managed, and maintained regional whistleblowing and speak-up programmes across UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, and South Africa, including policy development, reporting channels, case management, investigation oversight, and regulatory-compliant escalation and remediation processes.
- Managed team of junior Compliance officers, fostered professional development.
- Provided legal and compliance support during governmental, regulatory, and internal audits across UAE, KSA, Turkey, South Africa, and India, resulting in successful audit outcomes and sustained regulatory compliance.
- Prepared comprehensive reports on ongoing cases for senior management review.
SENIOR MANAGER LEGAL & COMPLIANCE (EM)
adidas Emerging Markets LLC
Dubai , UAE
06.2015 - 11.2022
- Led strategic planning meetings, resulting in clear business objectives.
- Enabled and supported provision of legal services (including litigation) and compliance requirements across GCC, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, and 23 other countries in Emerging Markets generally.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated wide range of commercial contracts, including wholesale, franchise, distribution, lease, supplier, sports marketing, and e-commerce agreements, working closely with relevant business stakeholders to protect interests of adidas.
- Supported promotion and embedding of ethics and compliance culture, ensuring effective communication, education, training, and implementation of compliance programme.
- Successfully incorporated and liquidated 3 adidas legal entities and offices within MEA region, managing all corporate, regulatory, and governance requirements.
- Successfully implemented legal services automation initiatives, streamlining workflows, improving turnaround times, and enhancing efficiency and scalability of legal service delivery across region
- Maintained, enhanced, and regularly updated adidas whistleblowing hotline overseeing case intake, triage, investigation coordination, and closure in line with local legal and data-protection requirements.
LEGAL ASSOCIATE
Hadef and Partners
Abu Dhabi, UAE
08.2011 - 06.2015
- Advised clients on trademark registration matters, supporting successful filing and protection of multiple trademarks across various classes in UAE.
- Advised clients on company formation, liquidation, and corporate amendments in both free zone and non-free zone jurisdictions, supporting incorporation and restructuring of entities.
- Drafted and negotiated corporate and commercial contracts and agreements, supporting client transactions and ongoing business operations across multiple sectors.
- Assisted in drafting and review of laws, regulations, and legal provisions, contributing to legislative and regulatory development initiatives.
- Advised clients on broad range of UAE legal matters, providing practical, solution-oriented guidance to support business objectives.
- Assisted with legal due diligence exercises, reviewing and summarising large volumes of corporate and transactional documents to support investment, acquisition, and restructuring decisions.
- Assisted with translation of urgent legal documents, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery to meet client and regulatory deadlines
LEGAL RESEARCHER (CONSULTATION, LITIGATION & ARBIT
Deaifis Advocates and Legal Consultants
Sharjah , UAE
09.2010 - 08.2011
- Met with clients to identify and assess their legal needs and objectives.
- Created and maintained client files, ensuring all activities were structured within appropriate legal framework.
- Handled employment law and end-of-service gratuity matters, providing legal advice and practical solutions.
- Managed all aspects of company establishment and liquidation, including changes to legal status, share transfers, partner entry and exit, and increases or decreases of company capital.
- Advised and acted for high-profile clients, including members of royal families.
- Liaised with and advised governmental and semi-governmental entities in Sharjah, handling broad range of legal matters.
- Worked closely with free zone authorities and companies in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
- Advised on copyright and design matters, renewals, licence and assignment drafting, trademark availability searches, and management of opposition, cancellation, and invalidity actions, including reporting to UAE Ministry of Economy (Trademark Section).
- Drafted wide range of contracts and legal documents, including MOUs, powers of attorney, partnership agreements, service contracts, employment contracts, lease agreements, declarations and undertakings, settlement agreements, legal notices, share transfer and MOA amendments, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, and website privacy policies and terms and conditions.
- Advised clients on court procedures, filing requirements, and applicable fees.
- Conducted client interviews to identify optimal legal strategies, including negotiated settlements or court proceedings.
- Assisted in drafting of court pleadings and supporting legal submissions.
Education
Preparatory Diploma (Social Studies and Legal Stud - Legal
London Metropolitan University
UK 09.2006 - 07.2007
Bachelor Of Law - Legal
Londong Metropolitan University
London 09.2007 - 07.2010
International Corporate & Commercial Law LLM - Legal
King's College London
London 05.2024 -
Skills
- Dispute resolution competence
- Litigation management
- Legal document drafting
- Decision making under pressure
Languages
Arabic
Native
English
Native
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
International Corporate & Commercial Law LLM - Legal
King's College London
05.2024 -
Regional Legal Manager and Compliance Lead (MEIT)
Richemont FZE
11.2022 - Current
SENIOR MANAGER LEGAL & COMPLIANCE (EM)
adidas Emerging Markets LLC
06.2015 - 11.2022
LEGAL ASSOCIATE
Hadef and Partners
08.2011 - 06.2015
LEGAL RESEARCHER (CONSULTATION, LITIGATION & ARBIT
Deaifis Advocates and Legal Consultants
09.2010 - 08.2011
Bachelor Of Law - Legal
Londong Metropolitan University
09.2007 - 07.2010
Preparatory Diploma (Social Studies and Legal Stud - Legal
London Metropolitan University
09.2006 - 07.2007