Dubai 11-12 February 2026
Managing Partner, Rasem Kamal has just returned from Dubai following the IBA Middle East Conference (11–12 February), which brought together law firm leaders and in-house counsel from across the region.
Mr. Kamal was honored to deliver the opening remarks on behalf of the IBA Arab Regional Forum, followed by participating in a panel discussion on key developments in the Middle East legal market.
A few themes stood out clearly:
• The continued acceleration and institutional development of the Saudi legal market, with increasingly sophisticated regulatory frameworks and in-house legal teams.
• A shift toward genuinely regional operating models, as clients expect seamless cross-border advice rather than isolated jurisdictional expertise.
• Growing demand for sector-focused, commercially integrated legal counsel.
The Middle East legal market is not only expanding — it is maturing in structure, expectations and strategic alignment with business..