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Find out moreThe final Law Update of 2022 is here, and it’s packed full of articles. The double edition features two focus areas, first is a spotlight on Energy and Resources and second we feature a collection of articles on Transport and Logistics. The developments occurring in these sectors in the MENA region are unprecedented and our lawyers cover vast themes for you.
The Energy and Resources focus features topics such as diversifying energy resources, solar PV, mining in the Middle East, renewable energy and green hydrogen. From a transport perspective, we draw attention to the Bahrain metro project, discuss the challenges and remedies associated with the repossession of an aircraft, and there is advice on what to consider should a party vary the terms of a shipping contract.
This edition navigates you through updates from across jurisdictions such as, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE. Each article is timely and provides insights into legal issues and cases that are affecting these sectors across the region.
Read the full editionIbtissem Lassoued is a Partner and Head of Advisory in the Regional Financial Crime Practice of Al Tamimi & Company, covering all nine of the firm’s jurisdictions.
She graduated from the Sorbonne University (Paris) and joined Al Tamimi & Company in 2007 from the legal department of the French Group Vivendi, where she conducted primarily US litigation (e.g. class actions, Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) and Department of Justice (‘DOJ’) investigations.
Ibtissem has extensive experience advising a variety of clientele on a spectrum of white collar crime matters which have spanned the globe. Her expertise on these matters includes complex corporate fraud, tracing, freezing and recovery of assets, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, extradition (acting both for States submitting extradition requests and individuals who are subject of a request) and mutual judicial cooperation, including issues relating to foreign judgments and Interpol notices. In order to advise fully, Ibtissem offers clients a full and practical knowledge of the remit of inter-governmental organizations, in particular in relation to the FATF and MENAFATF, and the effect of the same on anti-corruption, confiscation of the proceeds of crime, de-risking and the reporting of suspicious transactions.
Furthermore, she frequently advises clients on international economic sanctions, counter-terrorist financing (particularly concerning charitable fundraising regulations), embezzlement, fraud and corruption, including advising multinational companies, global banks and international firms. Ibtissem is also experienced in assisting with multijurisdictional investigations where the applicability of foreign regulations needs to be considered (e.g. the anti-corruption laws such as the US FCPA and the UK Bribery Act).
Ibtissem has been ranked as Band 1 in Chambers Global for Corporate Investigations for 6 consecutive years since the category’s inclusion and is commended for being ‘as passionate about her area of expertise as she is knowledgeable’ and ‘stunningly good at what she does’. She is also praised for her “very good reputation in challenging and interesting issues in the Middle East” and for being “well versed in anti-corruption and anti-bribery law, regularly advising multinationals and high net worth individuals. She has conducted a number of cross-border investigations and is well known for her white-collar crime practice.”
Ibtissem’s international profile and engagement with the financial sector has led her to assume an influential role in financial crime reform in the MENA region. In February 2021, Ibtissem was appointed as the Chair of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime Middle East and North Africa Chapter.[1] Her work with the Global Coalition involves strategic oversight and direction of the Global Coalition’s activity in all MENA countries and active involvement in the development of an effective financial crime system across the public and private sectors. In 2019, she was ranked amongst Financial News’ 50 Most Influential Women in Middle East Finance, and holds a number of positions within exterior organisations providing leadership to the global legal community. Ibtissem is currently serving as a member of the International Advisory Board of the CEELI Institute, a non-profit non-governmental organisation based in Prague, Czech Republic, dedicated to advancing the rule of law, and is also currently sitting a second term as the Middle East and North Africa representative on the Criminal Law Committee of the International Bar Association.
[1] https://www.gcffc.org/press-release-the-global-coalition-to-fight-financial-crime-announces-two-new-members-and-five-expert-committees/
In addition to her legal practice, Ibtissem is regularly invited to speak at international conferences in respect of her areas of expertise.
Various publications on the abovementioned topics such as recently:
[1] https://rusi.org/multimedia/season-two-mutual-evaluation-retort
[2] https://www.tamimi.com/insights/video-gallery/ibtissem-lassoued-talks-to-bloomberg-on-the-transparency-corruption-perceptions-index-2019/
2000 – Master Degree in Commercial Law and DEA Tax Law, Sorbonne University
DEA Tax Law, Sorbonne University
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