Mai Alfalasi Advocates & Legal Consultancy
Mai Alfalasi Advocates and Legal Consultancy (MAAF Legal) was founded in 2018 as a sole proprietorship (firm) with a professional license to carry out advocacy and legal consultancy in the Emirate of Dubai by its founder Ms. Mai Alfalasi. Since then, the firm has witnessed various changes including the establishment of civil, commercial, and criminal practices.
In 2021, we underwent a major reform to our business operations, broadening our service portfolio to encompass corporate, banking and finance, real estate, construction and financial crimes. We have also updated our processes and the way we deal with our clients by adopting international standards. We further found a great value from our association with Dahman & Partners FZ-LLC where resources are shared, and high-quality professional services are offered to corporate and retail clients in the various segments.
In 2023, we got associated with the dynamically developing international law firm, GRATA International. Now having significant exposure to diverse legal regimes – we ensure to provide quality services across the world, supporting local and international clients from different industries.
At MAAF Legal, we aim to build a space where clients are heard and supported, and where legal professionals in the industry find a home for learning and enjoying while practicing. We aim to create a school of thought for adding knowledge, exchanging ideas and delivering success. We remain independent and honest when dealing with our clients, our colleagues or our counterparts. Our integrity is our strength and our clients’ trust are our goal.
Mai Alfalasi
Lawyer & Founding Partner
Mai Alfalasi holds a bachelor’s degree in law and economics and a master’s degree in public law. She is a licensed lawyer and practices law in the United Arab Emirates, representing clients in both civil and criminal cases before all courts.
Her areas of expertise lie particularly in civil liabilities, torts, and financial fraud cases. Mai’s legal skills were honed through training at her father’s law firm, Mr. Abdulrahman Naseeb Alfalasi, which provided her with a solid foundation in the advocacy profession and the art of defending clients from an early age. Mai’s career started as a legal counsel at Commercial Bank International before transitioning to work as a lawyer at the law office of Khalifa Bin Howaidan. Eventually, she founded her own law firm, Mai Alfalasi Advocates and Legal Consultancy.
With her extensive experience, Mai is a seasoned advocate who meticulously and professionally handles a wide range of criminal, commercial, and Sharia’a cases. She maintains a close working relationship with her clients, thoroughly researching their respective cases, assisting them in gathering and presenting supporting evidence, and vigorously defending their rights and interests before the courts and judicial authorities. Throughout her practice, Mai adheres strictly to the ethical standards of the legal profession.
Issam Dahman
Legal Counsel & Managing Partner
Issam Dahman is a distinguished bilingual legal counsel licensed to practice in Dubai with over twenty (20) years of experience in corporate, banking, finance, capital market, technology, construction and alternative dispute resolutions. He has been in practice since 2002, holding an LL.M. in International Legal Studies with a specialization in International Business Law from American University, Washington College of Law, and a Licence En Droit (L.L.B. equivalent) from Beirut Arab University.
Before being the Managing Partner of our firm, Issam held executive roles in multiple reputed financial institutions in Dubai, such as Emirates NBD, Zurich Insurance, and Qatar National Bank (through its affiliates, Commercial Bank International). He acted on major transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, project finance, corporate and debt restructuring, transfer of intellectual property, formation, structure, re-structure and dissolution of local and international corporate entities of varied activities, ranging from international trade to oil, gas and real estate and many other business and commercial deals. He also successfully resolved large portfolio of nonperforming loans and legacy disputes related to non-performing investments by devising effective legal strategy and litigation tactics. He also played a key role in standardizing contractual agreements and advising on complex financial transactions.
Our Approach
Integrity
We uphold the highest ethical standards, maintain honesty and transparency and prioritize clients’ best interests.
Client First
We put our clients at the heart of all we do, ensuring they are kept informed and updated every step of the way. We turn our experience into suitable solutions that would fit the needs of our clients, building long term relationship over short-term gains.
Excellence
We are committed to delivering top-quality service and continuously strive for improvement. We stay informed about current legal developments, including emerging precedents and industry trends. These efforts are aimed at ensuring our services are not only effective but also responsive to the evolving needs of our clients.
Teamwork
We collaborate – leveraging our team’s diverse skills and
perspectives to achieve desired results. We encourage open communication, mutual respect, and continuous learning, all of which are fundamental to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Dealing with Information
Protecting our clients’ data and information is a priority to us. We safeguard confidential information of our employees, clients, affiliates and other stakeholders through our secured physical and electronic tools. We collect, process or share personal data only for specified, legitimate and required purposes and to the extent necessary to discharge our duties. All access, use or disclosure of confidential information will be made on a need-to-know basis and when authorized for legitimate business purpose.
Record Management
We accurately and completely record our business transactions by retaining records and data, including electronic files, emails, for as long as we are required to do so under the applicable laws and regulations.
Conflict of Interest
Every day we onboard new clients. We may occasionally be presented with a conflict-of-interest situation between two or more of our clients, or between the interest of our firm and the personal interest of our partners or employees. Whenever we face such a situation, we analyze the underlying relationships carefully to avoid a conflict occurrence, without compromising on the interest of our clients or the firm. However, we refrain from any representation or activity whenever a confit of interest is established.
Anti Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing
We are committed to the international fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. We observe all applicable laws and regulations in this regard. We establish clients’ identities and understand the sources of funding our fees or transactions we are assigned to assist in.
International Reach
We leverage our international connections to offer our clients the benefits of local expertise combined with the resources and capabilities of a global firm. Whether it’s handling multinational transactions, resolving cross-border disputes, or advising on regulatory matters, we are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of our clients and help them achieve their objectives.