Our Team
Rashid Deemas Alsuwaidi
CEO
Prior to establishing the law firm in 2014, he has served with the UAE Government agency for more than 20 years, retiring with full honours and commendation for his dedication and service. Since then, he has amassed years of experience in civil and criminal litigation and dispute resolution in the UAE and Gulf countries. Under his leadership and vision, Mr Rashid has led his team of capable lawyers and legal consultants to become one the best law firms in the UAE.
Education: Sharjah University, Bachelor in law
Languages: Arabic and English
Brent Yap
Partner
Brent is a co-founder and partner of Viknesh & Yap Law Firm, based in Malaysia. He specialises in business and corporate legal services including company law, corporate governance, restructuring, M&A, private equity and corporate financing. Having obtained the certification in Chinese Law from one of China’s best law universities, Brent also regularly advises clients in Chinese legal compliance.
He is a frequent presenter in legal workshops in Malaysia and China on issues relating to cross-border investments and legal compliance.
Mr Brent also advises SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) in domestic and international markets to enter into the suitable contracts and agreements. He has expanded his services to emerging businesses and tech start-ups in legal compliance and securing business capital & funding.
In 2017, Mr Brent obtained the Chinese Law course certificate awarded by Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) one of China’s leading legal research centers and law university where he is also a Fellow Researcher.
In 2019, Mr Brent obtained a certification in Islamic Finance to add to his practice portfolio covering Islamic finance and sukuk investments.
He is serving as office bearer and legal advisor to established NGOs recognised by the Prime Minister’s Department to promote cross-border businesses and investments between Greater China and Malaysia.
Education: University Malaya, LLB Hons. Certificate on Islamic Corporate Banking Products and Instruments from CERT-Center for Research and Training Malaysia. Certificate of Chinese Law from Southwest University of Political Science and Law.
Languages. Malaysian, English and Chinese
Palani
Partner
Palani is an Advocate & Solicitor, Adjudicator and a Construction Law / Commercial Law practitioner in Penang, Malaysia and the founding partner of ADR Arbitration Chambers.
Mr Palani holds a law degree with honors from University of London and admitted to the Malaysian Bar as an Advocate & Solicitor in 1992. He holds a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration. He is empaneled as an Adjudicator with the Kuala Lumpur, Asian International Arbitration Centre since 2014.
He has served as Chairman of the Industrial Law Committee and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee in the Penang Bar Committee and has organised various talks in the those areas.
Also, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) since 2015 and a Fellow (Pioneer Member) of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Kuala Lumpur (FAIADR) since 2018.
He has been in active practice for more than 28 years. His primary area of work is in civil dispute resolution representing corporations and individuals. He also represents corporations in Construction Law disputes and has written numerous awards as Adjudicator at AIAC. In addition Palani has also presided as an arbitrator for the Pre–Moot to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration
Language: English, Malay & Tamil
Dr SK Joy Ramphul
Partner
Dr. S K Joy Ramphul is a Barrister, International Arbitrator and Adjudicator. Accredited dispute resolution professional specialised in International Dispute Settlement and International Commercial Arbitration. Empaneled with the Kuala Lumpur Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) as Arbitrator and Adjudicator since 2012. He was also admitted to the Kigali International Arbitration Centre “KIAC” Panel of International Arbitrators in 2016.
He has been practicing as a private lawyer after he was called to the Bar in England & Wales and Mauritius in 1998 and 1999 respectively. After a couple of years, he joined the Attorney General’s Office as State Counsel, then the Mauritian Judiciary as Senior Presiding Magistrate. In 2012 he joined AIAC as International Case Counsel, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. From 2016-2017 he was the Senior Associate of the Temple Group Law firm in Mauritius.
He is a Fellow of the Charte. red Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) UK since 2009 and a Fellow (Pioneer Member) of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (FAIADR), Kuala Lumpur since 2018.
He has been conferred a Doctor of Law (LL.D) Honoris Causa in 2018 and has been awarded an LL.M with Merit in International Dispute Settlement from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies at the University of Geneva, Switzerland (the MIDS) in 2014. He also holds an LL.M with Merit in International Commercial Arbitration & Corporate Law from Queen Mary College, University of London in 2008.
Language: English, French & Creole
Mohammed AlBahar
Partner
Proir to joining the firm Mohammed has worked over 22 years in the Banking sector, Responsible for directing all sales programs, analysing the Banks yearly sales target, operating environment, framework & boundaries, working relationships. He is currently the Head of Public Relations Department.
Educations: Bachelor’s of Law, Al Ghurair University, UAE. Diploma in Business Management/Admin, University of Cambridge, UK
Languages : Arabic & English
Kareem Abuelwafa
Legal Manager
Mr Kareem is an experienced legal consultant with over 10 years of practice. He has extensive experience in handling various litigation and arbitration matters, and he provides legal advisory for both local and international clients. He is well versed in drafting and reviewing a variety of corporate and commercial contracts. Kareem’s expertise expands over a variety of areas of law; he is specialised in Corporate & Commercial law, Criminal law, Labour law, real estate and arbitration.
Education: Al Mansoura University, Bachelor’s in law, Egypt
Languages: Arabic and English
Sharifa Osman
Legal Consultant - Public Relation
Languages: Arabic and English
Salma Gatali
Legal Consultant
Salma possesses an extensive of experience as a legal research including 7 years of drafting various types of legal memorandums; primarily in family law, labour law, realestate and criminal law.
Education: Bachelors of Law from Ajman University. Diploma in Legal Consultancy from Tip Top Center for Training & Consultancy Dubai.
Languages: Persian, Arabic and English
Raiana Bekova
Legal Consultant - Public Relations
Educations: Bachelor’s Degree of Pedagogical University, Russia.
Languages : Russian, English, French, Turkish,Arabic.
Sara AlJannan
Legal Assistant
Kristyl Gelbolingo
Secretary
Kristyl has been responsible for the administration of Rashid Deemas Alsuwaidi Advocates and Legal Consultants since 2017. With her years of experience in handling the Admin department, Ms Kristyl is also responsible for coordinating workflow and liaising with staff and clients. She ensures that all company policies and procedures are complied with on a daily basis.
Education: University of Immaculate Conception, BS HRM, Philippines.
Languages: Tagalog and English