Ashraf is a lawyer who has practiced law in various jurisdictions throughout his career, gaining experience from both the public legal arena as well as working in the private legal practice. He has complemented his legal practice with academic knowledge and expertise of diverse law systems practiced across the world (Civil Law, Common Law, and Sharia) which has given him a competitive edge to fundamentally understand the specifics of each legal system and be able to guide and advise clients from all over the world in their best interests. His diverse legal educational background, LL.B. from Cairo University, School of Law; LL.M from Paris I – La Sorbonne, Paris; LL.M. from SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas; and Advanced Certificate in International Arbitration – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) – London, allowed him to provide legal services and represent clients before different Courts of Law and International Arbitration Institutions in Arabic, English, and French.

He started his law journey career in the public legal domain after being appointed, via a Presidential Decree, as a Public Prosecutor in Egypt. During his tenure as representative of the state/public interest, he gained particular experience in interrogating complex criminal cases, deciding on cases for trials, attending courtroom prosecutors, and supervising the execution of criminal judgments.

Moving from the public domain, he started his private practice as an Associate at Baker & McKenzie (Cairo, Los Angeles, and Dallas offices) where he gained substantial experience in the areas of corporate and commercial laws. He was involved in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal agreements and cross-borders commercial transactions. He advised on all legal aspects of real estate transactions and disputes.

In 1997, Ashraf moved to Dubai to act as In-House Legal Counsel for Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), one of the leading drivers of economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa. During his tenure, he managed complex commercial, retail, hospitality, and real estate transactions to include mergers and acquisitions, franchises, and joint ventures with fortune 500 companies.

He was later appointed by the Swiss Company, Nestlé S.A. to act as their first Regional Counsel in charge of MENA and Gulf Region. He was involved in every aspect of the business, and its strategic expansion throughout the region. He was responsible for handling the commercial and legal aspects to include supply, manufacturing, distribution, licensing, and agency agreements. Ashraf played a vital role in implementing Nestlé Middle East’s new business model by taking over numerous long-term agencies and distribution agreements in the Mena region.

In 2002, Motei and Associates was born.

Area of Expertise Today Ashraf’s practice extends to advising clients on complex civil, commercial and corporate litigation including contracts disputes, joint ventures, shareholders disputes, business crimes (management misconduct, fraud, theft), construction, professional negligence, agency and employment disputes. He has over two decades of significant expertise in real estate disputes and has represented buyers in numerous real estate cases including sale and purchase fraud cases, delayed handover, discrepancy in saleable area, cancelled projects, and rent disputes.

Ashraf has recognized expertise in international arbitration. He represented clients in numerous arbitration cases under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC-LCIA), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and Ras Al Khaimah Arbitration Centre.

He advises on all aspects of the arbitration proceedings commencing from selecting Arbitrators throughout the enforcement of arbitral awards, either locally or worldwide. He has served as Arbitrator in proceedings including Ad hoc cases. He is admitted on the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) selected Arbitrators panel, as well as admitted for pleading before Dubai International Financial Centre – DIFC Courts.

Ashraf provides services in Arabic, English and French with equal proficiency.

Education & Certifications

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) – SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas
• Master of Laws – Paris I – La Sorbonne, Paris
• Bachelor of Laws – Cairo University School of Law
• Advanced Certificate in International Arbitration (MCIArb) – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London
• Certified Practitioner of Nero Linguistic Programing (NLP), London
• Certified Blockchain & Law Professional from Blockchain Council, California

Bar & Other Admissions

• Egypt – Registered Pleading Advocate before the Court of Cassation
• DIFC Courts – Registered Practitioner Lawyer with Rights of Audience
• DIFC Court Wills Registry – Registered Wills Draftsman
• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) – Arbitrators panel

Memberships

• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• International Bar Association (IBA)

Who we are

Founded in 2002 in the United Arab Emirates, Motei & Associates is a boutique law firm that embodies the multicultural, dynamic energy and progressive spirit of the region. We strive to be a leading example to the rest of the world in challenging the impossible. This is what lies in our DNA.

On a par with the UAE government’s bold, forward-looking vision, we offer the perfect blend of professionalism with a creative legal approach, flexibility, and more importantly, open-ended, responsive attorney-client communication.

What has made us successful, is our deep understanding of the traditions of the land and the unique complexities and challenges faced by living in a country with multiple legal systems. We bring forward this on-ground knowledge to deliver not just a traditional legal expertise but a personalized, wellrounded, commercially sound advice that will lead to our client’s success.

What we Offer

We provide legal solutions and advice to individual and corporate clients, both local or international, based in the UAE or with business interests in the country. Our expertise covers a wide range of legal practice areas, including business setup, commercial transactions, corporate governance and compliance, commercial litigation, international arbitration, employment, family law, real estate, and wills. We offer advice in English, Arabic and French with equal proficiency.

Our Culture & Values

Our culture and values are at the core of who we are and what make us a unique firm to work with. We make a difference by being approachable, straightforward, responsive and responsible. We deeply value the relationships we build with our clients, and we know that they value our warm, friendly human approach.

E-Lawyer Services

In today’s fast-paced world, legal issues can arise unexpectedly, requiring immediate attention and expert advice. At Motei & Associates, we understand the urgency of these situations and the importance of accessible legal support. That’s why we offer comprehensive E-Lawyer services, designed to provide you with prompt, professional legal assistance right from the comfort of your home or office.

Easy and Secure Payment

Our client-first culture has inspired us to introduce an easy and convenient electronic payment system. Clients receive their invoices via email and can pay online using a debit or credit card through a secure payment gateway. This is just one of the ways we are leveraging personalized technology and swift response to revolutionize the legal industry in the UAE.

Pro-Bono (Legal Aid)

Motei & Associates is one of the few law firms in the UAE that answers the call of pro bono legal aid. Our team of lawyers is dedicated to assisting those who need legal help the most. By devoting our time to the financially disadvantaged, we strive to fight for their rights and ensure that their problems are resolved. We have successfully assisted many pro bono clients in the past and are committed to helping many more in the future, providing a rewarding experience for all involved.

Global Reach

We meet our clients’ international legal needs through a network of law firms operating in most jurisdictions worldwide. Our professional partnerships with these selected firms stem from relationships developed over two decades of practice in the UAE. We carefully select the right local partner for each matter, while retaining full responsibility for the quality of work provided. This ensures our clients receive specialized advice from the appropriate legal experts.

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