In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, host Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Akbar Ali, corporate solicitor and founder of Ali Legal, for an insightful conversation about building a legal career across two jurisdictions and navigating the opportunities and challenges of the UK and UAE legal markets.

Akbar shares his journey into law, the experiences that shaped his career, and his perspective on how to work with clients, businesses, and legal professionals across different jurisdictions.

From business setup and tax residency to contracts, UK property investment, wills and succession planning, this episode explores the legal and commercial considerations lawyers, entrepreneurs, and professionals need to understand when operating between the UK and UAE.

The conversation dives into M&A transactions, earn-outs, deferred consideration, negotiating deals, handling frustrated clients, and why lawyers need to understand the commercial reality behind the legal work.

Akbar also shares his advice for UK lawyers considering a move to the UAE, including the importance of networking, understanding the local legal culture, gaining practical experience, and building meaningful relationships within the business community.

In this episode:

00:00 — Introduction: Akbar Ali & the UK–UAE Legal Connection

05:53 — From Non-Legal Jobs to Building a Legal Career

11:08 — Fatherhood, Responsibility & Building a Successful Career

15:33 — UK Expats in the UAE: Business Setup, Tax & Legal Risks

21:06 — Why You Should Read Every Contract Before Signing

26:06 — Investing in UK Property From the UAE

32:30 — Building Trust Between UK & UAE Legal Professionals

37:44 — UAE Wills, UK Assets & Succession Planning

43:06 — M&A Deals: The Biggest Mistake Sellers Make

48:02 — How Lawyers Handle Frustrated Clients

53:23 — Legal vs Commercial Decisions in Business

59:33 — Who Are You Beyond Being a Lawyer?

01:05:55 — Advice for UK Lawyers Moving to the UAE

01:09:03 — Is the UAE Legal Market Really Saturated?

🎙️ Guest: Akbar Ali | Corporate solicitor and founder of Ali Legal

🎙️ Host: Ahmed Elnaggar Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

What does it really take to build a successful legal career?

In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, host Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Rob Hanna, host of the Legally Speaking Podcast, for an insightful conversation about what it takes to become a great lawyer and build a successful career in the legal profession.

Rob shares his perspective on the skills that set successful lawyers apart, the importance of communication and networking, and how young lawyers and law students can build meaningful careers in an increasingly competitive legal industry.

From career development and mentorship to personal branding, networking, and becoming a more valuable legal professional, this episode explores the practical lessons lawyers can use to take their careers to the next level.

In this episode:

00:00 — What Makes a Great Lawyer? Rob Hanna on Legal Careers

06:49 — Private Practice vs. In-House Law: The Solution Mindset

13:11 — Skills Every Great Lawyer Needs

19:43 — Law Firm Fees, Legal Billing & The Value of Legal Advice

25:39 — What Clients Really Expect From Lawyers

31:28 — Networking & Building a Strong Legal Community

37:45 — How Law Students Can Build a Successful Legal Career

43:18 — Mentorship, Failure & Lessons for Young Lawyers

49:18 — The Future of Legal Careers

55:48 — How to Become a “Sellable” Legal Professional

01:01:04 — Final Advice: Networking & Building Your Legal Career

🎙️ Guest: Rob Hanna | Host of the Legally Speaking Podcast

🎙️ Host: Ahmed Elnaggar Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

What does it really take to become a great in-house lawyer?

In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, host Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Dr. Mogy, President of ACC MENA and a General Counsel ME at Siemens Energy, for an honest conversation about how the legal profession is evolving, and why today’s best lawyers need to understand much more than the law.

Dr. Mogy shares his journey from private practice to leading legal functions across the Middle East, and explains how the role of an in-house counsel has transformed from drafting contracts and legal memos to becoming a true business partner involved in major corporate decisions.

We discuss the difference between a “memo mindset” and a “solution mindset", why understanding the business DNA is one of the most important skills for an in-house lawyer, and how lawyers can bring real economic value to the table.

We also get into the realities of working with external law firms, from billing and value to one major red flag when legal fees start exceeding the value of the claim.

Dr. Mogy also shares his perspective on communication, availability, networking, mentorship, and the power of silence, including a fascinating story about staying silent for four hours during a major settlement negotiation.

Finally, we explore the role of ACC MENA in building a stronger community for in-house lawyers, supporting young legal professionals, and creating opportunities for students through internships, job shadowing, mentorship, and university partnerships.

In this episode:

00:00 — Dr. Mogi on Becoming a Better Lawyer & Business Leader

06:49 — Private Practice vs. In-House Counsel: The Solution Mindset

13:11 — What Makes a Great In-House Lawyer? Business & Legal Skills

19:43 — Legal Billing, Law Firm Fees & The Value of Legal Advice

25:39 — What Clients Expect From External Law Firms & Lawyers

31:28 —ACC MENA: Networking & The In-House Legal Community

37:45 — How Law Students Can Build Their Legal Careers

43:18 — Mentorship for Young Lawyers: Lessons From Failure

49:18 —ACC MENA’s Mission, Community & Future of Legal Careers

55:48 — From Lawyer to “Sellable” Legal Professional: Career Advice

01:01:04 — Final Thoughts: Building Your Network & Legal Career

🎙️ Host: Ahmed Elnaggar

⚖️ Guest: Dr. Mogy | President of ACC MENA and a General Counsel ME at Siemens Energy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, host Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Najib Hage Chahine (Managing Partner — Hage-Chahine Law Firm), a leading Lebanese lawyer, professor and arbitration expert, for an in-depth conversation about the future of law, legal technology, international arbitration and the changing legal market across the Arab world.

From cross-border enforcement and state assets to the Beirut Port explosion case, Prof. Najib shares insights from decades of legal practice across Lebanon, France, the UAE and beyond. He also explains how lawyers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in law firms, arbitration and legal research — and why AI should remain a tool guided by human judgment.

The conversation also explores what aspiring lawyers can learn from studying at institutions such as Harvard, how legal education differs between the Arab world, France and the United States, and why adaptability, ethics, analytical thinking and curiosity are becoming more important than ever for the next generation of lawyers.

We also discuss the future of the Arab legal market, the growth of legal services between Lebanon, Egypt and the GCC, outsourcing legal work, lawyers' fees, digital transformation, judicial independence and what Arab legal systems need to develop to attract international investment.

In this episode:

* The future of AI in the legal profession

* How law firms can use AI safely and effectively

* AI, confidentiality and human verification

* Cross-border enforcement and state assets

* The legal battle surrounding the Beirut Port explosion

* International arbitration and the revival of Beirut as an arbitration hub

* Building a law firm across Beirut, Dubai and Paris

* Harvard, legal education and scholarships

* Differences between Arab, French and American legal education

* The future of the legal profession in the Arab world

* The GCC legal market and exporting legal services

* Digital transformation and the judiciary

* Advice for young Arab lawyers and law students

00:00 Meet Prof. Najib Hage Chahine

01:01 From Beirut to a Global Legal Career

06:48 Cross-Border Enforcement & State Assets

09:15 Inside the Beirut Port Explosion Case Details

14:43 Reviving Beirut as an Arbitration Hub

19:37 Building a Law Firm Across Beirut, Dubai & Paris

22:14 How Law Firms Are Adopting AI

26:12 AI, Lawyers & the Future of Arab Courts

31:18 Can Lawyers Trust AI-Generated Work?

35:39 Legal Fees, Profitability & Outsourcing

38:32 Did the GCC Hurt or Help Lebanon’s Legal Market?

41:42 How to Study Law at Harvard & Get Financial Aid

46:01 What Harvard, Paris & Lebanon Teach Lawyers

51:06 Legal Education vs. Real-World Practice

53:31 The Future of Law in the Arab World

58:44 Advice for the Next Generation of Lawyers

01:00:40 Final Thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Legal culture in the Gulf is shifting, and Oman is leading the change. In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, host Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Hussain Al Toubi, Founder of Hussain Al Toubi Law Firm, a leading Omani lawyer and mediation expert, to unpack how mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) are reshaping how business disputes get resolved across the Gulf.

Hussein shares how a single 105-case labor dispute settlement changed his entire career path, why Oman's 2021 Mediation Law is easing pressure on the courts, and what really makes a mediator trustworthy. We also dig into Oman's 2019 reform allowing 100% foreign ownership, the deep historic ties between Oman and the UAE, and whether AI could ever replace a human mediator including a real story of a lawyer caught submitting fake case citations generated by ChatGPT!

In this episode:

✅ Oman–UAE legal and business ties

✅ 100% foreign ownership & free zones in Oman (2019 reform)

✅ How Hussein settled 105 labor cases in 3 months through mediation

✅ Oman's 2021 Mediation Law and reducing court backlogs

✅ What makes a good mediator: neutrality, expertise, trust

✅ Can AI replace a human mediator? Real case studies

✅ How law firms are adopting AI tools

✅ Oman's legal tech: e-POAs, investment courts, remote hearings

✅ Hussain's vision for GCC and African expansion

✅ The Arabian horse metaphor for what makes a great lawyer

✅ One law Hussain would change: decriminalizing bounced checks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

What does it take to make decisions that no one else is willing to make?

In this episode of The Jurist, Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Dr. Habib Al Mulla, Founder of Habib Al Mulla & Partners, for a candid conversation about integrity, courage, entrepreneurship, and the decisions that shaped one of the UAE’s most prominent legal careers.

Dr. Habib Al Mulla shares the story behind rebuilding his law firm after a major separation from an international firm, why he refused to compromise on his principles, and how he turned uncertainty into an opportunity for growth.

From transforming the UAE’s legal landscape and advocating for major legal reforms, to expanding into international markets where others saw risk, Dr. Habib Al Mulla explains why he believes that “your reputation is your capital” and why waiting for the perfect opportunity can sometimes mean missing the opportunity altogether.

The conversation also explores the growing role of lawyers on social media, leadership and team building, the future of the UAE, and his passion for food and restaurant culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Is AI Really Replacing Lawyers? LexisNexis Middle East CEO Explains to The Jurist Podcast. In this episode, host Ahmed sits down with Benjamin Filaferro, CEO of LexisNexis Middle East, to break down the truth behind AI in the legal industry. From debunking the "AI will replace lawyers" myth to explaining how legal tech tools like Lexis+ AI, Henchman, and Harvey are transforming law firms across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — this conversation covers everything lawyers, in-house counsel, and legal tech enthusiasts need to know right now.

Benjamin shares real numbers on ROI from legal AI adoption (including how firms are saving up to 10 hours per week on legal research), explains why data privacy and confidentiality are the biggest concerns when using tools like ChatGPT, and reveals why LexisNexis is investing millions to bring authoritative, Arabic-language legal AI to the MENA region.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ Why AI won't replace lawyers — but will change how they work

✅ The #1 misconception about legal AI in the Middle East

✅ How LexisNexis protects client confidentiality vs. generic AI tools like ChatGPT

✅ Real ROI data: time saved and efficiency gains from legal AI

✅ Legal tech adoption in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt

✅ Why big law firms are slower to adopt AI than small ones

✅ LexisNexis' roadmap: Arabic AI, Henchman, Harvey & Microsoft integrations

✅ Advice for lawyers who feel behind on legal technology

Whether you're a lawyer, law firm partner, legal tech founder, or in-house counsel trying to understand how generative AI is reshaping the legal profession in the Middle East, this episode gives you the insider perspective straight from one of the industry's biggest players. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Former CIA Officer James Lawler Reveals How the CIA Recruits Foreign Spies at The Jurist Podcast

What does it really take to recruit a foreign spy? Former CIA operations officer James Lawler reveals how intelligence officers identify, recruit, and manage human assets, sharing real stories from decades of covert operations around the world.

In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, James Lawler explains the psychology behind espionage, the art of building trust, the ethics of intelligence work, and how human intelligence (HUMINT) shapes national security. From recruitment strategies to high-risk operations, this conversation offers a rare inside look at one of the world’s most secretive professions.

Whether you’re interested in the CIA, espionage, intelligence agencies, geopolitics, psychology, negotiation, leadership, or real stories from former intelligence officers, this episode delivers unique insights into the hidden world of covert operations.

In this episode:

* How the CIA recruits foreign spies

* The psychology of intelligence recruitment

* Building trust with covert assets

* How intelligence officers identify potential recruits

* Human Intelligence (HUMINT) explained

* Spycraft and clandestine operations

* Counterintelligence and operational security

* Real CIA stories from James Lawler

* National security and global intelligence

* Lessons in influence, persuasion, and human behavior

If you enjoy conversations about intelligence, espionage, geopolitics, psychology, leadership, international affairs, and behind-the-scenes stories from former intelligence professionals, subscribe for more in-depth interviews on The Jurist Podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, host Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Chrissie Wolfe, Founder & CEO of Lupa, to explore the complex and sensitive worlds of cosmetic surgery, medical negligence, and personal branding in law.They discuss:The physical and psychological risks of elective cosmetic proceduresLegal responsibilities of clinics and medical professionalsBuilding a strong personal brand and credibility in the legal industryHow technology and AI are reshaping the future of law- For lawyers, students, and anyone interested in medical law: Gain practical advice, insider insights, and strategies to navigate today’s evolving legal and professional landscape.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Jurist Podcast, Ahmed Elnaggar sits down with Ahmad Almazourie, CEO of Saeed Sulayem Advocates, to discuss the legal risks of filming, posting, and sharing content in the UAE.What many people see as normal behavior — taking a photo or recording a video — can sometimes lead to serious legal consequences.This episode explains where the legal boundaries are, when filming becomes a crime, and why “good intentions” may not protect you.A must-watch for anyone using social media, and for every parent raising kids in a digital world.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.