UCL الدكتور خالد علي الحضرمي law firm continues the strategic development of its regional expertise in the Middle East. As part of a new phase, the firm is launching practices in the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain—jurisdictions that have established themselves as key hubs for international trade and investment.The new directions are being developed under the leadership of UCL’s current partners and managers, ensuring continuity of expertise and consistently high quality standards.
The practice team has been joined by Leila Kanametova, a specialist in international and investment arbitration, as well as cross-border litigation.
Leila has a strong academic background, she also has passed all required qualification examinations and is currently awaiting admission as a solicitor. Leila spent over six years in London, working at leading law firms, where she was involved in some of the most complex and high-profile disputes on the market. Her experience includes representation and case management before the courts of England and Wales at all levels, as well as comprehensive work on both litigation and arbitration strategies.
Her professional experience also includes advising and representing clients in arbitrations under the LCIA, ICC, and LMAA Rules, as well as participation in major investment arbitration proceedings recognised among the most complex and significant international disputes. Leila has acted in multi-jurisdictional matters, including corporate, sanctions-related, and investment disputes.
The practice has also welcomed Rahaf Alsaidi, a promising lawyer specialising in civil and commercial disputes. Rahaf is a graduate of the United Arab Emirates University Faculty of Law, distinguished by outstanding academic achievements. She has completed internships with leading law firms in the UAE, has experience working in the UAEU Legal Clinic on pro bono matters, and has actively participated in moot court competitions, including the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, preparing submissions for both claimant and respondent. Her achievements include regular inclusion on the Dean’s Honorary List.
The addition of Leyla Kanametova and Rahaf Alsaidi marks an important step in further strengthening UCL’s dispute resolution practice and significantly enhances the team’s ability to handle the most complex cross-border disputes and investment projects, which require a high level of legal expertise and precise procedural execution.
Sergey Levichev, Partner and Head of UCL’s Dispute Resolution Practice, comments on the team expansion:
“I am absolutely delighted with this addition to our team. We are deliberately building a dream team — the best of the best on the market. Our colleagues bring unique experience in handling some of the most complex and sensitive disputes, and their arrival significantly strengthens UCL’s expertise and market position in dispute resolution.”