LOMD possesses both the legal credentials and in-depth understanding of the local legal systems to expertly serve clients on an extensive range of legal issues. Utilising the talents and experience of regional and international experts, LOMD provides legal representation of the highest calibre, with a proven record of excellence and client-focused service. Its international network of professionals and affiliates enable it to cater to the specific needs of its clients both in the region, and globally. LOMD’s approach is deliberate and comprehensive – to receive the mandate from the client, assemble the right team, and then deliver the service.

Malik Dahlan
LOMD Founder and Chief Attorney

Malik Dahlan is the firm’s founder and Chief Attorney, with legal qualifications from the U.S.A., Egypt, and Jordan. Dahlan has worked extensively on numerous groundbreaking initiatives in Qatar, including the renowned Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development of Her Highness, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of the Emir of Qatar. He also served as Chief Legal Counsel on the $8.67 billion Specialty Teaching Hospital, and assisted the Qatari Ministerial Delegation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Hong Kong Round in December 2005. As Founding Director, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Brookings Doha Center in Qatar, a unique foreign policy think-tank in the Arab World.

Dahlan has also represented leading financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, and Bain Capital, and acted in several vital defense and energy matters relating to companies such as Lockheed Martin, and Siemens. He has served as Policy Consultant on Gulf States for the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and advised the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the accession of Saudi Arabia and the GCC to the World Trade Organization.

Representative Matters

● Qatar Financial Center (QFC) International Civil and Commercial Court – since early 2007, iQ have been the legal architects of the first common law court in the Middle East. The new international court is modeled on leading international corporate haven courts such as those of Delaware. iQ has been advising Lord Woolf of Barnes, the former Chief Justice of England and Wales, President of the Court, and Sir William Blair, Chairman of the Regulatory Tribunal;

● Agelef – iQ has advised the international shipping company on tax and corporate matters relating to commercial presence in Qatar, and long-term LNG transportation contracts throughout the world;

● Qatar Supreme Economic Council – iQ was retained between 2007-2008 by the SEC, the highest economic policy body in Qatar, headed by His Highness the Emir and His Highness the Crown Prince, to advise as the lead legal counsel for the establishment of a new single financial services regulator, in addition to evaluating the nation-wide legal regime regarding financial services;

● Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation – in 2008 iQ was retained by the Dubai-based foundation launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, and the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo to undertake a legal environment evaluation project for philanthropy in the Arab World;

● Arab Democracy Foundation (ADF) – iQ acted as legal adviser in 2007 for the financing, creation and incorporation of the first Arab non-governmental organization promoting democracy and civil society;

● Morgan Stanley – in 2006 iQ advised as Gulf Counsel in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar for the largest international infrastructure fund of the global financial services provider;

● Bain Capital – iQ advised the Boston-based private equity firm in a major securities listing in Jordan;

● Lockheed Martin – iQ advised the U.S.-based defence company in a state-wide surveillance contract with the Government of Qatar;

● Siemens – iQ advised the German multinational on its establishment in Qatar, and major matters including tax and defense government contracts;

● Sidra Medical Research Center – Mr. Dahlan was the instructing attorney in the creation of the $8.7 billion state of the art specialty teaching hospital with the involvement of the Weil-Cornell Medical School;

● Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, a non-profit organization established by His Highness the Emir of Qatar to promote education, research, and community welfare. It is chaired by Her Highness the Emir’s Consort. Between 2005- 2006 Mr. Dahlan acted as legal adviser to Her Highness on various matters including the creation of a Science and Technology Park, the introduction of several U.S. university campuses including Georgetown School of Foreign Service, and Weill-Cornell Medical College. He was also entrusted with the establishment of the Cultural Development Center;

● Brookings Doha Center – Mr. Dahlan was the chief legal architect in the establishment of the Middle Eastern arm of the Brookings Institution, the first of its kind outside the U.S.A. He also served as Founding-Director for a year;

● New Cairo International Airport (TAV Cairo) – iQ advised the Turkish-based construction firm in the largest African project to be financed by the World Bank (structured as a BOT contract);

● United States Trade Representative (USTR) – during 2002-2003 iQ advised on the accession of Saudi Arabia and the GCC to the World Trade Organization;

● Economic Development Board of Bahrain – in 2001-2002, Mr. Dahlan supported the Bahraini Government agency with overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing Bahrain’s economic development strategy on its legal architecture, and advised on the overall legal infrastructure to support its goals, including the new telecommunication strategy for Bate co, the country’s telecom provider;

● Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) – Mr. Dahlan provided advice for the drafting of the Investment Law for the Saudi Government’s creation of SAGIA in 2000 to promote investment and development;

● United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) – Mr. Dahlan advised as Legal Policy Consultant on bilateral treaties and trade agreements with Gulf States;

● The Equestrian Club of Jeddah (Bourges KSA) – Mr. Dahlan advised the Saudi Government on a BOT contract with the French-based multinational industrial group for King Abdullah’s Equestrian Club in Jeddah, the largest and most complex Islamic finance project of its time.