BakerWomen Middle East Roundtable – Managing risk and terminating contentious contractual relationships in MENA

Kate Corby is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution team in London. She has substantial experience of representing clients in complex litigation and arbitration, with a focus on construction and engineering disputes. Kate has been involved in disputes arising out of projects globally, but in recent years has had a particular focus on projects in the Middle East. She is a member of various of the firm's diversity related working groups at a local and global level.

Sally Kotb is a counsel in Baker McKenzie's Dubai office, specializing in international commercial arbitration with a particular focus on energy and construction disputes. She has drafted expert legal opinions in support of both international and domestic arbitrations, and is experienced in enforcement of foreign and domestic awards in the UAE. She is the regional representative of the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).

Judith Mulholland is an senior associate in Baker McKenzie's Dispute Resolution team based in London. She has considerable experience in international commercial arbitration as well as ancillary and enforcement proceedings before the English Courts. Judith regularly advises clients on complex and high-value litigation, particularly in the energy sector, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Joanna Matthews-Taylor is the UAE Head of the Employment practice of Habib Al Mulla & Partners, a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, based in Dubai. She is experienced in the full spectrum of employment law issues, including recruitment, employment contracts, benefits, protection of confidential information and termination. She has also advised clients on the employment aspects of corporate transactions, cross-border secondments and the mobility of employees in the Middle East.

Melissa Forbes-Miranda is a counsel in Baker McKenzie's UAE Corporate practice. Based in Dubai since 2008, Melissa has significant experience in advising on a broad range of cross-border and domestic corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and shareholder disputes. Melissa also regularly advises clients on various other types of corporate and commercial issues.

Stephanie Samuell is a senior associate of Legal Advisors in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited. She has over eight years post qualification experience, of which she has spent six years in Dubai working across the Middle East. Stephanie has a broad range of corporate and commercial experience including advising client on M&A and operational and structuring matters.