Awatif Al Khouri serves as the Owner and principal of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, an UAE-based law practice that operates with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. She is licensed to represent clients in all courts of the United Arab Emirates, from the Courts of First Instance through the Supreme Court, reflecting a broad authority to advocate across the UAE judiciary. Trained and qualified in Dubai, she began practicing law in 1989, initially gaining experience within UAE law firms before founding the firm in 2003. This long tenure in the UAE legal landscape spans multiple decades, during which she has represented a diverse clientele, including large corporate entities and academic institutions. Her practice underlines a long-standing involvement in the UAE’s legal system, demonstrating notable continuity and leadership in a competitive market. Over the past twenty years, Awatif has represented an array of esteemed clients such as Shell Petroleum Ltd and Middlesex University, illustrating a track record of handling high-profile and complex matters for multinational and educational institutions. Her professional profile also highlights her ability to engage with international clients, supported by language proficiency and cross-border credentials. Fluent in English and French, she is approved by the French Embassy in Dubai, the British Embassy, and the American Embassy in Abu Dhabi for consultancy and to represent their citizens in individual cases, underscoring a recognized capacity to collaborate with foreign governments and clients. In addition to her litigation work, she maintains membership with the Lawyers Union in Dubai Court and with the Ministry of Justice, indicating ongoing engagement with professional regulatory bodies. This combination of court-level practice, international engagement, and leadership within the firm positions her as a central figure in the UAE’s criminal defense and broader civil and commercial litigation landscape. Her role as Owner and the firm’s public-facing leadership suggests a strategic focus on delivering comprehensive legal services while maintaining a footprint across Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s judicial processes.
Awatif Al Khouri’s professional focus centers on Criminal Law as a core area of practice, reflecting her long-standing involvement in the UAE’s criminal defense and related proceedings. The firm’s expertise pages also indicate a broad suite of practice areas beyond criminal law, including Civil Law, Family Law, Commercial Law, Construction Law, Maritime Law, Property Law, Labour Law, and Litigation Law, among others, illustrating a multidisciplinary approach to dispute resolution and advisory work. This combination suggests that while criminal defense is a principal pillar, Awatif Al Khouri and her team engage in a wide range of contemporary legal matters that impact individuals and corporate clients alike. The firm’s capabilities span regulatory and civil litigation needs, with experience in arbitration, expert reports and opinions, and complex transactional matters, reflecting an integrated service model designed to support clients from inception through resolution. The international dimension of her practice is reinforced by embassy-level approvals for representing citizens of foreign states in UAE matters, which complements the domestic criminal and civil practice with cross-border legal workflows and collaboration with international clients. Languages and regulatory affiliations further support a practice that is oriented toward diverse clients, cross-border disputes, and the navigation of UAE courts and regulatory frameworks for both individuals and organizations.
Awatif Al Khouri’s primary area of expertise is Criminal Law, with extensive involvement in criminal defense and related proceedings in the UAE.
She is licensed to represent clients in all courts of the United Arab Emirates, from the Courts of First Instance to the Supreme Court.
She has been recognized as an awardee under M&A Today in 2017 and named Family Lawyer of the Year by The Lawyer International Legal 100 Awards.
Yes, she is approved by the French, British, and American Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to represent their citizens and engage with international clients.
Her firm also specializes in Civil, Family, Commercial, Construction, Maritime, Property, Labour Law, and Litigation Law, among others.
She began practicing law in 1989 and founded her firm in 2003, giving her over three decades of legal experience.
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