Senior Legal Advisor/ Legal Expert / Legislative Reformer

SHAIMA ABU BAKER

Senior Legal Advisor/ Legal Expert / Legislative Reformer

PERSONAL INFORMATION
·  Experience: 12 years
·  Date and Place of Birth: Kuwait- Sep 14, 1980
·  Nationality: Jordanian
·  Marital Status: Single
·  Gender: Female
·  Mob: +971505812848
·  E-mail:
CAREER PROFILE
The extensive 12 years of experiences in law, business and leadership in both public and private sectors as well as at international level offers me an outstanding opportunity to make a positive contribution to any organizations at any fields. It qualifies me to bring unique experience to the multiple areas of law and legal services.
I have experience in and the versatility to handle diverse areas of local and international laws (Commercial, civil, criminal, social, etc.); I dealt with many legislative reforms and legislative policy making-rulemaking to enhance competitiveness. I handled complex litigations, drafting and negotiating of contracts, drafting bylaws and policies and advising on issues relating to compliance within the entities and on a country level with International conventions and laws. I have excellent knowledge and experience in benchmarking legislations and procedures against best practices and international standards, not only to make sure that regulations are up to date but also tailored to the UAE needs in commercial, civil, social, criminal areas and other specific fields related to gender, rule of law, etc.
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
·  Outstanding abilities to analyze problems, identify gaps and generate solutions/reforms for the same
·  Possess advanced negotiation and excellent written and verbal communication skills
·  In-depth knowledge of local and international laws as well as legal practices and procedures
·  Possess excellent management and organizational skills
·  In-depth knowledge of drafting contracts, regulations, resolutions and legal notices, reforming legislations and benchmark against international best practices
·  Ability to generate strategic planning and work under pressure
·  I can be called upon to contribute outside the area to which I am assigned
EDUCATIONAL SUMMARY
1-  Master’s degree in International Business Law, Paris Sorbonne University, Nov 09-Jul 10.
2-  Master’s degree in International Law, Diplomacy and International Relations, Paris Sorbonne University, Oct 08-Jul 09.
3-  Bachelor’s degree in Law, the University of Jordan, Oct 98-Jul 02.
4-  Diploma in International Nuclear Law, the University of Montpellier 1 & OECD, France Aug 11.
5-  Diploma in International Human Rights Law, Cornell University Law School-USA, France Jul 10.
6-  Diploma in Federalism, Constitutionalism, Decentralization, Diversity and Conflict Transformation in Multicultural Societies, the University of Fribourg, Switzerland Aug-Sep 05.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES SUMMARY

• Senior Legal Advisor, the Emirates Competitiveness Council , the Minister of State Office and Dubai Expo 2020Oct 2012 - Present

Highlights of Contributions:

1-  Assessed the impact of new legislations, bills, decrees, policies, and regulations on the UAE Rank in the Global Competitiveness Reports (The Ease of Doing Business Report of the World Bank, the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Reports, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, the World Justice Project-Rule of Law Index, the Human Development Report and OECD Gender Gaps Report, etc.)

2-  Reviewed UAE legislations and policies, highlighted the gaps in practice and in legislations through benchmarking against international obligations and best practices, and proposed tailored made reforms in diverse legal specialties.

3-  Conducted in-depth research to several bills/lawsi.e. the SMEs Law, the Companies Law, the Competition Law, the Penal Code, Penitentiary Establishment Law, Labor Law, the real estate regulations, e-commerce regulations, the Civil Procedures Law, the bankruptcy law, the Notary Public Law, the Law Regulating the Legal Profession, etc.

4-  Was seconded to Dubai Courts to simplify their procedures in enforcing contracts and resolving Insolvency and to recommend reforms.

5-  Joined the UAE delegation to the World Bank-Washington DC in March 2014 to challenge the Ease of Doing Business Report’s methodology and to provide explanation and evidences on UAE performance development in two different areas Enforcing Contracts and Resolving Insolvency. I delivered presentations benchmarking UAE legislations against the laws of France and Germany.

6-  Proposed Rule of Law initiatives and advocated for legal reforms in collaboration with federal and local governmental entities to boost the UAE rank and performance in the Global Competitiveness Reports.

7-  Drafted contracts, agreements, MOUs for the three entities including Dubai Expo 2020 contracts when Dubai was a candidate city and after Dubai won the bid to host the World Expo 2020.

8-  Developed bylaws and policies for the three entities relating to HR, purchase and contracting, privacy policies, internship programs, etc.

9-  Advised on issues related to intellectual property, human rights, gender, labor, women empowerment, etc. proposed reforms, and drafted several right of reply to international organizations.

• Legal Advisor-Internship, the International Renewable Energy Agency-IRENA Nov 2009-March 2010

Highlights of Contributions:

1-  Drafted Agreements and Contracts between IRENA and the UAE Government regarding the enforcement of the UAE Bid Offer to host the Headquarter Office of IRENA in Abu Dhabi.

2-  Proposed and drafted resolutions to be adopted by the General Assembly of IRENA in the Third Session of the Preparatory Commission in regards to the Signatory States that have not ratified IRENA Statute before its entry into force.

3-  Developed and drafted policies and contract between IRENA and the member states during the interim Period.

4-  Advised on international conventions, organizations and the UN Regulations, UN System and other international law matters.

• Senior Training Officer, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi – HAAD Sep 2007-Sep 2012

Highlights of Contributions:

1-  Participated in reviewing and amending HR and training policies

2-  Participated in drafting and reviewing training contracts, procurement procedures and involved in the bids evaluation committees.

3-  Delivered, designed, and organized training courses in various areas in law, management, leadership, interpersonal skills, and medical training programs.

4-  Conducted training needs analysis for more than 350 employees, created and designed special development programs for UAE Nationals at managerial and entry levels as well as for internship students.

• Legal Advisor, Business Development & Training Manager, Talal Abu Ghazaleh International-TAGOrg - UAESep 2006 - Sep 2007

Highlights of Contributions:

1-  Drafted Contracts and Agreements between the company and multinational clients from private and public sectors.

2-  Advised clients on intellectual property rights protection in the UAE and globally, and proposed proper course of actions against infringements of clients’ rights.

3-  Developed business strategies, public relations and marketing plans for all TAGorg sister companies in the UAE.

4-  Strengthened the business relations of the company with public and private sectors, fueled the business with new relationships and new business deals.

5-  Was reporting to the Chairman of the organization, H.E. Mr. Talal Abu Ghazaleh.

• Manager, Abu Ghazaleh Intellectual Property Company- AGIP, Jordan Jun 2006 - Jul 2006

Asia Liaison Office Officer- The Regional Office - AGIP Sep 2003 - Nov 2004

Highlights of Contributions:

1-  Advised local and multinational clients in Jordan and worldwide on the protection of their intellectual properties in Jordan and in over 30 countries in Asia.

2-  Represented clients before the Intellectual Property Office, the Ministry of Economy in Jordan, and before the courts.

3-  Drafted claims, infringement reports, and legal evidences and documentsfor litigations.

4-  Follow up on client’s IPs applications and lawsuits with the lawyers working on behalf of our clients in Asia.

5-  Developed marketing strategies and business plans to increase the market share of AGIP, developed informative leaflets and brochures for intellectual property registrations which included legal information on the IPs registration laws and procedures in more than 30 Asian countries.

6-  Client’s relations.

7-  Lead and managed a team of 22 employees with a minimum of Bachelor degree when I was 26 years old.

8-  I was reporting to the Chairman, H.E. Talal Abu Ghazaleh

• Quality Control Officer (Head of Quality Control Department)

Legal Correspondence Controller-IPs

The Regional Office - Abu Ghazaleh Intellectual Property-AGIP, JordanNov 2004 - Jun 2006

1-  Worked as compliance/auditor. Conducted auditing visits to Talal Abu Ghazaleh Companies in Egypt and Syria.

2-  Established the Quality Department for AGIP, created quality standards for client’s relations, contracts, correspondence and intellectual property proceedings, and developed correspondence and procedures manual for the staff.

3-  Quality Control and assurance over the IPs legal correspondence and procedures in60 AGIP branches in all over the world including legal compliance with IPs laws and the IPs international conventions.

4-  Created competitive environment for quality achievements.

5-  Drafted quality reports highlighted performance gaps and proposed improvements.

6-  Assured the quality of the written internal and external communications and procedures within the offices and with clients.

7-  Assured the accuracy of legal information provided to clients, lawyers and the IPs Offices in all over the World.

8-  Drafted and prepared performance reports on a monthly basis. I was reporting directly to H.E. Mr. Talal Abu Ghazaleh, the Chairman of TAGorg.

• Lawyer-trainee, H.E. Dr. Kamal Nasser, Former Minister of Development, Legal Company and the Jordanian Bar Association –Jordan Sep 2002-Sep 2004
• Lawyer-trainee and Partner, Abdulrahman Abu Baker Legal Company Jul 1998-Sep 2006

Highlights of Contributions:

1-  Got permission from the Jordanian Bar Association to plead and litigate before the Conciliation Court and the Court of First Instance.

2-  Advised clients in regards to business transactions, legal rights and obligations.

3-  Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.

4-  Analyzed probable outcomes of cases based onknowledge of legal precedents, evaluated findings, gathered evidences and developed strategies and arguments in preparation for litigations.

5-  Advised clients on business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.

6-  Represented clients before the court and before governmentalentities.

7-  Prepared and drafted legal documents, contracts and business agreements.

8-  Prepared legal briefs and opinions, and filed appeals in courts.

9-  Negotiated settlements of commercial, labor and civil disputes.

10-  Performed administrative and management functions related to the practice of law, and supervised other lawyers and trainees.

11-  Worked in environmental law & human rights law, represented public interest groups and opinions.

INDEPENDENT WORLDWIDE COURSEWORK

1-  Advanced Negotiation Skills, by Harvard Law School-Harvard Negotiation Institute, Boston-USA (2-6 June 2014)

2-  The Intensive UN Summer Program for International Young Politicians, Lawyers, and Diplomats, by the United Nations and Seton Hall University, USA-New York (Jul 2013)

3-  The International Humanitarian Law and International Development, by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law and the UN, Geneva-Switzerland &San Remo-Italy (27 Jun-29 Jul 2011)

4-  Public International Law, by the Hague Academy for International Law & the International Court of Justice, Hague-Netherlands (26 Jul-15 Aug 2009)

5-  The Intercultural Dialogue & Solidarity In The Mediterranean: Human Rights Education & Intercultural Learning, by the Council of Europe, Directorate of Youth & Sport,Hungary-Budapest (Sep 2002).

6-  The Arab Youth Leaders: Democratic Theory & Practice & Human Rights, by the Danish Youth Council, Denmark-Copenhagen (Sep 2000)

7-  Introduction to Organizing International Activities, by the Council of Europe-The European Youth Centre, France-Strasbourg (April 2002).

8-  Web-based Course on Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations and Fiscal Decentralization, by the World Bank Institute, USA-Washington DC (May 2003).

9-  Advanced Presentation for TV Programs, by Twofour54, UAE-Abu Dhabi (Sep 2010)

10-  French Language Diploma, by Paris Sorbonne University, UAE-Abu Dhabi (Oct 2010-Jan 2011)

11-  French Language, by Alliance Française Paris Ile-de-France, France-Paris (June & Jul 2010)

12-  Emotional Intelligence, by the Knowledge Brokers, UAE-Abu Dhabi (Oct 2009)

13-  Mind Mapping, by the Knowledge Brokers, UAE-Abu Dhabi (Jul 2009)

14-  International Business Etiquette, by the Finishing Touch Academy, UAE-Abu Dhabi (May 2009)

15-  Body Language, by the LOGIC Training Center, UAE-Abu Dhabi (April 2009)

16-  Training Evaluation and Measuring ROI, by ECOMAN, UAE-Dubai (Nov 2009)

17-  Leadership Program, by Save Children Association-INJAZ, Jordan-Amman (May 2002)

18-  How to Set up Your Own Business, by Save Children Association-INJAZ, Jordan-Amman (May 2002)

19-  Speed Reading and Better Memory, by ERAM International, UAE-Abu Dhabi (Mar 2009)

20-  Linking Training Into Organization's Strategies, by GLOMACS International, UAE-Dubai (Nov 2008)

21-  Landmines, by the Landmines Survivors, Jordan-Amman, (Nov 2001)

22-  Rehabilitation of Homeless Children, Questscope Organization, Jordan-Amman (Dec 2002)

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AND VOLUNTARY WORK

1-  The 3rd International Conference of Federalism, by the Belgian Federal Council and the EU Parliament, Belgium-Brussels(2-5 March 2005).

2-  The 2nd International Conference on Federalism, by the Swiss Federal Council and St. Gallen University, Switzerland-Zurich (27-30 Aug 2002)

3-  The 5th International Youth Leadership Conference, by the International Youth Leadership Conference, Check Republic-Prague(27 Jul27-1 Aug2003).

4-  The World Youth Forum: Culture for Dialogue and Peace, by UNESCO, Poland-Krakow (July 2002).

5-  WIPO National Seminar on Intellectual Property, by WIPO, Jordan-Amman, (April 2002)

6-  How to be in an Organization, by the Youth Exchange Club, Turkey-Dalyan (August 2001)

7-  The 1st International Conference of Students Representatives for Sustainable Development, by Youth for Habitat International, Turkey-Adana, (Feb 2000).

8-  The Global Conference for Religions Conversation, by the Royal Institute for Religious Studies, Jordan-Amman(September 1999)

9-  The International Euro-Med Youth Conference, by the Youth Action for peace, Jordan-Aqaba (September 1999)

10-  The Global Movement for Children: Say Yes For Children Campaign, by UNICEF, Jordan-Amman (Jun 2001)

11-  The Scout Movement, the Ministry of Education, (1988 to 1997)

12-  The Jordanian Youth Forum, by UNICEF, (Nov 1999)

13-  The Jordanian Parliament for Children, UNICEF & Jordanian Woman Union, Jordan-Amman (Jan 1998)

14-  Volunteered in the Jordanian Environment Society (1993-1996)

15-  Volunteered in Queen Noor Al Hussein Foundation, the Less Fortunate People Project, (1993-1994)

16-  Volunteered in the Social Services Office-the University of Jordan, (2000-2002)

SOCIAL IMPACT THROUGH MEDIA

Was invited as a guest in several TV programs on multinational TV channels, Radio and Newspapers: