Maria is a Senior Associate based in our Dubai office. She joined the firm in 2015 upon moving to the UAE from a prominent law firm in Greece. Maria brings with her a wide range of experience across the corporate, commercial and construction sectors, with both front end and dispute resolution capabilities. Maria previously successfully advised a leading Greek construction company in the UAE on a commercial dispute and arbitration proceedings under the DIFC-LCIA. On the corporate side Maria recently advised on the incorporation, shareholder agreements and all other supportive documents of a leading Greek construction company in the UAE.

Maria’s extensive involvement in arbitration and court litigation processes, as well as her experience in mergers & acquisitions and privatisation, commercial contracts and agreements enables her to offer clients a comprehensive skill set. Maria’s expertise are multifaceted meaning she can advise on many different aspects of the law. Maria previously advised a UAE hospitality company on all major procurement, supply and services contracts for their local operations. The scope of work undertaken by Maria included drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising various stakeholders on all commercial contracts relevant to the company’s business, developing negotiation strategies, draft board resolutions, and analysing and advising on proposed transactions, distribution and cooperation agreements, MOUs and shareholders agreements. Maria has extensive corporate and commercial experience, she advised a leading international hotel group on regulatory and corporate matters, including the provision of legal opinions, advising on commercial contracts and developing negotiation strategies.

Prior to committing to a career in law, Maria worked in Bucharest, Romania consulting Greek companies who were active in a variety of businesses expanding in the Romanian market, including financial consulting, legal issues, and real estate investment and administration issues. This background gives Maria an invaluable insight into the issues faced by her clients, meaning she can provide well-rounded advice and feasible expectations, which is appreciated by her clients.

Having obtained university degrees in both law and business, Maria’s dual background enables her to have a credible understanding of financial and business principles. Maria regularly speaks at legal and industry-focused conferences and often presents at legal seminars and training events. Maria leads the ‘Knowledge Management’ initiative at Galadari, supervising and handling the firm’s collaboration for the ‘Continued Legal Professional Development Programme’ of the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, for which she advises on training presentations, providing training, organising trainers and sessions.

Maria’s clients include local government entities, private companies, investors as well as contractors and developers. She also has extensive experience with SMEs whom she routinely advises on sales and purchase agreements and transfer of shares transactions, including the negotiations and drafting of all transaction documents.