Michael Farchakh

Michael is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution and Engineering & Construction practices in Dubai. Prior to joining Hadef & Partners, Michael practiced with a number of international law firms in Paris, Dubai and Beirut. He has experience working on commercial arbitration and litigation matters throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle-East, particularly in the construction and oil & gas industries.

Michael has also advised on issues of public international law and international investment law. Michael holds an LL.B. from the Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth and graduate degrees from the Washington University School of Law, the Sorbonne School of Law and the University of Paris East. He is admitted to the Beirut, New York, and United States Supreme Court Bars and is also a registered legal practitioner with the DIFC Courts. Michael is fluent in Arabic, English and French.

Admissions

Beirut Bar Association
New York State Bar
United States Supreme Court Bar
Member of the Hadef & Partners Brand & Marketing Committee
Member of the Hadef & Partners Sports & Social Committee

Representing a major Middle-Eastern contractor in an ADCCAC Arbitration arising out of the construction of a mega project in Abu Dhabi involving complex issues of UAE law.
Acting for a major insurance company in a DIAC arbitration arising out of performance guarantees issued in connection with a construction project in Abu Dhabi.
Acting for a developer in an Ad Hoc Sharjah-seated arbitration commenced by a contractor in relation to the conversion of a mall into a hospital.
Representing a ship-owner against a charterer in a DIAC arbitration arising out of a Charter Party Agreement
Advising Drake & Scull International PJSC in a first of its kind restructuring under the Emergency Restructuring Procedures introduced in the wake of financial instability caused by the 2020 pandemic.
Representing a Middle-Eastern Contractor in mediation proceedings against a National Oil Company in relation to the improper termination of a services and maintenance contract.
Advising a major Asian telecommunication company on Abu Dhabi court proceedings against a local sub-contractor in the UAE.
Advising a North American technology company on the successful termination of its local agents in the UAE by way of proceedings before the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Advising a Middle-Eastern Government on the potential commencement of interstate arbitration against a South Asian state under the terms of a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Representing a group of expropriated Arab investors in an Arbitration against a North African State arising out of the OIC Investment Treaty.
Acting for a Lebanese MEP consultant in an ICC arbitration against a Turkish principal consultant arising out of the non-payment of fees relating to the design of an entertainment venue in Qatar.
Conducting an investigation into an African Client’s business operations in the Middle-East in relation to accusations of terrorism financing by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Admissions

Beirut Bar Association
New York State Bar
United States Supreme Court Bar
Member of the Hadef & Partners Brand & Marketing Committee
Member of the Hadef & Partners Sports & Social Committee

Representing a major Middle-Eastern contractor in an ADCCAC Arbitration arising out of the construction of a mega project in Abu Dhabi involving complex issues of UAE law.
Acting for a major insurance company in a DIAC arbitration arising out of performance guarantees issued in connection with a construction project in Abu Dhabi.
Acting for a developer in an Ad Hoc Sharjah-seated arbitration commenced by a contractor in relation to the conversion of a mall into a hospital.
Representing a ship-owner against a charterer in a DIAC arbitration arising out of a Charter Party Agreement
Advising Drake & Scull International PJSC in a first of its kind restructuring under the Emergency Restructuring Procedures introduced in the wake of financial instability caused by the 2020 pandemic.
Representing a Middle-Eastern Contractor in mediation proceedings against a National Oil Company in relation to the improper termination of a services and maintenance contract.
Advising a major Asian telecommunication company on Abu Dhabi court proceedings against a local sub-contractor in the UAE.
Advising a North American technology company on the successful termination of its local agents in the UAE by way of proceedings before the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Advising a Middle-Eastern Government on the potential commencement of interstate arbitration against a South Asian state under the terms of a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Representing a group of expropriated Arab investors in an Arbitration against a North African State arising out of the OIC Investment Treaty.
Acting for a Lebanese MEP consultant in an ICC arbitration against a Turkish principal consultant arising out of the non-payment of fees relating to the design of an entertainment venue in Qatar.
Conducting an investigation into an African Client’s business operations in the Middle-East in relation to accusations of terrorism financing by the U.S. Department of Justice.