Habiba Ali
El Sheikh Zayed City
Summary
Accomplished attorney with 6+ years of progressive experience in commercial and corporate law, specializing in legal counseling, contract drafting, and risk mitigation for multinational organizations. Qualified Egyptian Bar member since 2020, with a Master's in Law from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Proven track record in managing complex legal portfolios, negotiating high-value agreements, and advising senior leadership across Egypt, MENA, and sub-Saharan Africa. Recognized for fostering strong client relationships, delivering optimal legal solutions, and excelling in cross-functional, multicultural environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Commercial Attorney
Halliburton Overseas Limited
Egypt
02.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Provide comprehensive legal and commercial counsel to the world's largest oil and gas service company, managing a diverse portfolio of legal matters across multiple regions.
- Advise senior leadership and mitigate legal risks to support business growth and operational excellence.
- Manage all corporate and commercial matters for multiple countries, including entity setups, branch openings (e.g., Benin), and subsidiary reorganizations (e.g., Côte d'Ivoire) in compliance with local content laws.
- Oversee Annual General Meetings (AGMs) for financial statement years in Egypt and Cameroon.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal and commercial documents, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Joint Venture Agreements, Farmouts, NDAs, and Purchase Orders.
- Successfully negotiate complex terms with major clients such as Shell, Schlumberger, Total, ENI, BP, and national oil companies, defending the company against liabilities including indemnities, termination clauses, defective work, and consequential damages.
- Provide legal support for large-scale, integrated projects (e.g., Halliburton Project Management with Shell in Namibia and São Tomé, deep-water services contract with Rhino Resources), resulting in new facilities and customer acquisitions.
- Collaborate with external legal teams on litigation and lead cross-functional teams (HR, business, finance) to analyze labor disputes and litigation cases across Africa and the UAE.
- Advise on legal compliance and regulatory matters, including anti-boycott reporting for Iraq and conflict of laws in government projects (e.g., Uganda).
- Serve as a key liaison between internal business teams, senior management, Board of Trustees, and external counsel.
- Provide comprehensive legal and commercial counsel to the world's largest oil and gas service company, managing a diverse portfolio of legal matters across multiple regions.
- Negotiated and closed high-value contracts with major international clients, directly contributing to business expansion in Africa.
- Led legal compliance initiatives that ensured adherence to local and international regulations, reducing company exposure to legal risks.
Legal Intern
The International Desk, Dr. Hossam Loutfi Law Firm
Cairo, Egypt
05.2017 - 06.2018
- Conducted legal research on jurisprudence and drafted legal documents under supervision.
- Assisted in domestic and cross-border corporate transactions, banking, and finance matters.
- Supported government contracts and international litigation processes in French and English.
- Participated in training on banking products and services; attended court proceedings and maintained organized legal documentation.
Legal Intern
Qatar National Bank
08.2016 - 09.2016
- Supported legal team in research, document drafting, and case file management.
- Gained exposure to banking law and compliance procedures.
Education
Master 2 - Law
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
01.2020
Bachelor of Law - Business Law
Cairo University - IDAI
01.2019
Master 1 - Law
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
01.2019
High School Diploma -
Modern School of Egypt
01.2015
Skills
- Legal Counseling & Advice
- Commercial & Corporate Law
- Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Legal Research & Compliance Management
- Risk Mitigation & Litigation Support
- Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-functional Collaboration
- Business Transaction Analysis & Strategy
- Case Management & Litigation
- Effective Communication & Problem Solving
Websites
Languages
Arabic (Native)
English (C2)
French (C2)
Awards
5 Years Service Award, Halliburton
Hobbies and Interests
- Singing
- Playing Music
- Sports
Certifications Courses
DELF B2 Languages, Institut D'Egypte, 01/01/12
Timeline
Commercial Attorney
Halliburton Overseas Limited
02.2021 - Current
Legal Intern
The International Desk, Dr. Hossam Loutfi Law Firm
05.2017 - 06.2018
Legal Intern
Qatar National Bank
08.2016 - 09.2016
Master 2 - Law
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Bachelor of Law - Business Law
Cairo University - IDAI
Master 1 - Law
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
High School Diploma -
Modern School of Egypt