Patrick Obeid
Senior Associate

Patrick is a Senior Associate at Meysan’s Beirut office, with over 20 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. Additionally, he serves as General Counsel on a secondment basis to National Real Estate Co., one of the largest listed real estate companies in Kuwait, with significant investments in the MENA.

Patrick provides comprehensive legal counsel and expert guidance across a broad spectrum of domestic and cross-border transactions. Patrick has a proven track record in advising both multinational corporations and local enterprises on high-profile acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, and complex franchising and distribution agreements. He also has significant expertise in data privacy and real estate matters. With a deep understanding of both international and GCC legal landscapes, Patrick is skilled at delivering strategic solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of clients operating in diverse regulatory environments.

Patrick has been recognized by The Legal 500 for his expertise, earning the titles of Rising Star Lawyer in 2020, 2022, and 2023, and Next Generation Lawyer in 2018.

Prior to joining Meysan in 2021, Patrick held senior associate positions at renowned top-tier regional law firms. During this time, he gained significant experience in managing high-value transactions and complex legal matters across Lebanon and the MENA region. Notably, he also served as the seconded legal advisor to a prominent GCC bank in Lebanon, where he provided strategic legal counsel on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and complex financial transactions.

Professional Bodies

  • Beirut Bar Association (Member since 2006)
  • Paris Bar Association (Barreau de Paris, admitted in 2022 via the knowledge assessment exam under Article 100 of Decree No. 91-1197 of November 27, 1991, and the Order of January 7, 1993)

Education

  • Master’s in Management – ESCP Europe, Paris, France
  • MBA (Master of Business Administration) – École Supérieure des Affaires (ESA), Business School, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Master’s in Civil and Commercial Law (specializing in banking and financial markets law) – Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon (Accredited by Université Paris Panthéon Assas)
  • Bachelor of Law – Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

Practices

  • Corporate and M&A
  • Banking and Finance
  • Private Wealth
  • Project Finance
  • Dispute Resolution
EXPERIENCE
  • Assisted in the USD 4.1 billion sale of a global integrated logistics business of a Kuwait-based company to a Danish entity (IFLR Middle East Awards 2022 – M&A Deal of the Year).
  • Provided legal counsel on the acquisition of a British education provider in Abu Dhabi by a major UAE-based educational group.
  • Provided legal counsel on the ongoing operational management of a USD 1.2 billion retail, leisure, dining, and entertainment mall project in Abu Dhabi (Reem Mall).
  • Advised a leading Bahraini telecommunications company on the acquisition of a Kuwait-based telecom entity with subsidiaries across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Assisted with the sale of a Cayman-registered holding entity, which owned a prominent equipment and machinery leasing company in Egypt.
  • Advised on corporate restructuring for companies across Kuwait, UAE, and KSA for consolidation and optimization purposes.
  • Advised clients on employment law matters under Kuwaiti, KSA, UAE, DIFC, and ADGM regulations, including benefits, terminations, and severance packages.
  • Supported sustainability and clean energy projects in Abu Dhabi, focusing on circular economy and renewable technology solutions.
  • Structured and negotiated various commercial agreements, including distribution, commercial representation, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, and real estate transactions.
  • Led legal advisory on the sale of NREC’s investment in Erbil, Iraq, in compliance with Kurdistan’s investment regulations.
  • Oversaw the sale of NREC’s investment in Lahore, Pakistan, through a Cayman share sale transaction.
  • Managed real estate contracts and operations for NREC’s assets across Kuwait, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and the UAE.
  • Provided strategic guidance to the Board of Directors on corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory matters.
  • Ensured adherence to Capital Markets Authority (CMA) regulations in Kuwait and internal governance policies, including ethics, anti-bribery, AML, and whistleblower policies.
  • Supervised litigation across multiple jurisdictions (Pakistan, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt), coordinating with external legal counsel and overseeing pleadings and legal submissions.
  • Provided legal counsel on complex cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, and restructurings, advising international clients across the MENA region.
  • Assisted clients in navigating local regulations in the UAE, Kuwait, and Lebanon, including labor law compliance, joint venture structuring, and real estate developments.
  • Managed high-profile dispute resolution cases, including advising on arbitration and litigation matters across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Delivered strategic advice on banking and finance transactions, focusing on regulatory compliance, restructuring, and capital markets in the GCC region.
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UAE expands the pool of private sector establishments subject to Emiratization targets
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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization announced yesterday that the Government’s Emiratization drive now includes private companies with 20 to 49 employees. This expansion applies to companies across 14 economic sectors, including, inter alia, real estate, education, construction, and healthcare. Previously, only companies with 50 or more employees were… Read more

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Ministry of Finance Issues New Ministerial Decisions Relating to Corporate Tax
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The UAE Ministry of Finance consistently introduces a series of new Ministerial Decisions under Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. These decisions have a collective objective of bolstering the regulatory framework governing corporate and business taxation in the UAE. By offering clearer guidelines… Read more