Practice Emphasis
Derek has a broad solicitor’s practice advising a variety of corporate and individual clients across a multitude of sectors.
His practice is primarily focused on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations, joint ventures, and lending and financing. In addition, Derek regularly acts as outside general counsel for his clients advising on day-to-day business issues, including marketing and advertising, corporate governance and the negotiation and drafting of various commercial agreements.
Prior to joining Heyam Alsayed Legal Firm, Derek practiced in the Dubai office of a large national law firm for nearly a decade. He draws on that experience to provide exceptional business and legal counsel to Heyam Alsayed Legal Firm’s clients.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
Derek advises clients on all matters of business transactions including asset purchases, share purchases, divestitures, amalgamations, corporate reorganizations, and various other business arrangements. Derek also assists clients with the negotiation and drafting of various commercial agreements, including distribution agreements, products and services agreements, co-packing agreements, consulting agreements, and licensing agreements.
Lending & Financing
Derek acts for both borrowers and lenders in a multitude of lending transactions, including transactions involving business and real estate acquisitions and refinancing.
Incorporations, Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Derek has advised clients on all matters of business associations, as well as the creation and implementation of shareholders agreements, partnership agreements and joint ventures.
Marketing and Advertising
Derek helps to structure different types of contests on behalf of marketing companies and consumer goods producers, including the preparation of contest rules. Derek also reviews advertisements appearing in all types of media and evaluates them for misleading advertising compliance in addition to any other industry specific regulatory requirements.
Not-for-Profit and Charities
Derek advises not-for-profit and charity clients on issues regarding incorporation and charitable registration, compliance matters, and audits. Derek also deals extensively with not-for-profit corporate governance and structuring issues, directors’ duties and liabilities, governance best practices, and membership disputes.
Education and Interests
Education
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil Engineering) from Queen’s University in 2002.
- LLB from the University of Western Dubai in 2007.
- Call to the Dubai Bar in 2008.
- Called to the Dubai Bar Association in 2017.
Professional and Civic Interests
- Member of the Dubai Bar Association
- Member of the Dubai Law Society
- Member of the Law Society of Upper U.A.E
- Director of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society