Abdullah Swaiti
King Abdullah Economic City,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Accomplished legal executive with extensive expertise in executive legal leadership and strategy, corporate governance, and regulatory affairs. Demonstrates a strong track record in transactional leadership, risk management, and litigation management. Skilled in reviewing complex legal documents, managing high volumes of deals, and negotiating out-of-court settlements. Adept at leading departmental transformation and ensuring corporate and legal compliance. Committed to strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to drive business success.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Head of Legal
Emaar, the Economic City (EEC)
King Abdullah Economic City
12.2023 - 09.2025
- Transformed the legal department into a high-performance function, cutting litigation exposure from SAR 700M to under SAR 100M and achieving a 76% litigation win rate.
- Oversaw 5,500+ annual transactions with 99% SLA compliance, embedding operational efficiency and risk controls.
- Championed policy reforms, and ethical compliance, while mentoring and developing a junior team into a high-performing legal team.
- Negotiated strategic settlements that reduced liabilities by 64% in high-risk cases while defending all claims to protect company interests.
- Strengthened governance and compliance by ensuring CMA/auditor alignment, handling all board/shareholder inquiries with precision and transparency.
- Built strong partnerships with regulators, government entities, investors, and service providers, positioning EEC as a trusted stakeholder in the Economic City and Special Economic Zone.
Senior Advisor to CEO and CSO – Director of Projects and Transaction
WTTCO (Government owned entity)
Riyadh
05.2023 - 12.2023
- Spearheaded PPP transaction management, structuring deals and financial models that secured operational efficiency and project success.
- Negotiated with banks, investors, and EPC contractors, achieving favorable agreements and cost savings.
- Cultivated strategic government relationships (SWCC, NWC, Aramco) and aligned finance, engineering, and legal teams to deliver seamless project execution.
Legal Director - Head of Projects and Commercial Transactions
Ajlan & Bros Holding Group Company
Riyadh
06.2021 - 05.2023
- Managed 40-50 transactions per month in 30 sectors like medical, consistently achieving precise results and boosting efficiency for over 100 global companies.
- Reduced costs by millions through in-house legal services and strategic management of legal affairs for projects, deals, and SPVs.
- Implemented strategic legal solutions in-house, achieving multi-million dollar savings for the company.
- Led and implemented strategies for deals and projects totaling over $5 billion, achieving optimal financial, technical and strategic objectives.
Counsel
Linklaters
Riyadh
11.2019 - 06.2021
- Advised governments and multinationals on compliance, governance, and disputes, aligning legal advice with commercial strategy.
- Managed 40+ complex legal matters monthly, resolving disputes across MENA & Europe while reducing reliance on litigation.
- Collaborated with legislators to draft key governance, property, and procurement laws, enhancing Saudi legal frameworks.
Senior Associate (Projects and Construction Lead)
Macpherson Kelley
Melbourne
01.2018 - 11.2019
- Spearheaded complex projects and construction litigation across Australia and Asia, enhancing team efficiency and client satisfaction while mentoring legal talent.
- Successfully advocated for clients in federal and state courts, coordinating with local counsel across Asia to secure favorable outcomes in high-stakes legal disputes.
- Drafted precise statements of claim and essential litigation documents, ensuring compliance and accuracy for successful case resolutions.
- Conducted thorough legal research to align case strategies with applicable laws and precedents, improving the potential for positive client outcomes.
Senior Associate (Projects and Construction)
Minter Ellison
Sydney & Canberra
12.2014 - 01.2018
- Directed legal strategy for complex construction projects, ensuring compliance and improving project delivery across Asia-Pacific.
- Advocated in federal and state courts, securing favorable outcomes in major disputes.
- Negotiated high-value project agreements within financing frameworks, safeguarding commercial interests.
- Advised clients on governance and risk, strengthening compliance and stakeholder confidence.
Senior Manager (Lawyer)
Ernst & Young
Sydney & Canberra
12.2013 - 12.2014
- Drafted and negotiated PPP agreements, ensuring compliance and contributing to successful infrastructure delivery.
- Provided strategic legal counsel to multinationals, driving compliance and operational efficiency across multiple sectors.
- Integrated legal and commercial insights in healthcare, defense, mining, and ICT, influencing critical business decisions.
Lawyer (fixed term contract)
Dentons
Sydney
04.2013 - 11.2013
- Represented clients in complex commercial disputes, achieving decisive courtroom victories.
- Produced precise litigation documents and pleadings, improving compliance and success rates.
Associate to the Chief Magistrate (fixed term contract)
The Courts of the Australian Capital Territory
Canberra
02.2012 - 03.2013
- Delivered high-quality legal research and drafting, strengthening judicial decision-making.
- Reviewed and assessed applications, injunctions, and pleadings, improving accuracy of court proceedings.
Tutor (Sports Law and Contracts Law)
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane
02.2011 - 12.2011
- Designed and delivered courses in Contracts and Sports Law, aligning content with academic and professional standards.
- Mentored and supported students through feedback and curriculum guidance, improving academic outcomes.
Senior Projects and Procurement Manager
Gold Coast City Council
Gold Coast
10.2009 - 01.2011
- Built vendor partnerships that reduced costs and expanded capability, improving project delivery.
- Delivered complex infrastructure projects on time and within quality/safety standards, ensuring compliance.
- Provided strategic guidance to senior leadership, addressing technical and procurement challenges.
- Led projects through full lifecycle management, from procurement to successful commissioning.
Project Recovery Specialist then Commercial Director (Australasia)
Hatch Associates
Brisbane and Australasia
10.2004 - 10.2009
- Appointed as a Project Recovery Specialist to lead the turnaround of underperforming projects, successfully stabilizing delivery timelines, controlling costs, and restoring client confidence.
- Promoted to Commercial Director based on performance, assuming executive responsibility for commercial strategy, market positioning, and operational alignment across regional projects.
- Designed and implemented strategic programs to align business operations with growth targets, contributing to expanded market share and new revenue channels.
- Developed and led a commercial training program to upskill project and legal teams, improving delivery standards and reinforcing organizational capabilities.
- Conducted in-depth commercial research and authored business plans to support strategic expansion into new sectors and geographies.
- Oversaw project planning, commercial structuring, and stakeholder coordination to ensure seamless execution and accountability across internal and external teams.
- Directed the control of multi-project budgets, schedules, and KPIs to drive commercial performance, efficiency, and long-term value creation.
Automation and Control Systems Engineer then Project Manager
Schneider Electric
Australia and the Middle East
01.2001 - 10.2004
- Directed project planning and resource allocation to meet critical technical and delivery objectives.
- Authored comprehensive technical documentation to ensure clarity and continuity across project teams.
- Promoted a unified team culture and recognized top performance to enhance project success rates.
- Adapted and realigned project plans to evolving organizational priorities, ensuring seamless execution.
Education
Bachelor of Laws - Honours IIA
Griffith University
02.2007 - 12 2011
Diploma - Project Management (PMBOK - PMP preparation)
The George Washington University
06.2003 - 10 2004
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer
The University of Newcastle
Newcastle 02.2007 - 12 2003
Skills
- Executive Legal Leadership & Strategy
- Corporate Governance & Regulatory Affairs
- Transactional Leadership
- Litigation Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Specialized Legal Expertise
- Corporate Transactions (including Joint Ventures)
- Legal Advisory
- Strategic Planning
- Regulatory Compliance
- Projects and Project Financing
- Reviewing Complex Legal Documents
- Departmental Transformation and Policy Development
- CMA Compliance
- Internal Investigations
- Team Leadership and Development
- Corporate and Legal Compliance
- Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) Management
- Projects and Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property
- Stakeholder Engagement and Management
- Contract Negotiations
- Service Level Agreement (SLA) Implementation
- Public Disclosure Obligations
- Managing a High Volume of Deals
- Negotiating Out-of-Court Settlements
- Infrastructure and Utilities Law
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Structuring
LANGUAGES
English (Native)
Native
Arabic (Fluent)
Upper intermediate
Timeline
Head of Legal
Emaar, the Economic City (EEC)
12.2023 - 09.2025
Senior Advisor to CEO and CSO – Director of Projects and Transaction
WTTCO (Government owned entity)
05.2023 - 12.2023
Legal Director - Head of Projects and Commercial Transactions
Ajlan & Bros Holding Group Company
06.2021 - 05.2023
Counsel
Linklaters
11.2019 - 06.2021
Senior Associate (Projects and Construction Lead)
Macpherson Kelley
01.2018 - 11.2019
Senior Associate (Projects and Construction)
Minter Ellison
12.2014 - 01.2018
Senior Manager (Lawyer)
Ernst & Young
12.2013 - 12.2014
Lawyer (fixed term contract)
Dentons
04.2013 - 11.2013
Associate to the Chief Magistrate (fixed term contract)
The Courts of the Australian Capital Territory
02.2012 - 03.2013
Tutor (Sports Law and Contracts Law)
Queensland University of Technology
02.2011 - 12.2011
Senior Projects and Procurement Manager
Gold Coast City Council
10.2009 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Laws - Honours IIA
Griffith University
02.2007 - 12 2011
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer
The University of Newcastle
02.2007 - 12 2003
Project Recovery Specialist then Commercial Director (Australasia)
Hatch Associates
10.2004 - 10.2009
Diploma - Project Management (PMBOK - PMP preparation)
The George Washington University
06.2003 - 10 2004
Automation and Control Systems Engineer then Project Manager
Schneider Electric
01.2001 - 10.2004
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