Dubai 
ParisCVML Shortlisted at ALB Middle East Law Awards 2026
CVML has been named a finalist in two categories at the ALB Middle East Law Awards 2026.The firm is one of seven finalists for Transactional Boutique Law Firm of the Year, and Managing Partner Charbel (Charles) Dersahakian is a finalist for Managing Partner of the Year (UAE).
Now in their sixth year, the awards are run by Asian Legal Business, the legal title of Thomson Reuters. ALB's researchers draw up the shortlists, and an independent panel of more than 25 general counsel and legal leaders chooses the winners. They will be named in Dubai on 5 November 2026.
A partner on every deal
The Dubai team is small by design, and a partner runs every deal from the first call to closing. Clients deal with the person who signs the advice, not a chain of associates.
That model reflects the nature of the work entrusted to CVML by its clients, spanning acquisitions and investments, corporate structuring, joint ventures, real estate and franchise transactions, often across multiple jurisdictions.
Managing Partner of the Year (UAE)
Charbel Dersahakian came to private practice from the client's side of the table. As Chief Legal Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) and Legal Director of TECOM, he handled investment, free-zone and government-linked work for years. Clients draw on that experience whenever a deal involves a regulator, a free zone or a state-owned counterparty.
"From the start, our bet has been simple: clients want a senior lawyer on their deal, not a layer of associates, and one team that sees the transaction through from start to finish, whichever jurisdictions it touches. That is still how we work today. Seeing CVML shortlisted alongside some of the region's largest firms tells us the bet was right. The credit belongs to our team, and to the clients who keep coming back to us."
Charbel Dersahakian, Managing Partner, CVML Dubai
CVML congratulates its fellow finalists and thanks the ALB research team and judges. The full shortlist is on the ALB Middle East Law Awards 2026 page, and CVML's earlier recognitions are on its awards page.
About CVML. CVML is an international business law firm based in the DIFC, Dubai. It advises companies, investors, family groups and founders on corporate and M&A, real estate, franchise and commercial matters, in English, French and Arabic. Contact CVML Dubai.
