Our Team

Dr. Al Shawaf is the Managing Partner of Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm, a leading full-service corporate law firm in Saudi Arabia. He is one of the leading practitioners in the Saudi market, and advises clients across a broad range of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution matters and has extensive experience navigating complex legal and business environments.

On the contentious side, Dr. Al Shawaf has represented major domestic and international clients, including Huawei, Tekfen, Sansui, Pizza Hut, Olayan Group and Incom (Italy), in significant litigation and arbitration proceedings involving multi-million-riyal disputes. He has also acted as a mediator in complex commercial matters, drawing on his understanding of Saudi commercial law and broader industry experience to provide practical and strategic advice.

In addition to his role at Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm, Dr. Al Shawaf has significant intellectual property and corporate governance experience. He serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of MERAAS MENA IP and is a Partner at MERAAS ARABIA IP, where he is a licensed lawyer and IP agent in Saudi Arabia. He also serves on the boards of several industrial and commercial companies.

Dr. Al Shawaf is a member of the Saudi Arabian Bar and the Arbitration Committee of the GCC. He has also contributed to legal education as a lecturer at Prince Sultan University in Riyadh.

Yassin is the CEO of MERAAS MENA IP and MERAAS ARABIA IP. With over 34 years of substantial experience overseeing intellectual property operations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, he has established himself as a distinguished leader.

He actively involves and serves the IP community in various professional associations, such as JIPA, INTA, AIPLA, PTMG, AIPPI, APPIMAF, and MARQUES. Furthermore, he is a member of INTA’s Global Advisory Council for the Middle East, the Anticounterfeiting Committee, and the Middle East and Africa Subcommittee.

Yassin’s extensive experience encompasses senior positions in prominent organizations in different Middle Eastern countries. Through these diverse leadership roles, he has acquired valuable insights and developed innovative operational strategies that have been crucial to MERAAS IP’s growth and success. His ability to tackle complex challenges has established a solid foundation for the company’s ongoing progress. Yassin’s steadfast dedication to excellence and visionary leadership are the driving force behind MERAAS IP’s success and client service, making him an indispensable part of the firm’s leadership team.

He advises clients on a broad range of complex legal matters, including intellectual property protection and enforcement, commercial disputes, strategic transactions, licensing arrangements, and high-value litigation. His practice encompasses the management of sophisticated IP portfolios, the resolution of complex intellectual property disputes, and the development of tailored legal strategies designed to protect and enhance the value of clients’ intangible assets.

Throughout his career, Shawaf has handled high-stakes transactions and arbitration proceedings across various sectors. He has represented clients in contentious and non-contentious matters, developed effective litigation and dispute-resolution strategies, and guided businesses through commercially sensitive and legally complex challenges.

Combining strong legal acumen with a deep understanding of the commercial realities facing his clients, Shawaf provides practical, strategic, and results-oriented advice. His ability to assess risks, anticipate potential challenges, and develop innovative legal solutions enables him to support clients effectively in dynamic and increasingly complex business environments.

Through his leadership, sound judgment, and comprehensive knowledge of intellectual property and commercial law, Shawaf makes a valuable contribution to MERAAS MENA IP’s continued pursuit of excellence. His commitment to delivering high-quality legal services and achieving meaningful outcomes reinforces the firm’s position as a trusted partner in intellectual property, commercial matters, litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.