Ranked by Chambers & Partners High Net Worth band 1 in a row for four years, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as UAE and MENA top HNW Matrimonial and family law lawyer.

Diana earned her LL.M. degree in Commercial Law from Aberdeen University following her LLB from the UAE University in in AlAin in Sharia & Law. She is a lawyer with right of audience before all UAE Courts including DIFC Courts. Diana is actively engaged in Civil and Commercial matters and her firm is sought by international lawyers and clients for advice on dispute resolution in the UAE on regular basis for representation and for providing Expert Opinions to legal forums in foreign jurisdictions.

Diana’s jurisdiction of expertise is the United Arab Emirates. Her portfolio in the UAE law expert area has been enhanced with practice and experience in both Sharia law and civil laws, and as a speaker on UAE family law in the UAE at specialized forums.

Diana provides expert evidence to many foreign courts and tribunals, appearing in examination and cross examination on Family Law cases in Canada, the Isle of Man, The High Courts of England, Newzealand, Australia and the United States

Practice Areas

Diana Hamade is a highly esteemed legal practitioner renowned for her expertise in various areas of law. As a prominent figure who has the right of audience before all UAE Courts including Dubai Courts & DIFC Courts she has built an excellent reputation for advising high net-worth clients on succession planning, property, immigration and family law issues. Additionally, she has distinguished herself with a diverse practice that spans multiple domains including employment law, corporate & commercial law, as well as rental & real estate.

Career

Diana is one of life’s do-ers. A mother of three, a wife, a philanthropist, a businesswoman, and a successful lawyer - she is the founder of Diana Hamade Attorneys at Law, a boutique law firm based in Dubai. She is UAE licensed lawyer with the right of audience before all UAE Courts. She is licensed by the Ministry of Justice, the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, and a registered practitioner of DIFC Courts. Further, she is also a registered Wills draftsman with the DIFC Wills Service Centre. Beyond her legal endeavors, Diana has extended her influence by appearing on Dubai One, SkyNews Arabia, BBC Arabic, CNN Arabia, and many podcasts to discuss family law. Additionally, she provides valuable advice tailored to women through her magazine column in Villa 88, touching upon subjects such as the Act of Marriage, Invasive Beauty Treatments, and Shopping Online and Offline amongst others to empower her readers. She is slso quoted by many newspapers in the UAE, such as the gulf news, the national and Khaleej times on Family Law.

Professional Memberships

Diana Hamade is an esteemed legal practitioner with an impressive track record, and her dedication to excellence is further enhanced by her active participation in numerous prestigious legal professional memberships. As a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Diana showcases her exceptional expertise in family law matters, particularly in the complex area of child custody. Her commitment to international legal issues is evidenced by her membership in the International Bar Association (IBA), where she actively engages as a member where she has served as the Vice Chair for the IBA Arab Regional Forum. Diana is also a member of the UAE Lawyers Association,where she maintains her ties to the legal community in the United Arab Emirates, advocating for the rights and interests of her clients. Her specialization in estate planning and trust matters is demonstrated through her membership in the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Diana's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession is reflected in her membership with Arbitral Women, an organization that promotes women's involvement in alternative dispute resolution. Additionally, her affiliation with the England Law Society further emphasizes her commitment to upholding the highest professional standards. Notably, Diana's contribution to the legal community extends to her membership in the Academy of Law (AoL) DIFC, where she shares her knowledge and expertise, enriching the legal landscape in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Through her active participation in these esteemed legal professional memberships, Diana Hamade continues to strengthen her legal acumen, foster meaningful connections, and contribute significantly to the advancement of the legal profession. Her dedication to excellence and her commitment to staying at the forefront of legal development make her a highly regarded and respected figure in the legal community.

Publications

Diana Hamade's profound expertise in the legal field is complemented by an impressive collection of publications, reflecting her dedication to sharing her knowledge and insights with the legal community and beyond. Her book "Legally Stylish" published in 2022 is a standout publication, offering a compilation of 12 legal columns that empower women to take charge of their lives and make informed decisions. Demonstrating her commitment to staying up to date with legal developments, Diana has provided commentaries on significant legislation published by LexisNexis. In addition to these commentaries, Diana has contributed to various international legal guides, enhancing the understanding of legal practices in the MENA region. Notable among her contributions are the UAE chapter in the Chambers and Partners Private Wealth Guide 2022 and the MENA Overview Chapter in the International Comparative Legal Guide to International Arbitration 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, her valuable insights on UAE Family Law have been featured in the UAE Family Law Review 2020, and her comparative study of UAE personal status laws, her commentaries on UAE laws in, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 are all published by LexisNexis. Her comprehensive knowledge of family law is further evident in her contributions to "The Family Law Book – Jurisdictional Comparisons," published by Thomson Reuters in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Diana's commitment to informing the public extended to her role as a columnist in various esteemed publications, including the Villa88 magazine, where she authors the "Legally Stylish" column, as well as The National and the 'Brief,' where she shared her expertise on UAE legal affairs and litigation & dispute resolution topics. Her contributions to international legal publications are further exemplified in her authorship of the UAE Chapter on "International Fraud & Asset Tracing, Jurisdictional Comparisons," published by European Lawyer Reference. As a passionate advocate for gender diversity and empowerment, Diana has also addressed crucial topics like "Women Empowerment in the Workplace" in CSR in DERC's Nov. & Dec. issues in 2004. Diana is also featured in the Legal 500 Legal Landscapes on UAE Family Law.

Experience

Diana’s career is marked by a wealth of experience earning her widespread recognition as a leading legal authority in the United Arab Emirates. She holds the distinguished position of a visiting professor at Sorbonne University, where she shares her legal knowledge with future legal practitioners. Her prominence is further highlighted by speaking at prestigious events, such as the "Wills and Probate Seminar 2023" held in DIFC, and the IPBA Annual Conference held in Dubai in 2023, Diana spoke at the Women in the Law of the Arab World event in 2021 where she spoke on the empowerment of women in the legal profession., This dedication is evident in the initiative, "Diana Hamade Thursday Space," where she addresses various legal topics every first Thursday of every month. As one of the founding members of DIFC courts, she has played an instrumental role in establishing the financial center and shaping its legal framework. Notably, Diana has assisted the writing of legislation across the UAE, further solidifying her reputation as a prominent legal figure with a lasting impact on the country's legal landscape.

Work Highlights

Diana Hamade, an accomplished lawyer, has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout her illustrious career. In recognition of her impactful contributions to the legal industry, Diana received the prestigious "Arab Woman Legal Award" in 2016, celebrating her achievements and trailblazing efforts in promoting the role of women in the legal profession. Her dedication to providing legal insights through her publications earned her the "Author Excellence Award" from LexisNexis in 2019, as well as attaining the esteemed title of "Law Firm Leader of the Year" at the Women in Law Awards hosted by LexisNexis in 2021. Her influence and significant contributions to the legal field were further distinguished when she was granted the title of "Most Influential Female Lawyer in the UAE" by Thomson Reuters in 2012 Further, Diana was bestowed as the "Best Legal Writer" award by The National in 2013, showcasing her ability to articulate complex legal concepts with clarity and precision. As a testament to her exemplary legal practice and exceptional boutique law firm, Diana Hamade Law Firm was honored with the "Boutique Law Firm Award of the Middle East" by LexisNexis Middle East in both 2019 and 2020. These awards further solidify Diana's position as a leading figure in the legal arena and highlight her commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to her clients.