A personal reflection from Ziad Salloum on staying in Abu Dhabi during the conflict, the firm's continuity, and gratitude for the UAE's leadership and preparedness in times of crisis.

The article highlights Mr. Samir Salloum’s legal career, his longstanding presence in Abu Dhabi since 1976, and his professional and personal attachment to the UAE. It emphasizes his contributions to law, arbitration, and development, and mentions that he holds Lebanese and French nationalities but considers Abu Dhabi his second home. Salloum expresses admiration for the judicial system in Abu Dhabi, praising its transparency, integrity, and efficiency. The piece also touches on the Lebanese diaspora, their achievements abroad, and the importance of maintaining ties with Lebanon while contributing to their host countries. There’s a section reflecting on his firm’s collaborations, particularly with companies in France and Lebanon, and on developmental and architectural projects connected to his professional network.

This article was originally drafted and published in early 2020 by the International Lawyers Network (ILN). It formed part of a coordinated series of contributions by ILN member firms examining, from a legal perspective, whether the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis could constitute a force majeure event in their respective jurisdictions. You can see the original paper here.