BACKWadih Charbel is a Partner at Eptalex UAE with over 21 years of experience advising and managing legal matters across the Middle East, Gulf, (and some) African regions, as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan. Trilingual in Arabic, English, and French, Wadih offers clients cross-border legal expertise grounded in a deep understanding of regional markets and international legal standards.
He holds three law degrees from three distinguished universities: a BA in International Private Law, an LLM in International Business Law, and a Postgraduate Degree in International Commercial Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has also earned certifications in Healthcare Data Security and Privacy Law & Data Protection from leading U.S. universities.
Wadih’s career spans diverse industries, including luxury retail and distribution (of fashion and ready to wear, beauty products, jewelry, watches and art de la table), consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, F&B, and software licensing. He has extensive experience in corporate governance, commercial transactions, leasing, employment, compliance, and intellectual property. His legal work has supported business operations in over 25 countries, managing regulatory risk and overseeing legal operations with a strategic, business-oriented mindset.
He has led the negotiation and drafting and review of a wide range of agreements, including franchise, distribution, agency, leases, licensing, IT, service provision, employment contracts & MOUs. He has also overseen the development of internal legal policies, contract templates, and compliance processes to streamline operations and ensure adherence to local laws and international best practices.
In litigation and arbitration, Wadih has coordinated with external counsel to manage commercial and employment disputes, participated in arbitration proceedings, and advised on settlement strategies and risk mitigation. His advisory scope further includes corporate governance, restructuring, and the legal aspects of business expansion.
At Eptalex, Wadih continues to advise clients on high-level legal matters across a broad spectrum of sectors. His multifaceted experience and rigorous approach make him a key advisor for clients navigating legal and regulatory challenges in complex, multi-jurisdictional environments.