Leadership

Our executive team is backed by a dedicated group of seasoned lawyers and consultants, providing comprehensive support across multiple jurisdictions.

The partners leading the firm.

Abdulla Abuwasel

Partner - Transactions

awasel@waselandwasel.com

I am an aerospace policy architect, commercial space advisor, and international arbitration practitioner. My work focuses on helping governments, spaceports, satellite operators, and private industry navigate regulatory complexity, manage risk, and scale across jurisdictions. My practice is equally divided between advising on complex international arbitrations and structuring commercial frameworks for the aerospace sector. I operate at the intersection of law and high-level policy, utilizing a global network that spans European parliaments, the halls of the United Nations and NATO, and the upper ranks of the US State Department.

On the disputes side, I advise ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporations on investment treaty claims and the enforcement of arbitral awards. I focus on matters where legal rights intersect with sovereign immunity and state interests. On the space and policy side, I advise sovereign states and defense contractors on national space legislation, launch liability, and orbital governance. I ensure that my clients’ commercial ambitions are aligned with international security protocols and diplomatic norms.

The Story Behind My Career

My career evolved from a recognition that traditional legal strategies are often insufficient for modern, global challenges. I observed that the most complex disputes and the most ambitious aerospace projects often stall not due to a lack of funds or legal merit, but due to a lack of political alignment. I built my practice to fill this void, combining rigorous advocacy with high-level diplomatic engagement.

My Professional Journey

I have spent years cultivating relationships with decision-makers in Washington, D.C., Brussels, and key capitals across the Middle East. My journey has involved advising on the drafting of national laws for European states and advocating for private sector interests within the halls of the UN and NATO. This experience allows me to offer clients a “comprehensive radar” of the risks they face, whether they are structuring a cross-border merger or planning a satellite constellation.

My Background and Values

I value discretion, precision, and strategic foresight. My work often involves sensitive technologies and significant capital at risk in volatile regions. I believe that an advisor’s primary duty is to eliminate uncertainty. Whether I am negotiating a launch contract or a settlement agreement, my goal is to lock down variables and secure a predictable outcome for my client.

My Unique Methodology

When a client faces a regulatory blockade or a sovereign dispute, I do not rely solely on legal filings. I activate my network across European parliaments and US agencies to understand the political calculus behind the issue. I then structure strategy to align with those broader geopolitical interests, turning potential friction points into levers for negotiation.

My Perspective on Industry Trends

The era of distinct “commercial” and “political” spheres is over. In the space sector, regulatory approval is now a matter of national security. In arbitration, enforcement is now a matter of foreign policy. I advise clients that their legal strategy must include a government relations component. If you cannot explain why your success is in the interest of the host state or the regulating power, you will likely face obstruction.

The Philosophy Guiding My Work

I believe that the best arguments are those that are heard by the right people. My philosophy is to ensure my clients have a seat at the table where the rules are written, rather than just reacting to them after the fact. I strive to position my clients as partners to regulators rather than adversaries.

How I Solve Complex Problems

I deconstruct problems into their core components. If a client is blocked from a market or locked in a dispute, I analyze who has the power to unlock the situation. often, the solution is not a new claim, but a strategic engagement with a specific policy maker or a reframing of the project to align with national priorities. I use my network to validate these strategies before we deploy them.

How I Deliver Measurable Results

For my space clients, results mean obtaining the necessary licenses to launch on time. For my arbitration clients, results mean recovering capital or protecting assets from seizure. I do not bill for effort; I bill for the achievement of these specific, pre-agreed milestones that directly impact the client’s bottom line.

The Value I Bring to Organizations

I help clients see around corners, anticipating policy shifts in Washington or Brussels before they become law. This allows my clients to structure their transactions and disputes strategies proactively, avoiding costly delays and legal dead ends. I bring the insight of an insider to the benefit of the commercial operator.

How I Can Support Your Goals

If you are navigating the complexities of the space economy or facing a critical dispute, I can provide the strategic advice you need. I will help you leverage international protections and high-level political access to secure your assets and advance your business objectives.