Jeanina Awni

15+ years of legal experience working in Saudi Arabia protecting clients’ rights in matters relating to technology transactions and commercial litigation. Adept at drafting technology agreements, reviewing policies, and client negotiation. Keenly advising technology companies on corporate, intellectual property, data security privacy, and commercial matters.

Skilled in clarifying issues, advocating solutions, mobilizing cross-functional teams, and facilitating decision-making in complex situations. Worked with many reputed technology company clients. Intercultural competence for business.

Traveled to Asian and Middle East countries representing companies including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Dubai, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon among others.

Legal Counsel

Mohammed Al-Sharif Law Firm – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2017 – Present

• Advising technology companies on Saudi Anti-Cybercrime, Cloud, e-commerce, IP, Telecommunications & fintech e-payment services regulations.
• Draft technology agreements for distributors/agents, terms of use, and agreements for websites and applications.
• Conducted risk assessment and audits. Discussed, and meet with expert engineers and forensic auditors ensuring client activities were performed by company policies and in compliance with Saudi government regulations.
• Conduct legal case evaluation, draft pleadings, motions, and responses, and manage various aspects of commercial litigation matters, fact-finding, and analysis including financial & technical evidence, case conferences, and represent clients in arbitration proceedings.

In-house Counsel 

IMB Services LLC /BAS Global Investments, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2009 – 2017

• Drafted and reviewed contracts, agencies and joint JV agreements, company privacy policies, terms and conditions agreements, and disclosures. 
• Participate in contract negotiations with contractors and sub-contractors, identified potential litigation problems, and recommended solutions. 
• Interface with a variety of management levels on significant matters, often requiring the coordination of activity across functional groups. 
• Issue proposals for large projects in participation with project managers for security, construction, facility management and medical projects for Saudi Government and agencies like GACA, ARAMCO, MOFA, and GAZT.
• Liaising and engaged in general corporate practice, regulatory compliance, information privacy, and records retention for multinational companies from Asia, the Middle East & USA on behalf of local partners for complex security projects with MOFA for Saudi Security embassies worldwide. 

Regulatory Compliance Legal Counsel

MoneyGram/ Sigue Corporation, Los Angeles, USA | 2008 - 2009

• Analyze developing trends and changes in regulatory compliance laws, rules, and regulations, and advise on the operational impact of such trends/changes with a good understanding of financial law (Banking Act, Financial Instructions and Exchange Law, etc.)
• Worked with portfolio managers, finance, marketing, and other associates to identify, resolve and implement compliance issues from Federal and State Regulators of domestic and international financial licenses. 
• Participate in the development and drafting of Compliance policies. Also, assists in the implementation of new and regulatory changes.
• Responding to document production for Litigation and Regulatory. 

Legal Adviser & Regulatory Compliance Counsel

RAKA Holding, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2005 – 2008

• Review and issue legal documents; commercial contracts, JV agreements, company resolutions, organizational minutes of the meeting, company privacy policies, terms and conditions for business transactions with Multinational companies from China, Singapore, USA, Malaysia, and GCC Countries.
• Managed compliance of various products and services, including the development of policies and procedures for marketing materials. 
• Visiting companies and factories in China to ensure standards and practices. Also, conduct compliance reviews as directed.
• Participate in product development for a medical product and provide input regarding compliance concerns relevant to proposed and current products and services.
• Issue RFP for medical, military, construction, and facility management projects for the Saudi government or agencies in coordination with project managers.

Claims Legal Counselor 

Lawsuit Advance Funding/ True Value Funding, USA | 1998 -2004

• Legal and financial case viability valuation. Issue case brief with recommendations to approve advance funding. Dealing with both the clients/Law Offices and the funders during the approval process. 
• Attend meetings with Directors and Senior Management to provide legal clarifications or assistance that may be required.
• Draft contracts and documentation to effect advance funding.

EDUCATION

• Jurist Doctorate Degree, Federico Villarreal University, Peru & Bar Admission Association.
• Master’s Degree in International Commerce ADEX University, Peru.
• Certis Cisco Cybersecurity Workshop, Singapore

Cybersecurity and regulatory framework, including visiting Singapore’s command-and-control center.

• Advance Courses from the University of California, USA.

o Legal Commercial documents.

o Legal aspects of Construction Contracts.

o Project Management.

o Finance & Investment Analysis o Real Estate, Marketing & Branding.

SKILLS

• Corporate law
• Written & oral communication
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Negotiation & settlement
• Legal & Financial Documentation
• Business acumen
• English & Spanish language

INTEREST

• Cyber Security
• AI
• Crypto Currency
• Robotics
• Construction Law