Leaders
Thinking about law often draws an image of towering courtrooms, black robes and heated arguments. In reality, however, the practice of law has always stretched far beyond the walls of a courtroom. Every lawyer's journey begins with a story, and for Dima Abuasabeh, it started in the bustling city of Chicago, where her passion for law was first ignited at a small, two-partner firm.
Dima pursued law school while balancing non-profit initiatives, from supporting immigrant communities with a focus on women and domestic violence survivors, to helping with international legal collaborations to help ensure that the rule of law is a right that is accessible on a global scale. The early days of her career saw her step into diverse roles, clerking at the Prosecution Office, advocating in family and criminal law, and eventually carving out a niche bankruptcy practice.
Moving to Dubai, Dima embraced the challenges of building her career in a new country. Over the past 15 years, she has grown into one of most respected legal professionals in the region, blending her U.S. trial experience with the complexities of the Gulf’s corporate and regulatory environment.
Tell us about your journey as a General Counsel, highlighting the crucial turning points along the way.
I think most in-house lawyers can tell you that transitioning from private practice, especially the non-corporate side, to in-house is not easy. But each role I stepped in to, I took something with me. I look back and I know I’ve learned things along the way that have shaped my moves.
I started with Sharaf Retail Group as their first General Counsel and where I learned the ins and outs of family business groups in the Gulf region and building a legal and government relations team. Moving on to Unilever, I learned how to survive in a multinational environment with global teams and global goals, and finally landing in Samsung where rich culture and tech combine for an imaginative recipe.
Introduce us to Samsung Electronics.
Samsung is like no other place, really! It’s quite challenging but also very unique. The beauty of the South Korean culture is prevalent in everything we do, and it’s enlightening to learn at a different pace.
It also means a really different style of working which takes some getting used to. It requires patience, an open mind, and a willingness to understand a different perspective. We are exposed to all kinds of transactions in our legal team. I often tell potential candidates that we are more of a mix of in-house and private practice, and that is absolutely unmatched in any other corporate organization.
At the end of it all, do your best & go the extra mile, but don’t give up your life or sacrifice meaningful time & relationships for a job that isn’t forever, instead, find balance so you don’t look back with regret
Building strong legal teams is a key area of your expertise. How do you mentor and guide young talent?
Building a strong legal team is one of the most essential parts of a legal function. I love empowering my team to excel. My role is to trust, delegate, and create the environment for them to thrive.
When I bring in younger talent, it’s a mix of guidance, trial, and error. I don’t micromanage, but I do review their work, involve them in negotiations, and let them shadow me so they can pick up practical skills. At the same time, I also shadow them in certain situations to see how they perform and give feedback.
A big part of my leadership is building their confidence. It’s about positive reinforcement, giving them space to grow, and helping them find their own path as lawyers, not just copying me or their senior counterparts but developing their own voice and expertise.
As laws and market dynamics rapidly evolve, how do you align yourself with evolving industry norms and trends?
It’s impossible to stay on top of everything in real time. This may sound funny but I pick up a lot from LinkedIn updates and even TikTok from legal content creators! I like the concise but short updates that alert me on new trends and announcements. When it comes to regions I don’t work in regularly, I often lean on external counsel.
Across the Middle East, many laws share common principles, especially those rooted in Sharia law, which I know well. That gives me the confidence to quickly advise on regional matters in MENA, and even take an informed view in unfamiliar regions.
Looking back, which professional milestones standout in your journey?
I am a mother of five, and earlier this year I had a diagnosis that led to a series of treatments and surgeries. Looking at me today, people are often surprised; it’s as if nothing ever happened. One of my colleagues recently told me I inspire her every day as she goes through her own diagnosis, and honestly, those moments feel like real milestones for me.
Whereas professionally, I am a strong lawyer and advisor. Senior executives rely on me for their advice. They like talking to me and listening to me. (I wish I can say the same about my kids!) At Samsung, I have had very challenging executive stakeholders praise me, and that’s an accomplishment in my books.
It’s hard to acknowledge yourself in the daily hustle and bustle, but knowing your worth and your strengths helps you get through the daily grind.
Dima Abuasabeh, Head Of Legal & Compliance, Samsung Electronics Regional
Dima Abuasabeh, Head of Legal at Samsung Electronics, is a seasoned legal advisor known for her ability to balance business needs with sound risk management across complex, multi-jurisdictional landscapes. With deep expertise in Middle Eastern laws, particularly Sharia-influenced frameworks, she has become a trusted voice at the C-suite level, guiding presidents and CFOs through critical decisions.
