1. CURRICULUM VITAE – ATHANASIA TAKTIKOU
Full name: Athanasia (Sasha) Taktikou
E-mail: a_taktikou@yahoo.gr
Date of Birth: 18th September 1976
Nationality: Greek
Marital Status: Married
Address: Dubai Jewel Tower, 3801, DIC, Dubai
Mobile: 00971 50 7989562
Preferred Location: Dubai, UAE
Experience: Fourteen years specializing in International
Commercial & Corporate Law London – Athens – Dubai
ProfileProfile
As a professional, I would describe myself as a solid person with a good grounding in business and corporate law,
capable of demonstrating tenacity and a genuine analytical capacity to assimilate complex legal and technical issues,
aiming to resolve ambiguities and balance strategic goals with tactical realities. I make informed decisions. I am a flexible
thinker, knowledgeable, concise, confident, and autonomous. As a person I am committed, communicative, confident,
stylish and insightful.
Having a strong legal educational background and fourteen years of work expertise in advising and managing company
legal affairs I am well placed to advise on all matters related to corporate vehicles, corporate structuring and restructuring,
corporate governance, directors’ duties, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, offshore jurisdictions and UAE free
zone regulations.
Throughout my career I have acquired comprehensive knowledge in providing a high standard of advice on all legal
matters specializing in corporate advisory and commercial negotiations with strong drafting skills. My principal areas of
practice include: corporate & commercial law, contract negotiation and corporate governance.
I have dealt with a diverse variety of industries, both within the Middle East and internationally, for example by conducting
vendor and purchaser due diligence, several disclosure exercises across the manufacturing, commercial agreements
relating to raw material supply, branding - retail and franchising, FMCG, fashion, media, hospitality. I have advised
conglomerate groups on a diverse range of commercial legal matters.
I am looking for a challenging role within an organization that has the vision and the potential for growth and expansion,
whereby I can be my best and serve at best the corporate goals and develop further my career achievements.
Professional ExperienceProfessional Experience
02/2013 – 10/201502/2013 – 10/2015
Director & Head of Legal AffairsDirector & Head of Legal Affairs
Key To Success (KTS) Ltd. DMCCKey To Success (KTS) Ltd. DMCC ((www.ktsuccess.com Address: 1309 X2 Tower, Jumeirah Bay, JLT, Dubai UAE)
Setup and managed the company, advising the partners, supervising a team of outsourced professionals working in lineSetup and managed the company, advising the partners, supervising a team of outsourced professionals working in line
with the overall management consultancy services provided to our clients. Responsible for providingwith the overall management consultancy services provided to our clients. Responsible for providing specialized legalspecialized legal
advisory to clients, related to corporate set-up within MENA Region & offshore, corporate organization, offshore re-advisory to clients, related to corporate set-up within MENA Region & offshore, corporate organization, offshore re-
structure, JVs & share transfers, real estate & property matters, project/business developmentstructure, JVs & share transfers, real estate & property matters, project/business development, investments, equity, risk
assessment, commercial contracts, contract negotiations, legal liability. Headed the management of free-zone and off-
shore companies, advised on numerous re-structuring exercises, derivatives, private equity funds & proprietary
investments.
01/2012 – 01/2013
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2. CURRICULUM VITAE – ATHANASIA TAKTIKOU
Head of Legal Affairs & General Management
DION LLC DIFC (Address: EFT Towers South, office 810, DIFC, Dubai, UAE)
I was engaged to set up DION LLC DIFC on behalf of a conglomerate group to act as the company’s proprietary
investment arm in DIFC. Headed the Legal Department and supervised legal operations in horizontal and vertical
investments made in the local and international markets targeting SMEs, property development projects,
telecommunications and culinary/entertainment businesses. This was a project work engagement and finalized upon the
completion of the share transfer to new management and handover to the executive team of directors.
02/2011 – 10/201102/2011 – 10/2011
Head of LegalHead of Legal
SELECT GROUP OF COMPANIESSELECT GROUP OF COMPANIES ((www.select-group.ae Address:Address: Emaar Business Park, Dubai UAE)
Responsible for setting up an autonomous legal department which was until that time operating under the supervision ofResponsible for setting up an autonomous legal department which was until that time operating under the supervision of
the CFO. Handled successfullythe CFO. Handled successfully all legal matters related to the company’s functions and real estate activities, supervisedall legal matters related to the company’s functions and real estate activities, supervised
and driven dispute resolution and arbitration cases, involved in project development (mixed-use projects and strata)and driven dispute resolution and arbitration cases, involved in project development (mixed-use projects and strata)
solutionssolutions. I was the prime company representative before all RERA liaisons. Advised senior management on corporate
and property investments and legal strategy (i.e. equity, retail, hospitality, buyouts of distressed projects, investment
proposals and large-scale purchases of internationally renowned hotels and commercial spaces). Advised on risk
assessment, drafted commercial contracts, represented contract negotiations, headed the strategy for protecting the
company from market liability, advised on various buy-back agreements, negotiated settlements, implemented insurance
policy. Advised CEO of legal requirements for the relevant jurisdictions, managing advice from external counsels where
appropriate (both locally and internationally). Acted as the principal regional contact for the preparation and negotiation of
client incentive agreements and marketing support agreements. Advised on arrangements with strategic commercial
partners for product initiatives. Provided legal advice to HR team on policy issues and employee relations.
 Successfully conducted in-house 90% of the legal work preparation and documentation required for arbitration
achieving significant minimization of company costs.
04/2008 – 02/2011
Legal Counsel – Corporate DivisionLegal Counsel – Corporate Division
Pearl Dubai FZLLC & Group of Companies (www.dubaipearl.com Address: Dubai Media City, Tel. 00971 4331698)
Reported to Vice President of Legal Affairs and CEO. Handled legal-corporate matters relating to this massiveReported to Vice President of Legal Affairs and CEO. Handled legal-corporate matters relating to this massive mixed-use
project comprising of residential, distinctive retail, restaurants and entertainment venues, internationally renowned hotels
and commercial spaces. Involved in the contractual drafting of licensing and trademark / franchising agreements relating
to the launching of Baccarat Residences in 2008. Reviewed and advised on contracts for brands i.e. MGM, Bellagio,
Ralph Lauren, Dali Corporation, Valentino. Advised on risk assessment, drafted MOUs, MOAs, leasing agreements,
sponsorship and media/advertising agreements, hospitality & licensing agreements, involved in investment strategy,
prepared legal undertakings and non-disclosure agreements, advised HR department on employment matters.
Conducted numerous corporate re-structuring exercises and represented the company in the establishment of offshore
companies and restructuring.
09/2007 –03/2008
Legal Associate – Corporate DepartmentLegal Associate – Corporate Department
Bin Shabib & Associates (BSA) LLP (www@bsa.ae Address: DIFC Building 3, Floor 6, PO Box 262, Dubai, UAE)
Reported to Managing Partner. Represented large corporate conglomerate PRAGMA Group (36 subsidiaries) operating
in the markets of UAE Lebanon, Iran, Kuwait, Spain and Saudi Arabia and conducted numerous legal exercises
pertaining to contractual drafting, negotiations and commercial operations in the following industries: IT, Telecoms
(NOKIA), Furniture Design & Trade (Cavalli Cafe, Kitsun), Fashion & Entertainment (400 Nightclub), Property Holding &
Construction, Business Solutions & Infrastructure; performed due diligence & restructuring exercises; multiple
international share-purchase transactions. Drafted the By-Laws of World Professional Power-boating Association
(WPPA). Represented Higher College of Technology negotiated opening of new branch in N.Y.; provided advice on
employment matters; insurance liability and employer’s liability. Advised well established Bahraini Bank on several
novation agreements, syndicated contracts, re-structuring exercises and share-transfer agreements.
06/2006 –08/2007
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3. CURRICULUM VITAE – ATHANASIA TAKTIKOU
Lawyer / Founding PartnerLawyer / Founding Partner
ATT Private Law Office (Afroditi Tsamba & Athanasia Taktikou)
(www.law-tt.gr Address: Kapodistriou Str. 17, Kanigos Sq., Athens, tel: +30 210 3816917)
{The company is still operating under the management of Mrs. A. Tsamba}
Co-founded the law office under my specialization: International Corporate/Commercial Law. I was responsible for
ensuring the successful operation of the office and its functions, targeting and developing client relationships and
managing a small team of outsourced associates. Managed events for the firm, approached the market segments,
organized presentations to clients and overall supervised the development of the business, while completing my
admission to Athens Bar Association. Advised well established local banking organization and handled various legal
matters relating to legal advisory, drafting, reviewing and approving confidentiality agreements, syndicated
contracts, term sheets, transactions, securities, loan contracts, legal compliance, legal risk assurance and
advisory on rules of ethics. Handled several property sales and purchase contracts representing prestigious
companies and private clients and reported to Mrs. Afroditi Tsamba who is a Supreme Court Certified Solicitor.
04/2004 – 03/200604/2004 – 03/2006
Corporate/Commercial LawyerCorporate/Commercial Lawyer
Law Firm A. TSIKA & ASSOCIATESLaw Firm A. TSIKA & ASSOCIATES ((antonia@tsikas.gr Address: Zaloggou 1, Athens, Greece)
Conducted my training for admission in Athens Bar Association while completing LLB studies in Kapodistrian University of
Athens. The practice specialized in business, stock-market and banking law.
06/2001 –03/2004
Legal Counsel – Fashion Group
Fashion Group Lifestyledeath Limited (lifestyledeath@gmail.com Address: London Head Office, 147Curtain Rd.
London, EC2 3QE)
Was recruited to manage the legal affairs of this London-based Fashion House Ltd. Liaised widely with elite clientele &
press such as CNN, Herald Tribune, Vogue, The Guardian, The Observer, Cosmopolitan, Le Monde, Associated Press.
Reviewed extensive contractual documentation in relation to commercial transactions in fashion, and retail industry.
Provided consultation on client-accounts’ management during Fashion Week (the company participated in London, Milan
and Paris). Supervised and organized inductions for placements of legal trainees.
EducationEducation
2004 - 2006 LLB – BACHELORS IN LAW (UK/GR equivalence) National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
2000 - 2001 LLM – MASTERS in International Business Law University of Hull, East Yorkshire UK
1997 - 2000 LLB – BACHELORS IN LAW University of Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
1996 - 1997 GCSE A’ Levels Costeas - Geitonas Private College, Athens
1995 - 1996 DIPLOMA IN LINGUISTICS Educational European Organisation (EEO)
[English, French, Greek][English, French, Greek]
Professional TrainingProfessional Training
 Legal Training completed 2006 – Bar Association of Athens, Greece (DSA exams attended successfully)
 Certificate on “Leadership Development & Emotional Intelligence” held by the American University of Sharjah
08.04.09 – 09.04.09 AUS Campus Sharjah, UAE.
 Certificate on “Dispute Resolution in Construction” held by MEED Middle East Business Intelligence 14th
, 15th
&
16th
June 2009, Dubai, UAE.
 Certificate on “Capital Markets 2009” held by MEED Middle East Business Intelligence 18.10.09 – 20.10.09, Dubai,
UAE.
 Certificate on “Oqood Training Program” obtained by Emirates Real Estate Solutions – Government of Dubai/Land
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4. CURRICULUM VITAE – ATHANASIA TAKTIKOU
Department; training completion date 17/11/2008.
 Attended “Middle East Arbitration Forum” 19.01.2009, 2010 & 2012 conducted by Clyde & Co.
MembershipsMemberships
Athens Bar Association (DSA)
Membership/Role: Trainee Lawyer
Member: September 2004 - 2008
UAE HELLENIC BUSINESS COUNCIL
Membership/Role: LEGAL COUNSEL - HONORARY MEMBER
Member: October 2010 - 2013
INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (IBA)
Membership/Role: LAWYER
Member since: 2013
LanguagesLanguages
English (native) – Greek (native) – French (fluent) – Arabic (beginner)English (native) – Greek (native) – French (fluent) – Arabic (beginner)
InterestsInterests
Committed Bookworm
Writing periodic articles for Greek online newspaper “Athens Voice” www.athensvoice.gr
Boxing
Active supporter of Orfanotrofeio Volou (my home city Orphanage) &other charitable organizations for children in Greece
ReferencesReferences
Mrs. Raghad Madanat
Job Title: Vice President Legal Affairs
Company Name: Pearl Dubai FZLLC
Tel: +971 4 4331657 / 0505982757
Email: raghad@dubaipearl.com
Mrs. Mirza Dagher
Job Title: General Manager
Company Name: DION LLC DIFC
Tel: +971 50 5585577
Email: mirzasdagher@gmail.com
Mr. Ashraf Atout
Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel Al Saraya Holdings DIFC
Tel: +971 555 707357
Email: ashraf.atout@gmail.com
Simon Paget-Brown
Job Title: Solicitor - Advocate – SPB Law Firm
Company Name: Sole Principal Simon Paget-Brown London
Private Practice, 50 Broadway, London, SW1H0RG
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7152 4064
Email: spb@paget-brown.co.uk
{I also have excellent references from the Greek Embassy in Dubai – contact Mr. Michalis Vretakis Tel: +9710562574050}
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