Qatar University holds inaugural continuing legal education program

Over 50 participants attended the 10-day workshop sessions on "Essential Skills for New Lawyers and Legal Professionals" and "Strategic Negotiation Skills" delivered by legal experts Prof Joan Bullock, Florida A&M University School of Law; Marcia Levy, Sullivan and Cromwell LLP New York; Prof Denise Madigan, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law California; Roy Ford, Nicholas Barclay, Monita Barghachieh, Machaille H Al-Naimi, and Jassim Al-Asmakh, Patton Boggs LLP Doha; and Marlana Valdez, ABA-ROLI.

The participants represented various law firms and legal departments of leading organizations in Qatar such as Ras Gas, Qatar Foundation, Al Tamimi Law Firm, SNR Denton, Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority, law offices of Gebran Majdalany, LaLive in Qatar, LLC, and Qatari Diar.

The purpose of the workshops was to engage lawyers in upgrading their skills and competencies towards enhanced readiness for negotiation and other legal processes.

Commenting on the workshops, CEO Director Dr Tajalsir Kardaman said, "We are pleased to have joined with ABA-ROLI in providing these workshops for the benefit of QU students and local lawyers. There is no doubt that gaining these skills will be of immense value to them in the way in which they will handle negotiation and other day-to-day approaches. These workshops underline our commitment to providing essential continuing education programs in keeping with the needs of the local community."

ABA-ROLI Qatar Program Director Marlana Valdez said, "This intensive series of continuing legal education courses was the first of its kind in Qatar. Following 10 days of intensive coursework, participants felt themselves to be better prepared for the practice of law and were looking forward to attending future programs. The American Bar Association in partnership with Qatar University will present additional continuing legal education programs for new as well as experienced lawyers in the coming year."

LAWC Dean Dr Hassan Okour said, "These courses provide legal professionals with essential tools that enhance their academic legal qualification. The participants have had an invaluable opportunity to be tutored by expert legal minds and they can return to their workplaces with a developed sense of confidence and preparedness. QU College of Law is determined to provide the legal community in Qatar with state-of-the-art legal education that would sharpen lawyers' skills and to help new lawyers to better develop their future careers."