Damian Wright

Full Profile

Damian is a seasoned specialist in regulatory investigations and dispute resolution, renowned for his innovative strategies and deep understanding of the legal landscape in the Middle East. His expertise in navigating complex legal challenges, coupled with a solution-driven approach, positions him as a trusted advisor for clients seeking comprehensive and effective resolutions.

Damian’s practice encompasses regulatory compliance, corporate investigations, and white-collar crime, delivering tailored strategies to address multifaceted issues. With extensive experience in financial services disputes, corporate fraud, and regulatory investigations, he has also supported teams in numerous forensic investigations. Representing a diverse range of clients across the Middle East, Damian is recognised for his strategic handling of high-profile cases, employing advanced methodologies to achieve optimal outcomes.

Damian has acted in DIFC jurisdictional disputes, including securing recognition and enforcement of foreign awards and obtaining worldwide asset-freezing orders. His ability to operate effectively across jurisdictions demonstrates his commitment to safeguarding client interests on a global scale.

Experience

Regulatory Compliance

• Advising Financial Institutions: Guided Financial Institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses in addressing non-compliance issues flagged by regulators across the Middle East, including in onshore UAE, DIFC, ADGM, and KSA, providing customised solutions to meet jurisdiction-specific requirements.
• Compliance Framework Development: Designed and implemented comprehensive compliance frameworks for multinational companies, aligning them with local and international standards. These frameworks addressed AML/CTF measures, corporate governance, and continuous monitoring to ensure sustained compliance.
• Cross-Sector Expertise: Delivered regulatory compliance guidance on national and cross-border matters, simplifying complex requirements to support seamless adherence across multiple jurisdictions.

Corporate Investigations

• Ethics and Governance Reform: Led a high-stakes investigation into whistleblower allegations of ethical breaches among senior executives, uncovering governance failures and driving organisational reform to reinforce ethical standards.
• Multi-Jurisdictional Investigations: Represented the former CEO and director of one of Saudi Arabia’s largest retail corporation in a fraud investigation by the Saudi Arabian Capital Markets Authority, managing extensive document reviews and building a robust defence strategy aligned with Saudi and global regulations.
• Forensic Analysis: Conducted in-depth investigations into vendor conflicts and procurement policy breaches, utilising advanced forensic technology to uncover misconduct and reinforce corporate governance practices.
• Cross-Border Fraud Case: Represented the liquidators of Namibia’s SME Bank in a major fraud case involving the diversion of funds across Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, showcasing expertise in managing complex international cases.

Corporate/Commercial Dispute Resolution

• DIFC Jurisdiction Landmark Case: Represented a multinational company in a precedent-setting DIFC Courts decision regarding jurisdiction over a matter with an exclusive Lebanese Courts clause, successfully arguing justice could be obtained in the agreed forum.
• Worldwide Freezing Orders: Acted in numerous cases to secure worldwide freezing orders, safeguarding assets in the DIFC, onshore UAE, and international jurisdictions.
• Investment Fund Enforcement: Represented a multibillion-dollar investment fund in enforcing securities under finance agreements, including challenging the winding-up of borrowers undertaken to undermine security holders’ rights.
• Arbitration for Global Asset Management: Led complex arbitration proceedings addressing unlawful terminations of high-value agreements, navigating intricate issues around damage quantification and contractual repudiation.
• Defence of Financial Institutions: Successfully defended a global financial institution in a dispute regarding a trigger event in a multibillion-dollar solar energy project, preserving the client's contractual rights and investments.