H.E. Shaikh Fahim Al Qasimi
Co-Founder & Chairman of EILF
His Excellency Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi is the chairman and co-founder of Emirates International Law Firm (“EILF”). Shaikh Fahim rejoined EILF in February 2006, after taking a leave-of-absence to serve his country in important high level political and economic governmental posts.
Sh. Fahim advises clients embarking on or involved in major projects in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region, particularly projects with challenging business, legal and political hurdles. He also leads EILF’s legal team on select high profile (or sensitive) disputes/litigation on behalf of clients.
For almost a decade, from 1996 to 2005 H. E. Shaikh Fahim Al Qasimi was a member of the UAE Council of Ministers. In his first Cabinet position, as the UAE Minister of Economy & Commerce, Sh. Fahim sheperded a strong and vibrant UAE economy amid a dazzling UAE business climate. During his tenure, Sh. Fahim negotiated several key agreements and treaties between the UAE and foreign governments. He also led numerous UAE and GCC business delegations in talks and deals with delegations from Japan, China, Morocco, Europe, Australia and the United States. During his last 2 years in Cabinet, Sh. Fahim headed the Ministry of Supreme Council and GCC Affairs, where his responsibilities included coordinating with the highest federal authorities on the political, legal and economic agenda items/concerns of the UAE federation.
Prior to serving in the UAE federal Cabinet, Sh. Fahim became the first Emirati to be appointed as the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He was nominated for this influential and prestigious position in 1993 by the former President of the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may peace be upon him). Sh. Fahim served as Secretary General of the GCC until 1996.
Sh. Fahim’s distinguished career also includes public service as the UAE Ambassador to the United Nations (New York) and non-resident UAE Ambassador to Canada from 1980 to 1984, as well as UAE Ambassador to the United Nations (Geneva) from 1976 to 1980.
Shaikh Fahim began his professional career as a UAE legal consultant and advocate (litigator) for companies doing business in the UAE. He obtained his Law Degree from Cairo University in 1974 and an M.A. in International Politics from Johns Hopkins University (Washington, D.C.) in 1977. He is a member of the International Bar Association.