A Candid Conversation on Arbitration, Legacy, and Building a Regional Powerhouse
We are proud to share that our Executive Chairman Karim A. Youssef is featured as the cover story of the June 2025 edition of Law Middle East Magazine.
In this exclusive interview, Karim A. Youssef reflects on the pivotal moments of his journey, the vision behind Youssef + Partners, and the transformation of arbitration across the MENA region. The feature, titled “The Arbitration Man,” offers rare insight into the leadership philosophy and global perspective of one of the region’s most influential legal figures.
Rewriting the Arbitration Map: Karim A. Youssef on Legacy, Purpose, and Global Impact
From earning dual law degrees in Cairo and Paris, to completing his J.S.D. at Yale, Karim A. Youssef’s academic and professional path has been defined by a passion for arbitration. After a formative tenure at Cleary Gottlieb in Paris, he returned to Egypt in 2010 with a bold ambition to reshape the region’s arbitration landscape.
In the interview, Karim A. Youssef explores how the Arab Spring became an unexpected catalyst for arbitration growth across the MENA region. With cities like Cairo, Dubai, and Riyadh emerging as global arbitration hubs, the region is now a force in international dispute resolution.
Karim A. Youssef on Building a New Model for Legal Practice
In 2016, Karim A. Youssef founded Youssef + Partners with a clear goal: to build a world-class arbitration practice rooted in Cairo. Rejecting the conventional big-law structure, the firm has remained highly specialised in arbitration and litigation earning recognition through its deep focus, high-stakes wins, and distinctive culture.
Youssef + Partners has also been a pioneer in modern legal work culture, placing well-being and performance at the heart of its operations.
Karim A. Youssef on Founding a Region-Shaping Arbitration Firm
In the interview, Karim A. Youssef shared how a bold vision in 2016 led to the founding of Youssef + Partners in Cairo. An arbitration practice designed to match the standards of top international firms, while remaining firmly rooted in Egypt. “You can practise international law from anywhere, but your roots define you,” he said, referencing a formative piece of advice from his mentor, Judge Georges Abi-Saab.
From its inception, the fi rm chose a different path. By focusing exclusively on arbitration and litigation, and moving away from the full-service model, Youssef + Partners set itself apart in a region where many firms still dilute their focus across multiple practice areas. “We don’t have a corporate arm, and that was a bold choice,” Youssef noted. “But it allows us to stay laser-focused.”
Today, with a 96% success rate and $7.6 billion in claims under management, the firm is trusted with some of the MENA region’s most complex, high-value disputes, including groundbreaking matters like the Bassem Youssef arbitration, the fi rst major media broadcasting case of its kind in the region.
Karim A. Youssef’s Journey: Leadership, Growth, and Vision
Dr. Karim A. Youssef shares his belief in leadership through empowerment, building teams where excellence is collective and hierarchy takes a backseat.
When asked about regional expansion, he remains open to possibilities: “In the years ahead, geographical boundaries will fade even more, and where your arbitration practice is located will become increasingly irrelevant. Yet, I am always open to possibilities— so, never say never..”
Karim A. Youssef on What Truly Matters
In closing the interview, Karim A. Youssef shared reflections aimed at the next generation of legal professionals. His advice was clear: “Don’t over-engineer your career. Stay curious, stay grounded, and choose your team wisely. That decision will shape your future more than any other.”
He continued, “Never imitate others. You lose the moment you start the imitation game. Pursue your own path and enjoy the journey.”
For Karim A. Youssef, humility, perspective, and authenticity are non-negotiable traits in legal leadership“The very best in this field remain grounded, no matter how far they rise. Success means little if it’s not matched with depth, character, and a genuine sense of purpose.”
You can read the full interview with Dr. Karim A. Youssef in the June 2025 edition of Law Middle East Magazine, where he shares his journey, insights on the evolution of arbitration in the MENA region, and the vision behind building a world-class dispute resolution firm in Cairo. Here
