Dr. Srinivas Pala
Group General Counsel

PROFILE:

Dr. Srinivas Pala is a highly experienced legal professional with a career spanning over 25 years. Currently based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, he serves as a Group General Counsel, specializing in commercial and corporate law, ADR and Arbitration, construction law, and governance. 

He earned his master’s in mercantile law from Osmania University, his PhD on Emerging Trends in International Commercial Arbitrations from Kakatiya University, and his Project Management from Cranfield University. This diverse educational background has equipped him with a profound understanding of the legal landscape, making him a highly sought-after speaker on contracts, arbitrations, data privacy, and litigation matters. His thought leadership in these areas keeps him at the forefront of legal developments, ensuring his advice is always informed and up to date.

Dr. Srinivas Pala's professional journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the legal field. He worked for:

• the Government,
• Engineering Consultant,
• Major EPC Contractor in Construction, Infrastructure, and Energy
• Major Oil Company, and
• Water Desalination Developer.

and handled corporate legal affairs, contract negotiations, litigation advisory, international compliance, strategic corporate transactions, M&A and JV proceedings, business partnerships, and tactical investments to achieve the organization’s revenue objectives across the oil and gas, infrastructure, water desalination, and construction sectors. He developed and implemented SOPs, compendium, and anti-corruption policies for seamless corporate governance and compliance. 

Dr. Srinivas Pala has a proven track record of conducting high-level dispute-resolution negotiations with clients and contractors. He has successfully settled disputes for several multi-million dollar and AED claims in the construction, oil & gas, infrastructure, and water sectors. His leadership in chairing the task force to resolve disputes between the client and contractors arising from variation claims was particularly commendable, as he successfully settled them to the satisfaction of all parties involved. His appearances as a counsel in ICC and ad hoc arbitrations in the UAE and India have also been met with acclaim, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled negotiator and mediator. 

His solid determination to achieve and manage a multimillion-dollar business portfolio, his apt strategizing of legal solutions, his handling of multiple matters simultaneously with favorable outcomes in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, and his efficient management of legal crises have earned him accolades from stakeholders and partners.  

Dr. Srinivas Pala's expertise and contributions to the legal field have been widely recognized. He has been awarded the General Counsel of the Year 2022 in the Energy & Water sector and Distinguished Legal Minds of the Middle East 2022 by the Legal Era Middle East Law Awards 2022, a testament to his professional excellence.

Dr. Srinivas Pala is a member of the Bar Council of India and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. Member, Commercial & Contract Management of IACCM, USA. Member, Society of Construction Law. 

Besides, Dr. Srinivas Pala published an article on “Effect of Public Policy in International Commercial Arbitration,” Published in Orient Journal of Law and Sciences, February 2012 (India). A Paper on “The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 - A Critical Appraisal” Published in Orient Journal of Law and Sciences Vol.1, Issue 10, September 2007 (India), and a paper on “Environmental Issues- Problems and Prospects” Published in Orient Journal of Law and Sciences Vol.1 issue 12, November 2007 (India).