Ayad is co-founder of Osiris Law and an international lawyer with over 22 years of experience. He is a UK qualified solicitor and holds a law degree from Iraq as well as a Master’s degree in petroleum and natural resources laws. Previously, Ayad was one of the founding partners of LXL LLP, where he managed the firm’s Middle East desk primarily from Saudi Arabia, and co-led the Corporate Commercial and M&A team for over 14 years. In early 2024, Thomas and he set up Osiris Law.

Throughout his professional career, he has worked in a variety of sectors and practice areas covering corporate, commercial law, M&A, private equity, construction, infrastructure projects (including power, renewables, water, district cooling) project finance, oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, shipping, defence, employment law, insurance, product liability, intellectual property, regulatory and compliance (including UK and International sanctions rules), media, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, and international dispute resolution.

Ayad has worked on a number of high-profile projects and contentious cases in different jurisdictions including the UK, Europe, MENA, Asia and Africa. As part of his contentious work experience, Ayad has advised state companies and private corporations on a number of high profile international arbitrations (under UNCITRAL, ICC, DIAC, CIETAC, LCIA, LMAA, Saudi Arbitration (conducting the entire arbitration process in Arabic) and Ad Hoc Arbitration Rules) and mediation.

Ayad is fluent in Arabic, and has also practiced law regularly in Arabic especially during his time operating in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Khobar).