Overview
Mr. Shayaan A.S. Essa serves as Of Counsel at our firm, bringing a
distinguished dual-qualified background. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.)
from Harvard University and is a Barrister admitted to the Bar of England
and Wales.
Mr. Essa joined MAK’s legal team in 2025, contributing extensive experience
in complex international finance and corporate matters. His fluency in both
English and Arabic enables him to manage cross-jurisdictional mandates
with precision and effectiveness. His practice spans corporate,
commercial, and finance law, with a particular specialization in Islamic
finance.
Mr. Essa has advised extensively in his previous roles on various matters on
Islamic Finance and has successfully advised on Islamic finance and
international commercial transactions, offering practical legal solutions
that comply with both conventional and Sharia principles, enhancing the
firm’s ability to serve a diverse global clientele. His broader experience
encompasses Corporate & Commercial Law, covering transactional
advisory, external legal review of financing facilities, and advising major
corporations on claims and investment compliance.
Mr. Essa’s combined expertise in legal and Sharia principles makes him
highly effective at navigating complex cross-border legal challenges and
ensuring seamless alignment between diverse legal systems and
regulatory frameworks. He further strengthened this unique foundation by
completing his ‘Alimiyya from Jamia ‘Uloom Islamiyya with Distinction,
underscoring the exceptional depth of his proficiency in both international
law and Sharia matters.
Practice Areas
- Islamic Finance Law
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Drafting and Reviewing Contracts
- Corporate Governance and restructuring
- International Law
Education
- (LLM, Masters of Law in "International Business Law"), Harvard University, USA:
- Barrister (Called to the Bar at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn); (LLB, Bachelor of Law), University of London; and
- Advocate High Court, Punjab Bar Council, Pakistan.
Career
- (Of-Counsel), Sharif Akkad Law Firm (MAK), Saudi Arabia, 2025 – present;
- (Legal & Sharia Counsel), Stearns Bank N.A., St. Cloud, USA, 2025;
- (Research Assistant), Harvard Law School, USA, 2020 – 2021;
- (Co-founder), EssaLegal, 2017 – 2019;
- (Legal Associate), Al Suwaidi & Co., Dubai, UAE, 2014 – 2016;
- (Legal Counsel), Legal Counsel at Meezan Bank Ltd, Pakistan, 2010 – 2011.
Experience
Mr. Essa served as a key point of contact for legal and Sharia
compliance matters within the bank, advising various departments,
including finance and investment banking, as well as clients seeking
Sharia reviews of legal documentation.
Mr. Essa has advised on a range of Sharia-compliant financial
products, including Real Estate Murabaha, Wakala-based accounts,
and private placement Sukuk. He played a vital role in ensuring that
each transaction aligns with both Sharia principles and U.S. laws.
Mr. Essa co-founded and managed a start-up that brought together
lawyers and Sharia experts to provide Sharia-compliant
transactional and advisory services.
Mr. Essa has extensive experience advising leading financial
institutions, corporations, and multinational clients on a broad range
of legal and commercial matters across the Middle East, including
banking, energy, and maritime sectors. He has been responsible for
overseeing legal reviews of complex financing facilities and
providing strategic counsel on corporate and regulatory issues in the
UAE and wider Gulf region.
Mr. Essa has experience teaching LLB students in the areas of
Contract Law and Islamic Economics, providing them with a clear
understanding of the principles of commercial contract law under
both common law and Islamic law.
Mr. Essa, having completed his ‘Alimiyya from Jamia ‘Uloom
Islamiyya with Distinction, combines his deep understanding of
Sharia principles with his legal training to provide nuanced advice on
matters involving Islamic finance, compliance, and dispute
resolution.
Mr. Essa, as a Barrister (called to the Bar at The Honourable Society of
Lincoln’s Inn), brings a strong foundation in English law, allowing him
to effectively navigate multi-jurisdictional matters and advise clients
across various legal systems.
Mr. Essa serves as a key member of the firm’s international and
Islamic finance team, providing clients with comprehensive legal
guidance that bridges global commercial practices and Sharia-
compliant frameworks.
MAK is a Saudi full-service law firm that has been providing bilingual multi-jurisdictional, quality and dependable legal services in KSA since 2004
Contact Info
Tell : +966 (0)12 6503-400/494
Fax: +966 (0)12 6503-191
mak@maklawfirm.net
Address
Al-Sultan Center
3rd floor
office # 304 Madinah Rd, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia