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Parnika is a Partner in Quinn Emanuel’s Abu Dhabi office.  She specialises in international commercial arbitration and common law litigation, often representing clients in disputes with a cross border element and proceedings in different jurisdictions.

Parnika has acted for clients in a wide range of financial, corporate and commercial disputes across various sectors, including healthcare, trading, insurance, construction, commodities, retail, real estate, telecommunications, energy and resources.

Parnika has extensive experience conducting arbitrations under all major institutional rules and before ad hoc tribunals.  She also has substantial experience before the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and the Courts of England and Wales and works with regional experts on disputes before the UAE Courts and across the GCC.

The legal journals (Legal 500 2023 and Chambers & Partners 2023) have described Parnika as:

“a brilliant lawyer and gives measured, realistic advice, but has a creative flair that inspires”.

“immensely knowledgeable and insightful, and always has complete command of the papers”.

“a gifted partner with a sharp mind who can always plan the best outcome for the client. At the same time, she is transparent and upfront and can set realistic expectations”.

“a gifted lawyer with huge experience in complex cases … always recommend her if there are complex commercial arbitrations or litigations”.

“detail-oriented, and always asks challenging questions about local laws and court procedures”.

  • Meydan Group LLC
  • Meydan City Corporation
  • Nakheel
  • Mashreq Bank
  • Industrial Commercial Bank of China
  • RJO’Brien
  • China State Construction Engineering Corporation
  • Five Hotels
  • Al Jaber Group
  • Caterpillar Finance
  • Acting for multiple clients (including listed entities, state owned enterprises and high net worth individuals) in applications for emergency injunctive relief for the preservation of assets in the DIFC Courts.
  • Acting for a multi-disciplinary conglomerate based in Abu Dhabi in DIFC proceedings, representing the owners of the last major undeveloped site in the DIFC to appeal foreclosure, in proceedings before the DIFC Court of Appeal.
  • Acting for Industrial Commercial Bank of China in relation to recoveries due under Insurance Policies, with associated claims in the DIFC Courts.
  • Acting for Meydan Group LLC against Dubai International Arbitration Centre in DIFC Court proceedings in breach of contract claims connected to arbitration.
  • Acting for Mashreq Bank in proceedings before the Dubai World Tribunal relating to the restructuring of USD 2.3 billion of debt owed by Drydocks World – Dubai LLC and Dubai World LLC.
  • Acting for the finance arm of a Fortune 100 company in its debt recovery strategy across the GCC including in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, and entailing proceedings in the DIFC and England and Wales.
  • Representing a Dubai government owned developer against subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company in a multi-jurisdictional dispute involving two DIAC arbitrations, English Court litigation (High Court and Court of Appeal) and litigation before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
  • Acting for major hotel group in the UAE in two arbitrations, subject to DIFC-LCIA Rules, and contempt proceedings in the DIFC Courts, in connection with the ownership and management of a luxury five star resort.
  • Representing a major UK regulated investment house in multiple disputes in the UAE and internationally, including securing a successful LCIA award, winding up proceedings in Singapore, and negotiated settlements.
  • Representing a major cryptocurrency trading platform in a shareholder dispute, subject to arbitration under the HKIAC Rules, involving issues of valuation.
  • Representing a high-profile Dubai Government owned developer in a portfolio of  arbitrations valued at over USD 4.5 billion, subject to the DIAC rules or the ICC rules, involving issues arising under FIDIC Conditions of Contract, complex joint venture and consortia arrangements under UAE law and standalone sale and purchase agreements.
  • Acting for a leading UAE hotels group in a multi-tiered dispute encompassing court and arbitral proceedings, successfully securing a UAE seated arbitral award for losses under business interruption insurance.
  • Representing a Kuwaiti public listed company in two arbitrations, subject to the ICC Rules and QICCA Rules, respectively, arising out of the construction of the Pearl development in Qatar.
  • Advising a planned cross-border development in Saudi Arabia with regard to the review and drafting of a range of civil and criminal laws, including for the infrastructure of the court.
  • National Law University
    (BSc.LLB, 2010)
  • Solicitor of England and Wales
  • State Bar of California
  • Advocate, India (Member of the Delhi Bar Association)
  • UAE registered Legal Consultant
  • DIFC Registered Practitioner
  • King & Wood Mallesons (Dubai)
    • Partner, 2022-2023
    • Counsel, 2019-2022
    • Associate, 2012-2019
  • Trilegal (India)
    • Associate, 2010-2012
  • Ranked by The Legal 500 Global: Next Generation Partner for Dispute Resolution UAE, 2023
  • Ranked by Chambers & Partners: Band 5 for Dispute Resolution UAE, 2023
  • Named in The Legal 500 Arbitration Power List, 2023
  • Regional representative Young International Council For Commercial Arbitration
  • Co-chair steering committee for International Arbitration & Mediation Centre Hyderabad, India