Layla El-Wafi is Senior Legal Counsel at Standard Chartered based in the Dubai International Financial Centre’s Middle East Regional Legal Team. 

She  advises on a range of transactions in the MENA/GCC region (with a focus on UAE and KSA) including the setting up of new branches, sustainable finance, outsourcing and participates on various country governance forums.  Layla also advises on environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration and compliance issues including matters related to data privacy, D&I and human rights in business.  

Before joining the bank Layla previously worked with international law firm Addleshaw Goddard in London and Oman.  Prior to her legal career she worked with various international development and human rights organizations like Amnesty International, Women for Women International and UNICEF in New York, London, Baghdad, and Tripoli.  Layla bi-lingual is actively engaged in community service and enjoys mentoring, yoga and diving.