​Recently, I established Chiniara & Co., where my services encompass:

​

• Delivering bespoke family wealth solutions unique to each family.

​

• Mediation and Conflict Management.

​

• Board Building and Participation.

​

With nearly 45 years of professional experience, I began my career with Tier-1 law firms in the United States and Canada, specializing in cross-border M&A and financing. I then transitioned to serve as deputy general counsel for a CAC 40 multinational in France, where I played a pivotal role in developing their project financing arm, managing multibillion-dollar projects across Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, while overseeing the legal affairs of joint ventures in 11 different countries.

​

In 1998, I was invited to join a visionary second-generation entrepreneur in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish one of the region's earliest family offices, marking the beginning of my journey with family businesses.

​

Since then, I have worked alongside over 175 iconic families worldwide, establishing myself as a trusted advisor and a personne de confiance to many.

​

Delivering bespoke family wealth solutions unique to each family

​

As a third-generation lawyer, I prioritize the well-being of the families I work with, placing their needs above profit.

​

When families require expertise beyond my domain, I leverage my global network to connect them with the most qualified professionals, ensuring seamless and high-quality results. This philosophy has shaped my ability to listen attentively, empathize deeply, and deliver bespoke, effective solutions.

​

My practice focuses on delivering integrated family wealth solutions tailored to each family's unique and evolving needs, including:

​

• Accompanying families through governance transformation journeys.

​

• Segregating personal and corporate interests.

​

• Constructing bespoke and sustainable family office infrastructures.

​

• Facilitating succession by preparing both seniors to let go and juniors to take the helm.

​

• Coaching owners and shareholders through leadership transitions.

​

• Mediating family dialogues, separating emotions from reason.

​

• Drafting critical documents like family charters, shareholder agreements, and board manuals.

​

• Crafting legal strategies that safeguard family wealth while optimizing business operations.

​

• Navigating expatriation and mobility complexities for global operations.

​

• Acting as an outsourced in-house advisor, identifying, coordinating, and interfacing with third-party service providers—including lawyers, tax and estate planning experts, bankers, financial wealth managers, private equity, and venture capital professionals—to ensure timely and fit-for-purpose delivery.

​

Mediation and Conflict Management

 

Over the years, I have developed a specialized skill set in managing family dynamics, resolving conflicts, and guiding through complex succession planning.

​

My proprietary 7-Step Methodology™, detailed in my 2020 book Dynastic Planning: A 7-Step Approach to Family Business Succession Planning and Related Conflict Management, is recognized for its innovative and systemic approach to conflict resolution. It emphasizes constructive communication and consensus-building.

​

When families approach me post-conflict or after unsuccessful interventions, I serve as both mediator and strategist, helping redefine priorities and embark on a path to mutual success and harmony.

​

My methodology transcends conventional corporate, legal and financial boundaries, focusing on human relationships, governance, and family systems.

​

This meticulous approach, refined over decades, allows me to serve with precision, insight, and compassion.

​

Board Building and Participation

​

As part of governance transformation, I assist families in institutionalizing decision-making by establishing family councils at the family level, as well as advisory boards and boards of directors at the corporate level, ensuring alignment and effective communication.

​

My global experience and 45 years of legal strategy and management uniquely position me to contribute at the board level, addressing:

​

• Stress-testing governance frameworks and policies.

​

• Supporting expansion and diversification.

​

• Facilitating strategic international partnerships.

​

• Guiding through significant corporate transactions like acquisitions or IPOs.

​

Research and Advocacy

​

I am committed to family governance advocacy, sharing my knowledge and insights as a lecturer and an author. My contributions to the field are further solidified through my role at The Chiniara Foundation, dedicated to the study and advancement of the 'Law' in matters pertaining to family business succession planning. This foundation complements the work done by business and management schools, aiming to enhance understanding and practices in this critical area.

 

In 2005, I joined the legislative committee at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), contributing to the development of several laws and regulations, including the DIFC Trust Law and the Single-Family Office Regulations.

 

Later, in 2019 and 2020, I collaborated with the Family Business Center at the Diwan in the Sultanate of Oman and the National Center for Family Business at the Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to modernize legislation aimed at supporting the growth of family-controlled businesses. I am credited with introducing Article 11 of the newly enacted Saudi Companies Law, which validates and enforces family charters and shareholder agreements in local courts.

 

Educational Background & Professional Affiliations

​

I hold a Bachelor of Laws from Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut, Lebanon, and a Masters in Comparative Jurisprudence from New York University (NYU).

 

I am an accredited Mediator, a member of the Quebec Bar, a Professional Associate at the Outer Temple Chambers (UK), part of the Mediators Panel at the Abu Dhabi Global Market Arbitration Centre, a Fellow at the Institute for Corporate Governance, ESCP Business School in Paris, France, and a member of various professional associations, including The International Academy of Trust and Estate Law.

​

My USP

​

My calling is to blend my knowledge with empathy, dedicating my life's work to make a lasting difference for the families I serve. . I aim to safeguard their most valuable legacy—the future of their children and the communities they shape.

​

Given the intensive engagement each family deserves, I am highly selective in my commitments. My families value my unwavering dedication, the transformative impact of my advice, and the deep trust we cultivate together.

​

In July 2024, I was honored to be recognized by Family Capital Publishing as the leading advisor to family enterprises in the GCC, ranking among the top 5 advisors globally in my field.

​

Commitment to Lifetime Support, Ethics, and Privacy

​

My work is backed by a lifetime guarantee—Walid's lifetime. I remain available to address any follow-up queries, discussions, clarifications, or updates. However, any additional work requiring a significant investment of my time will be subject to a new engagement with revised terms and conditions.

​

As a legal professional, I am fully committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, privacy, and confidentiality in all aspects of my work. Any introductions I facilitate are entirely free of commissions, ensuring transparency and integrity in all my dealings.

​

To further safeguard your privacy, I maintain strict discretion, even in public settings. I will not acknowledge you unless you initiate contact, respecting your confidentiality at all times. I operate independently, carry no obligations to external parties, and never share your data or contact details with anyone.