An interview with Brian M. Dunn, Group General Counsel at Mojay Global Holding Limited in UAE.
How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How has it changed since you first moved in-house?
The GC Community in the Middle East has both grown in size, as well as in its connectedness. When I first began working in-house in the region, nearly a decade ago, the legal community was fragmented and the number of groups for lawyers, let alone GCs was small. Larger groups of lawyers didn’t seem to gather unless there were conferences hosted. Today there are several large communities for GCs and in-house lawyers that draw consistent interest for both in person and virtual gatherings. It seems that this has resulted in a lot more collaboration and knowledge sharing as well.
Why is expanding your network important to you?
Expanding my network is important to me because I deeply value the exchange of knowledge and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. I believe that no matter how much you know, there’s always more to discover, especially from people who have walked different paths or tackled similar challenges from a different angle. Being connected to a diverse group of thinkers and doers helps me stay sharp, avoid blind spots, and continuously improve both personally and professionally.
What kinds of connections or discussions would be most valuable to you?
The most valuable connections for me are those that lead to meaningful conversations, whether that’s with experienced operators, subject matter experts, or fellow GCs navigating similar journeys. I’m particularly interested in discussions around scaling legal functions for high growth businesses, operational best practices, and leadership development. I’m always eager to both share what I’ve learned and soak up insights from others who are generous with their hard-earned lessons.
What do you want to achieve by collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers?
By collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers, I’m looking to build a strong peer network where we can exchange practical insights, share lessons learned, and collectively navigate the increasingly complex legal and business landscape. I find immense value in learning from others who’ve faced similar challenges, especially when it comes to scaling companies responsibly and strategically.
Are there specific topics, challenges, or experiences you’d like to share or learn more about?
Some of the topics I’m particularly interested in include global expansion, especially the legal and regulatory hurdles that come with entering new markets, efficient corporate and governance structuring that can scale with the business, and staying ahead of evolving data privacy frameworks globally. I’m also eager to learn from others’ experiences around M&A, from due diligence to post-close integration.
At the same time, I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned, especially in high-growth, fast-moving environments. I believe that open dialogue and shared experience not only make us better lawyers, but better partners to the business.
