Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Licensing And Certifications
Talks
Timeline
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DALIA AL SHARKAWI

Senior Legal And Compliance Officer
Amman

Summary

As a seasoned legal and compliance professional with a strong background in venture capital, private equity, and cross-border transactions, I have successfully led the development and execution of complex agreements, including limited partnership agreements, stock purchase agreements, and SPV-related documents. My experience spans advising clients on MENA and US market expansions, corporate governance, and compliance with local and international regulations. With a proven track record in co-managing multi-million dollar deals and representing both startups and large funds, I bring a strategic and detail-oriented approach to every engagement. My legal expertise is complemented by a robust educational foundation in common law and a dual law practice background, and my strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with clients has been key in building trust and maintaining a high standard of professionalism throughout my career.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
4032
4032
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages

Work History

Senior Legal and Compliance Officer

Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund, PSC
Amman, Amman Governorate
10.2024 - Current
  • Company Overview: A World Bank–backed fund-of-funds investing in regional and international VC and PE funds.
  • Spearheaded legal and compliance oversight for a World Bank–backed fund-of-funds investing in regional and international VC and PE funds ensuring compliance with international and local laws and regulations.
  • Managed and coordinated between the Fund and public institutions to align fund operations with public sector governance expectations.
  • Continuously monitored and developed the Fund’s legal framework to better protect its interests and manage investment-related risks.
  • Reviewed and authorized all fund disbursements ensuring payments were executed in accordance with internal controls, approvals, and the relevant requirements.
  • Led legal structuring and coordination of co-investments with DFIs and sovereign partners.
  • Developed internal compliance SOPs and policies which were approved and implemented in the fund.
  • Participated in numerous World Bank–led trainings, covering topics from procurement to environmental and social framework implementation.
  • Supported external legal counsel on negotiation and preparation of legal documentation.
  • Prepared memorandums and compliance assessments for board-level review, covering KYC, legal exposure, and strategic risk scenarios.
  • Collaborated with external counsel across multiple jurisdictions to ensure enforceability of fund terms, resolve cross-border regulatory issues, and verify compliance with US, EU, and MENA laws.
  • Managed the recovery of USD 700,000 in misused funds alongside external counsel through negotiation and enforcement of settlement terms.
  • Implemented enhanced due diligence procedures for high-risk investors in accordance with FATF standards and Jordanian AML/CFT laws.
  • A World Bank–backed fund-of-funds investing in regional and international VC and PE funds.

VC Associate

Kassim Legal, PLLC
Amman, Amman Governorate
03.2023 - 08.2024
  • Successfully closed multiple multi-million dollar series A deals, which consisted of simulating the cap tables, know-your-client checks, preparing disclosure schedules and drafting the core transaction documents in accordance with NVCA standards.
  • Established over 20 venture capital funds, tech startups, and special purpose vehicles.
  • Co-authored and developed SPV-related agreements such as the operating agreements and subscription agreements.
  • Reviewed and developed bilingual murabaha agreements.
  • Advised on MENA expansion and registration, US expansion and registration, financing and shareholding structures, and corporate governance.
  • Prepared and managed client data rooms for potential investors, ensuring all necessary documents and information are accurate and up-to-date.
  • Co-authored and developed limited partnership agreements, asset purchase agreements, and software-related agreements from inception.
  • Conducted over 10 in-depth legal due diligence reports and compliance memorandums.
  • Successfully co-managed and closed at least 10 fund-of-fund investment transactions worth $50 million.
  • Represented a range of micro accelerator and incubator funds to late stage venture capital and private equity funds.
  • Successfully concluded dozens of cross-border M&As, including drafting term sheets, asset purchase agreements, and share purchase agreements.
  • Advised startups on executive compensation, including stock options and other forms of equity compensation.
  • Registration of multiple technology startups’ intellectual property in the US and MENA region.
  • Represented the firm’s pro bono clients.

Associate

Aljazy & Co. Advocates and Legal Consultants
Amman, Amman Governorate
01.2020 - 03.2023
  • Advised governmental and quasi-governmental clients on matters pertaining to joint ventures, procurement, foreign investment and distribution.
  • Advised finance-specific clients on data security and general cybersecurity matters.
  • Advised clients on matters pertaining to labor law and general business development.
  • Advised clients on legal remedies under international law & compliance with U.S./EU sanctions.
  • Successfully co-authored and reviewed cross-border M&A specific agreements such as joint venture agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
  • Successfully handled multiple multi-million dollar arbitration disputes in my capacity as both, party representative and arbitrator, in leading arbitration institutes such as the ICC and DIAC.

Trainee Associate

Zubi Advocates and Legal Consultants
Amman, Amman Governorate
07.2017 - 10.2019
  • Acted as a member of a defense team successfully representing a quasi-governmental body in a multi‑million dollar construction arbitration administered by the ICC.
  • Liaised with technical non-legal experts in preparation of and drafting legal claims arising out of EPC contracts.
  • Executed fact and cite-checking, handled witness preparation, and the preparation, organization and management of 20,000+ exhibits.
  • Conducted legal research and analysis of relevant legal and commercial issues in Arabic and English.

Education

LLB - Law and International Relations

University of of Sussex
Brighton
05.2017

International Foundation Programme - Law, Politics and Literature

University of Reading
Reading
04.2014

Skills

OFAC

Legal Writing

Corporate governance

Legal research

Cap Table Simulations

Negotiation

Decision-making

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Compliance monitoring

Risk management

Adaptability

Licensing And Certifications

  • Admitted to the Jordan Bar Association,
  • ICC Institute Advanced Training on ‘The conduct of the proceedings and case management: The arbitrator’s perspective’
  • ABA’s Training Workshop on Combating Human Trafficking, 2021-11-25
  • ABA’s Training Workshop on Combating Human Trafficking, 2022-03-25

Talks

Covid-19 Impact on the Economy in Jordan and Protecting the Workforce, Employment Law Alliance, 2021-04-01

Timeline

Senior Legal and Compliance Officer

Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund, PSC
10.2024 - Current

VC Associate

Kassim Legal, PLLC
03.2023 - 08.2024

Associate

Aljazy & Co. Advocates and Legal Consultants
01.2020 - 03.2023

Trainee Associate

Zubi Advocates and Legal Consultants
07.2017 - 10.2019

LLB - Law and International Relations

University of of Sussex

International Foundation Programme - Law, Politics and Literature

University of Reading

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DALIA AL SHARKAWISenior Legal And Compliance Officer