Haifa Khonji

Haifa Khonji heads the corporate commercial department at KBH – Bahrain and is an experienced commercial litigator with over 22 years’ experience. She has worked in international firms (Ince and Co, Eversheds and Denton Wilde Sapte) and has been the managing partner at KBH – Bahrain office since 2010.

She emphasises a methodical and pragmatic approach, tailored to the specific circumstances of any dispute, together with her commitment, and provides clients with a bespoke service.

Haifa acts for a diverse range of high-net-worth individuals, families, international and local multinational companies and advises on a wide range of transactional and advisory matters including but not limited to mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, share transfers, company formations, structuring, restructuring and corporate governance.

Over the years she has developed an interest in estate planning and wealth management and has worked with international financial advisors and law firms. She has also gained experience working on matters relating to shareholder disputes in family businesses and has helped them resolve their issues.

Haifa has written several articles on arbitration law developments in Kingdom of Bahrain, on Mergers and Acquisitions and Dispute Resolution in the Kingdom of Bahrain and on company formations. Her articles have been published in reputable journals, including Mergers & Acquisitions Review, Dispute Resolution Review and PLC.

Commenting on how KBH distinguishes itself from its competitors, Haifa said: “We provide above and beyond levels of client service. We ensure that every client of the firm feels special, we understand what they want and recruit the best people.”

She considers her main strengths to be compassion, assertiveness, creativity, and her meticulous attention to detail.

“My typical clients value my experience,” she continued. “It is also important that my clients see me as an expert and respects my views. Trust is the key element for a successful long-term relationship.”

Recent Cases

- Advising and acting for a European operator in dependency care in its investments in the Kingdom of Bahrain including setting up the largest rehabilitation centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain a GCC, project valued at USD 20 Million.
- Advising a leading GCC family-owned group of companies on a range of matters relating to shareholder disputes, exists, corporate re-structuring advising and preparing corporate governance policies and procedures.
- Advised a leading real estate company on its acquisition of majority shares in a public listed company operating in Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Acting for clients with criminal complaints arising out of shareholder disputes, employment disputes, insolvency and breach of contract claims.

Education

• New York State Bar (2002)
• LLM from University of Buckingham (2000)
• LLB from University of Buckingham (1999)
• Admitted to practice law before the Courts of Cassation and Constitutional Courts of the Kingdom of Bahrain and a member of the Bahrain Society.