About – Sonya Shaykhoun, Esq

When seeking out a cutting-edge counsel capable of handling high-value contracts in technology, media, and telecommunications, look no further than the Law Offices of Sonya Shaykhoun, Esq. Within her Manhattan-based solo practice, the New York City native is also highly adept at doing business in the Middle East, after having spent nearly thirty years living, studying, and working abroad in Italy, Scotland, England, Egypt, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Shaykhoun’s 18+ years of international legal experience has her offering world-class services to a global clientele. Also fluent in Arabic, she is a shining example of female achievement within a hyphenated ethnic world.  Her “aha moment” came when she read an article in Cosmopolitan about an Anglo-Arab woman who studied Arabic at university. This led her to pursue a BA in Arabic and Law, which included one year studying Arabic in Alexandria, Egypt, in addition to having studied at the University of London.

Having started her career as Senior Legal Counsel at Orbit Communications Company in Bahrain (now OSN in Dubai), Shaykhoun specialized in technology, media, and telecommunications. There she received a solid foundation in new technology, licensing matters, all kinds of media contracts, and telecommunications issues— especially satellites, an industry that was emerging in the Arabian Gulf in the early 2000s. When she is not working in her solo practice, you can find her acting as a committee member on the New York City Bar Association NYC Affairs and Aeronautical Affairs Committees.

Skills/services offered:

• Transactions: cross-border, new and old technology, media, telecommunications, and aviation
• General corporate and commercial matters
• High-value projects
• Compliance projects
• Outside general counsel services
• Doing business in the Middle East
• Doing business in New York
• Power connector and deal matchmaker

Sonya Shaykoun’s achievements, awards and accomplishments:

• Founding member of Qatar Airways’ Compliance Department, recognized by the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist: Middle East Teams 2018
• Single-handedly negotiated and drafted the cutting-edge technology multi-billion dollar contract between Inmarsat and Qatar Airways for WiFi connectivity for two fleets of planes, the A350s and B777s
• Successfully closed a multi-million dollar contract with SONY Middle East and a suite of contracts for Orbit Communications Company’s new semi-digital broadcast center in Manama, Bahrain in three months (2004)
• Fluent in Arabic and French

Educational background:

• LL.M. in Corruption, Law and Governance, the University of Sussex and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center (ROLACC) in Doha, Qatar (2016-18)
• Legal Practice Course (LPC), BPP, London, England (2001-2002)
• LL.M. in Corporate and Commercial Law, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, London, England (2002-2003)
• BA in Arabic and Law, SOAS, London, England (1996-2000)
• MA Honours Degree in English Language and Literature, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland (1990-1995)