Nassif graduated from the University of Ottawa Civil Law programme with highest honours (Summa Cum Laude) in 2001. In 2002, he also earned a degree with honours in Common Law after completing the University of Ottawa’s National Programme. Nassif was called to the Quebec Bar and has been a member of the Canadian Bar Association since 2003.
He joined Clyde & Co's Middle East Dispute Resolution Group in January 2009 and has over seven years of experience advising on the legal aspects of commercial dispute resolution. Nassif has advised litigants before courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of the Emirate of Dubai.
He has also represented litigants in international commercial arbitrations, including disputes resolved under the rules of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and ad hoc arbitration under Quebec law.
Whilst Nassif has acted on behalf of businesses in a wide-range of commercial disputes, his practice focuses on disputes arising out of commercial agreements (e.g. sale and purchase agreements, distribution and agency agreements, joint venture and partnership agreements, loan agreements, muqawala contracts and musataha contracts) and financial instruments (e.g. letters of credit, advance payment guarantees and performance bonds), civil seizure orders, fraud cases and enforcement of foreign orders.
Since joining Clyde & Co, he has been involved in a broad range of disputes in the Middle East which include: advising on the resolution of hospitality and leisure, energy and financial sector disputes; managing commercial property dispute cases that have spawned pleadings before all levels of the UAE courts as well as arbitration; and advising on shareholder and partnership disputes.
Nassif volunteers his time to take on the position of Legal Affairs Director and Secretary as member of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Nassif is fluent in English and French, and is Arabic speaking.