Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Felix Hughes developed an early interest in international relations through his family’s import-export business that maintained strong ties across the Pacific Rim. Growing up in Portland’s diverse community and witnessing the complex legal challenges of international commerce firsthand inspired him to pursue a career in international law. His upbringing in the Pacific Northwest instilled in him a deep appreciation for cultural differences and a commitment to building bridges across different legal traditions.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior International Counsel

Al Masar Law Offices | Liverpool & Dubai January 2019 – Present

Serves as the key legal advisor for international clients navigating complex cross-border transactions between Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Divides time between the firm’s Liverpool and Dubai offices to provide seamless legal support across jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead counsel for international transactions exceeding $500 million in aggregate value annually
• Head of the firm’s Cross-Border Transactions Practice Group
• Primary relationship manager for the firm’s multinational corporate clients
• Architect of the firm’s International Compliance Protocol system
• Supervisor for junior associates handling international matters
• Strategic advisor to the firm’s management on international expansion
• Client development across UK, EU, and GCC regions

Notable Achievements:

• Structured a landmark $120 million joint venture between a British renewable energy developer and an Emirati investment consortium
• Successfully negotiated complex cross-border intellectual property licensing agreements for technology transfer between European and GCC entities
• Established the firm’s innovative “Legal Bridge” program to facilitate UK-UAE business relationships
• Developed specialized compliance protocols for clients navigating post-Brexit trade relationships between the UK and Middle Eastern countries
• Created the firm’s international secondment program with partnering law firms in key global markets
• Received the firm’s “Excellence in Client Service” award (2021, 2023)

Prior to  founding Al Masar Law Offices, Ben worked in the UK for an international law firm

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor

Lewis & Clark Law School | Portland, Oregon

• Graduation: 2009
• Honors: Cum Laude
• Specialization: International Business Transactions
• Law Review: Associate Editor, Lewis & Clark Law Review
• Thesis: “Comparative Legal Structures for Cross-Border Environmental Compliance”
• Relevant Coursework: International Business Transactions, Comparative Legal Systems, International Environmental Law, Foreign Investment Law, International Dispute Resolution

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

University of Liverpool | Liverpool, United Kingdom

• Graduation: 2011
• Specialization: International Business Law
• Dissertation: “Legal Frameworks for UK-Middle East Commercial Partnerships”
• Academic Honors: Distinction
• Key Research: Maritime Law Applications in International Trade

Bachelor of Arts

University of Oregon | Eugene, Oregon

• Graduation: 2006
• Major: Political Science with International Relations concentration
• Minor: Arabic Studies
• Honors: Dean’s List (all semesters)
• Study Abroad: American University in Cairo (2005)
• Senior Thesis: “Economic Development Legal Frameworks in Emerging Markets”

Additional Education

• Certificate in Islamic Finance Law | Dubai International Financial Centre Academy (2013)
• Certificate in International Arbitration | London Court of International Arbitration (2012)
• Legal English Certificate | Cambridge University (2010)
• Advanced Arabic Legal Terminology Program | University of Sharjah (2014)

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & ADMISSIONS

• Oregon State Bar (2009)
• Solicitor of England and Wales (2012)
• Legal Consultant, Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD) (2015)
• Registered Practitioner, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts (2015)
• Qualified International Arbitrator, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (2016)
• Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) (2014)