Zara Merali

Zara is Counsel and a Freshfields global investigations lawyer specializing in crisis and risk management. She represents businesses and individuals in complex global investigations involving allegations of cyber incidents, terrorist financing, money laundering, sanctions violations, financial crime, bribery, fraud tax evasion, and anti- competitive conduct. Zara provides strategic advice to help clients navigate and mitigate fraud and corporate crime risks. Dual qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario and a Solicitor in England and Wales, she has practiced in Dubai, Toronto and London. Zara is the winner of the inaugural 2022 Chambers Middle East associate of the year award and has been Chambers ranked for the past three years.

Zara collaborated on the Freshfields, Accuracy and NYU 2024 survey of the Middle East construction sector to evaluate the risks that construction project participants face in relation to cybercrimes and to gauge their level of preparedness.