Our Team
As a lawyer, mediator, and pioneer in family enterprise succession and conflict resolution, Walid specializes in guiding business families and Next Generation entrepreneurs through the complexities of an increasingly volatile and ever-evolving global landscape.
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Walid recently established Chiniara & Co., offering a range of services that include:
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With nearly 45 years of professional experience, Walid began his career with Tier-1 law firms in the United States and Canada, specializing in cross-border M&A and financing. He then transitioned to serve as deputy general counsel for a CAC 40 multinational in France, where he played a pivotal role in developing their project financing arm, managing multibillion-dollar projects across Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, while overseeing the legal affairs of joint ventures in 11 countries.
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In 1998, Walid was invited to join a visionary second-generation entrepreneur in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish one of the region's earliest family offices, marking the beginning of his journey with family businesses.
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Since then, Walid has worked with over 175 iconic families worldwide, establishing himself as a trusted advisor and personne de confiance to many.
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Delivering Bespoke Family Wealth Solutions
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As a third-generation lawyer, Walid prioritizes the well-being of the families he works with, placing their needs above profit. When families require expertise beyond his domain, he leverages a global network to connect clients with the most qualified professionals, ensuring seamless and high-quality results. This approach has honed his ability to listen attentively, empathize deeply, and deliver bespoke, effective solutions.
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His practice focuses on delivering integrated family wealth solutions tailored to each family's unique and evolving needs, including:
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Accompanying families through governance transformation journeys.
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Segregating personal and corporate interests.
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Constructing bespoke and sustainable family office infrastructures.
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Facilitating succession by preparing seniors to let go and juniors to take the helm.
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Coaching owners and shareholders through leadership transitions.
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Mediating family dialogues, separating emotions from reason.
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Drafting critical documents like family charters, shareholder agreements, and board manuals.
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Crafting legal strategies that safeguard family wealth while optimizing business operations.
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Navigating expatriation and mobility complexities for global operations.
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Acting as an outsourced in-house advisor, identifying, coordinating, and interfacing with third-party service providers—including lawyers, tax and estate planning experts, bankers, financial wealth managers, private equity, and venture capital professionals—to ensure timely and fit-for-purpose delivery.
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Mediation and Conflict Management
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Over the years, Walid has developed a specialized skill set in managing family dynamics, resolving conflicts, and guiding families through complex succession planning.
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His proprietary 7-Step Methodology™, detailed in the 2020 book Dynastic Planning: A 7-Step Approach to Family Business Succession Planning and Related Conflict Management, is recognized for its innovative and systemic approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing constructive communication and consensus-building.
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When families approach him post-conflict or after unsuccessful interventions, Walid serves as both mediator and strategist, helping redefine priorities and embark on a path to mutual success and harmony.
His methodology transcends conventional corporate, legal, and financial boundaries, focusing on human relationships, governance, and family systems.
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Board Building and Participation
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As part of governance transformation, Walid assists families in institutionalizing decision-making by establishing family councils, advisory boards, and boards of directors to ensure alignment and effective communication.
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His global experience and 45 years of legal strategy and management uniquely position him to contribute at the board level, addressing:
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Stress-testing governance frameworks and policies.
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Supporting expansion and diversification.
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Facilitating strategic international partnerships.
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Guiding through significant corporate transactions like acquisitions or IPOs.
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Research and Advocacy
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Committed to family governance advocacy, Walid shares his knowledge and insights as a lecturer and author. His contributions are further advanced through The Chiniara Foundation, which focuses on the study and advancement of family business succession planning. This work complements efforts by business and management schools, aiming to enhance understanding and practices in this critical area.
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In 2005, Walid joined the legislative committee at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), contributing to the development of laws and regulations, including the DIFC Trust Law and Single-Family Office Regulations.
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Later, in 2019 and 2020, he collaborated with the Family Business Center at the Diwan in Oman and the National Center for Family Business in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to modernize legislation supporting family businesses. He is credited with introducing Article 11 of the Saudi Companies Law, which validates and enforces family charters and shareholder agreements in local courts.
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Educational Background & Professional Affiliations
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Walid holds a Bachelor of Laws from Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut and a Master's in Comparative Jurisprudence from New York University (NYU). He is an accredited mediator, a member of the Quebec Bar, a Professional Associate at the Outer Temple Chambers (UK), and part of the Mediators Panel at the Abu Dhabi Global Market Arbitration Centre. He is also a Fellow at the Institute for Corporate Governance at ESCP Business School in Paris and a member of several professional associations, including The International Academy of Trust and Estate Law.
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Unique Selling Proposition
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Walid’s calling is to blend deep knowledge with empathy, dedicating his work to making a lasting difference for the families he serves. He aims to safeguard the most valuable legacy—the future of his clients' children and communities. Given the intensive engagement each family deserves, he is highly selective in his commitments. Clients value his unwavering dedication, transformative advice, and the deep trust cultivated together.
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In July 2024, Family Capital Publishing recognized Walid as the leading advisor to family enterprises in the GCC and one of the top 5 advisors globally.
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Commitment to Lifetime Support, Ethics, and Privacy
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Walid’s work is backed by a lifetime guarantee, ensuring availability for follow-up queries and updates. However, additional work requiring significant time will be subject to new terms. He upholds the highest standards of ethics, privacy, and confidentiality, maintaining strict discretion even in public settings and ensuring transparency by refraining from commissions on introductions.
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