Our people / Professional profile
Rita Kelijian
Job TitleSenior Associate
- Email Address
- [email protected]
- Office
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Professional profile
Profile Bio
Rita Kelijian is an Associate at Karawani & Co, specialising in Intellectual Property and Corporate matters. She has experience advising on intellectual property protection strategies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Europe. Her work includes the analysis and management of international trademark and intellectual property portfolios, corporate formation advice for onshore and offshore entities, and the negotiation and drafting of commercial contracts and non-disclosure agreements.
Before joining Karawani & Co, Rita worked as a Legal Consultant at law firms and several aeronautical companies, gaining experience in legal advisory work across different sectors.
Professional Experience
Rita Kelijian is an Associate at Karawani & Co, where she is part of the Intellectual Property team and supports the Corporate team in the Dubai office. Her practice focuses on intellectual property protection, portfolio management, and corporate advisory services, with experience covering the MENA region and Europe. She assists clients in developing and implementing strategies to protect their intellectual property rights across multiple jurisdictions, including analysing and managing international IP portfolios and coordinating matters relating to the registration, maintenance, and protection of trademarks and other intellectual property assets.
Rita also advises on corporate matters, including the establishment of onshore and offshore companies, helping clients navigate incorporation requirements and related legal procedures. Her transactional experience includes negotiating, drafting, and reviewing various commercial agreements and non-disclosure agreements, with an emphasis on protecting clients’ interests and supporting their business objectives.
Prior to joining Karawani & Co, Rita worked as a Legal Consultant at law firms and several aeronautical companies. This experience provided her with exposure to different legal and commercial environments and strengthened her ability to address a broad range of legal issues. She combines her background in international and European law with practical experience in intellectual property and corporate advisory work to deliver commercially focused legal support to clients.
Areas of Expertise
Education
- Master 2 in International and European Activities, specialising in Space Activities and Telecommunications Law — Université Paris-Sud 11, France (2008)
- Master 1 in International and European Activities, specialising in International and European Law — Université Paris-Sud 11, France (2007)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Law — Université Paris-Sud 11, France (2006)
- DEUG in Law — Université Paris-Sud 11, France (2005)
- First Certificate in English — Cambridge (2006)
Languages
- English
- Arabic
- Spanish
- Armenian
Membership & Achievements
- Rita Kelijian is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), the European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA), and the Association of Practitioners in Trademark and Design Law (APRAM). Through her involvement in these professional associations, she maintains engagement with developments in intellectual property law and trademark protection at the international and regional levels.
Connect with Rita
- [email protected]