Sameera Kimatrai

Sameera Kimatrai is an English law qualified partner in the Dubai office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Financial Regulatory Practice Group. She has experience advising governments, regulators and a broad range of financial institutions in the UAE including investment managers, commercial and investment banks, payment service providers and digital asset service providers on complex regulatory issues both in onshore UAE and in the financial free zones. Sameera has particular experience in digital asset regulation across the Middle East and Africa having spent time as a senior regulatory lawyer in the legal department of a large digital assets exchange.

Sameera has earned recognition across leading legal directories and industry awards. Chambers Fintech Legal ranks Sameera as “Up and Coming ”, while IFLR1000 has ranked Sameera as a “Rising Star” for Financial Services Regulatory in the UAE for 2025. Legal 500 EMEA also named Sameera a “Rising Star” for Financial Services Regulation in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In addition, Sameera received the “Rising Star” award at the Law Middle East Awards 2025, honoring her significant contributions to Gibson Dunn and the financial regulation and fintech market.

She completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Cambridge in 2011 before completing her law degree at the University of Law in 2013. Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Sameera was a senior associate based in the Dubai office of a Magic Circle law firm. She completed her training contract at another Magic Circle law firm in London, where she qualified into the financial services regulatory group.

Capabilities

• Financial Institutions
• Artificial Intelligence
• Financial Regulatory
• Fintech and Digital Assets

Credentials

Education:

• University of Cambridge - 2015 Master of Arts
• University of Law - 2013 Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
• University of Law - 2013 Legal Practice Course
• University of Law - 2012 Graduate Diploma in Law
• University of Cambridge - 2011 Bachelor of Arts

Admissions:

• England & Wales - Solicitor