Abdullah Wasel, a distinguished figure in law and diplomacy, discusses his global upbringing, beginning in Qatar observing its transformation into a modern metropolis. Moving to Canada for boarding school, he pursued a diverse education eventually leading him to law school in Minnesota. Abdullah talks about his near signing with Disney as a child actor and transitioning to a career in law inspired by his family's legacy in the legal domain. He has held significant roles, including working with the UAE Supreme Court and running a family law practice. He also shares his involvement in setting up the Jordan International Arbitration Center (JIAC) and his dynamic approach to integrating AI in legal proceedings. He elaborates on his passion for space law, the drafting of the Washington Compact for commercial space operations, and the broader implications of expanding human activity into space. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passions, overcoming criticism, and daring to achieve the impossible.

STORY

1. Growing Up in Qatar
2. Early Life and Family Background
3. Education Journey: From Qatar to Canada
4. College Life and American Football
5. Law School and ADR Focus
6. First Case and Early Career Challenges
7. Founding the Jordan International Arbitration Center
8. Artificial Intelligence in Arbitration
9. Practical Applications of AI
10. AI Regulation and Ethical Concerns
11. Building an Arbitration Center
12. Introduction to Space Law
13. Private Citizens vs Astronauts in Space
14. Dispute Resolution in Space
15. Why Space Matters for Everyone
16. Personal Interest in Space Travel
17. Space in Film: Interstellar and Beyond
18. Getting Into the Space Industry
19. Final Advice for Young Professionals

BIOGRAPHY

Abdulla is an international arbitration specialist with extensive experience representing high-net-worth investors and navigating complex disputes across multiple industries and jurisdictions. He has appeared before leading arbitral tribunals and handled the enforcement and set-aside of arbitral awards in various courts. His work includes serving as counsel in high-stakes investment arbitration cases in the Middle East, particularly involving bilateral investment treaties and sovereign states.

In addition to his arbitration practice, Abdulla is a registered lobbyist in Washington, D.C., where he has appeared before the U.S. Congress to discuss commercial space policy. He is among the few expert consultants in the emerging space industry, maintaining close relationships with both governmental and commercial actors. As a key author of The Washington Compact—an international treaty under The Hague Institute for Global Justice that sets standards for the commercial space sector—he has helped establish norms of conduct now endorsed by more than 130 global signatories.

Abdulla serves as Secretary-General of the Jordan International Arbitration Centre (JIAC) and Chief of Staff at The Hague Institute for Global Justice. His work reflects a rare combination of legal expertise, diplomatic engagement, and leadership in both terrestrial and outer-space dispute resolution.

LINKS

Wasel Wasel: https://waselandwasel.com/abdulla-abuwasel/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullawasel/