Mira Haykal
Houston,TX
Summary
Highly motivated and organized legal professional with a broad spectrum of knowledge in manufacturing processes, upstream, downstream and chemicals, and renewable energy specializing in complex commercial transactions, compliance, and dispute management. Proven capabilities as an in-house counsel for Fortune 100 companies as well as in private practice. Articulate communicator with strong presentation and negotiating skills. Adept at identifying and clarifying complex issues and presenting them succinctly in a simple and easy to understand manner. Native English speaker, conversant in French and Arabic.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Counsel, Head of Legal for Battery Energy Storage Business
Trina Solar
12.2023 - Current
- Sole legal counsel for Trina North America BESS business; led procurement (EPC, SaaS), IP, sales, and M&A transactions; negotiated 5+ GWh of utility-scale BESS sales, generating revenue growth and strategic partnerships.
- Advised leadership on compliance and risk, including IRA, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, domestic content, antitrust, trade, and dispute resolution.
- Built legal infrastructure, drafting contract templates (supply, services, consulting, employment, NDAs) and employee documentation (handbook, policies); supported HR on labor and employment issues.
- Corporate secretary and executive leadership team member; ensured governance compliance, maintained board records, and delivered legal training to enhance contract, compliance, and integrity practices.
Senior Counsel, Motion Business
ABB
10.2021 - 12.2023
- Led legal support for ABB’s Motion (MO) business in North America, overseeing all commercial transactions (supply, licensing, SaaS, sourcing, procurement, distribution) and supporting global M&A and mega transactions valued at $500M+.
- Developed and standardized legal infrastructure, including contract templates (purchase, NDA, framework, distributor, joint development, prototype, settlement agreements) and risk management processes.
- Advised leadership on compliance, data privacy, IP protection, and human rights, supporting communications, public relations, and DEI initiatives while serving as MO Human Rights Country Leader.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with engineering and product teams to launch new products and services; founded a legal forum that expanded into a global project to streamline contract decision-making.
Senior Counsel, Commercial, Legal Affairs
SABIC
08.2016 - 10.2021
- Drafted and negotiated all AMR region customer and third-party contracts, including master service/purchase, EPC, distributor, license, tolling, collaboration, consulting, and settlement agreements, as well as mega-project procurement contracts exceeding $500M and joint venture opportunities (e.g., multi-billion-dollar ExxonMobil JV).
- Provided legal counsel to the CEO, executive team, investors, and Board of Directors on corporate, commercial, compliance, data privacy, and real estate matters.
- Advanced SABIC’s circularity and sustainability initiatives, including strategic partnerships (e.g., Plastic Energy), United Nations SDGs, marketing and advertising compliance, and development of external materials highlighting SABIC’s innovations.
- Supported corporate governance and industry engagement, helping establish SABIC’s political action committee, serving on its board, and collaborating with trade groups (e.g., ACC) to align business strategy with industry advocacy and policy.
Associate General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer; Attorney
Vantage Drilling
07.2014 - 06.2016
- Established Company presence in new jurisdictions and negotiated strategic partnerships across the Middle East, West Africa, and Europe. Drafted and negotiated all global company contracts, including master service agreements, drilling contracts, employment and separation agreements, letters of intent, MOUs, intercompany service agreements, and secondment agreements.
- Served as compliance counsel, conducting anti-corruption and FCPA/UK Bribery Act due diligence, providing global employee training, monitoring supplier and employee compliance, and successfully achieving a favorable FCPA settlement.
- Oversaw corporate governance and legal operations, including company secretary responsibilities, policy and procedure revisions, litigation and dispute resolution support, and coordination of domestic and international bankruptcy proceedings.
Senior Procurement Contract Specialist; Procurement Contract Specialist
Halliburton
01.2013 - 07.2014
- Selected by Sr. VP & Head of Government Affairs to represent the company in lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.
- Drafted and negotiated multi-million-dollar global contracts, including master purchase/service agreements, letters of intent, letters of credit, leases, and other legal documentation supporting supplier relationships.
- Served on the team that designed and deployed the global electronic contract management system for the Western Hemisphere, including training executives and employees on system implementation and usage.
- Enhanced global contracting and compliance processes, assisting high-risk countries with contract adherence to local laws and company policies, and contributing to the redesign of corporate policies and procedures.
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence -
South Texas College of Law (STCL)
Houston, TX05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies: Communication & Media
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX05.2009
Skills
- Data privacy; cybersecurity
- Dispute resolution
- Employment law
- Corporate governance
- Mergers and acquisitions
Accomplishments
- Built Legal Functions from the Ground Up – Established the legal framework for Trina Solar's North America BESS business, creating contract templates, employee documentation, and compliance programs.
- Strategic Deal Support – Negotiated and supported multi-billion-dollar joint ventures and $500M+ procurement projects at SABIC and ABB, driving strategic growth and partnerships.
- Board & Executive Advisor – Served as corporate secretary and executive leadership team member , providing governance, compliance, and legal guidance directly to CEOs, boards, and senior leadership.
- Compliance & Risk Leadership – Directed compliance with Inflation Reduction Act, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, antitrust, data privacy, and global trade laws , mitigating high-stakes regulatory risks.
- Innovation & Digital Transformation – Led deployment of contract automation and e-contracting tools at Halliburton and ABB, streamlining global operations.
- Training & Culture Champion – Designed and launched global legal training programs, improving commercial contract acumen across businesses; selected as culture ambassador at SABIC and ABB.
- Sustainability & ESG Impact – Guided SABIC's partnerships advancing the circular economy , including building the first commercial unit producing certified circular polymers. Supported alignment with UN SDGs and industry alliances.
- Talent & DEI Leadership – Acted as DEI representative at ABB and co-founded the SABIC Women's Network (Houston chapter) to drive equity, inclusion, and professional development.
Affiliations
- Houston Committee of Foreign Relations Member, August 2017-Present
- Houston Young Lawyer's Foundation Lifetime Fellow (2025)
- International Section, Houston Bar Association Board Member (2016-2023)
- Houston Young Lawyer's Association Member and 2019 Leadership Academy Participant
- Junior Achievement Volunteer, January 2019 to 2022
- Houston Junior League Member, December 2013-2020
- Dress for Success Houston Volunteer, April 2015-2021
- Children's Museum of Houston Overnight Programs Volunteer, August 2016 to 2019
- Health Museum Overnight Programs Volunteer, May 2019-2020
- Texas Children's Hospital Volunteer, June 2014-2019
- Houston Museum of Natural Sciences Egypt Hall Chair
Certification
- Certified Mediator (Texas)
- Texas Bar License
Languages
English
Full Professional
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working
Timeline
Senior Counsel, Head of Legal for Battery Energy Storage Business
Trina Solar
12.2023 - Current
Senior Counsel, Motion Business
ABB
10.2021 - 12.2023
Senior Counsel, Commercial, Legal Affairs
SABIC
08.2016 - 10.2021
Associate General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer; Attorney
Vantage Drilling
07.2014 - 06.2016
Senior Procurement Contract Specialist; Procurement Contract Specialist
Halliburton
01.2013 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies: Communication & Media
Texas A&M University
Doctor of Jurisprudence -
South Texas College of Law (STCL)
Awards
Honors: SABIC Young Leadership Council member, AMR culture ambassador, Year-End Meeting Master of Ceremonies (2017)
Publications
Haykal, Mira, “Bankruptcy Law–Whether the Bankruptcy Court had the Statutory Authority under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) to Issue a Final Judgment on a Tortious Interference Counterclaim, and Whether Such Authority is Constitutional,” 44 Tex. J. Bus. Law 1, 95-97 (2011).
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