Nabil A. Issa

Background & Education

• What year did you graduate, and what was your major/minor?

I majored in political science with a focus on theory. I minored in U.S. history (mostly taking the constitutional history classes with Michael Parrish). I graduated in 1994 with distinction in major and Phi Beta Kappa. I was part of the first graduate class of Thurgood Marshall (which was Third College when I first got to UCSD). I essentially took every theory class possible with Professor Alan Houston and the law related courses with Peter Irons, Harry Hirsch and others. I loved getting to understand the philosophical underpinnings of our laws.

• What drew you to choose your field of study?

• Were there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a significant impact on you?

I fondly recall the classes with Alan Houston, Peter Irons, Harry Hirsch and Michael Parrish. I particularly enjoyed the political theory classes with Professor Houston and felt that the laws in U.S. society made more sense after studying the philosophical underpinnings of our society, especially the writings of the founding fathers of the U.S. While I did not appreciate it at the time, I realized much later how much I benefited from the Dimensions of Culture program at Third College/Thurgood Marshall and the honors seminars at Third/Marshall.

Career Journey

• What is your current role and organization?

I am a managing partner at King & Spalding LLP and split time between our Dubai, UAE and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia offices. As a lawyer I focus on general corporate, private equity and funds matters. A large portion of my matters require me to structure deals on a Shari’ah-compliant basis. I am also on various global mentoring and diversity committees at my law firm.

• Can you briefly describe your career path since graduation?

Following graduation from UCSD, I took a gap semester and studied Arabic with a blind family friend in Alexandria, Egypt. I then enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and did graduate work in Islamic and Middle East studies as well as pursue my JD at their law school. While at Penn Law, I became a founding member of the Journal of Constitutional Law (which I understand is now a leading publication in this field) as well as getting involved with the Jessup International Law moot court team. After taking the New York and New Jersey bar exams, I was a Fulbright Fellow at UAE University where I did research on both comparative constitutional systems as well as the legal implication of the United Arab Emirates joining the World Trade Organization. Following the Fulbright, I joined a law firm in Dubai. After a few years, I was ready for a new challenge and joined Baker Botts in their Riyadh office. In 2008, I joined King & Spalding LLP as a senior associate and helped them launch their Middle East offices. I eventually became a partner and a few years ago became a managing partner.

• What challenges have you faced in your professional journey, and how did you overcome them?

The legal profession at a top law firm is intense and requires one to be very dedicated to the craft. It is often said that the law is a jealous mistress. Nevertheless, one has to make time for his/her spirituality, health, and family.

• How did your education prepare you for your current career?

I feel my education was both in the classroom and spending time with the students from my dorm. I had certain biases and beliefs and just spending time with fellow students from every socio-economic background, race, political persuasion, etc gave me a crash course on being able to get along with and finding common purpose with almost anyone.  Many of my achievements are partly because someone else told me about an opportunity.  There is no substitute to networking and being able work with and communicate with folks where you may not initially have any common interests. 

Life at the University

• What are your favorite memories from your time as a student?

I got into music while at UCSD and saw the most amazing bands before they became household names. I think most students would agree that the Sun God festival is one of the highlights of the year. Some bands like Blacksmith Union and the Rugburns never seemed to grow outside the fanbase in San Diego, while I got to also see emerging bands like Rage Against the Machine, Social Distortion, Jewel, Gin Blossoms and No Doubt before others had heard of these bands/singers. I also spent a lot of time with my girlfriend, who is now my wife, seeing plays at La Jolla Playhouse and exploring San Diego together. Many of my memories were just hanging out with my roommates, many of whom are still my closest friends. One of them is now an ENT surgeon and we speak on an almost weekly basis. We thought we had the answers to all of the world’s toughest problems. When I would be especially stressed, I would head to the beach or walk around in La Jolla and realize I was in arguably the most beautiful place in the world.

• Were you involved in any student organizations, internships, or research?

I played intramural flag football and was in a pre-law group called Phi Alpha Delta. I regularly attended InterVarsity Bible studies on campus. I conducted research in relation to my honors thesis for the poli sci department. In terms of jobs, I enjoyed working with a blind lawyer in San Diego who needed assistance with various tasks as he was starting his law firm.

• What advice would you give your college self?

Don’t let the haters make you believe in their version of you. At times I was dealing with imposter syndrome as some folks tried to convince me that my public school education in Hemet, CA would not allow me to compete with students coming from the top magnet schools, etc. Make time for God and others and everything else will work out for the best. Also, if you don’t get a particular job/opportunity then just know there is a better opportunity around the corner. I also graduated in three years, but would have told myself to not rush and take more time to enjoy my courses. 

Advice & Reflection

• What advice do you have for current students or recent graduates?

There is no substitute for simply being consistent. Make a plan as to your goals and take steps every day to get closer to those goals. Also, focus on taking classes or taking jobs/internships where you will learn new skills, not just focus on grades or money. Keep striving for curiosity and self-improvement. You will have lots of situations where you will have to make a tough decision and values will conflict, it is the choices you make in those moments that help you clarify who you really are and want to be on this planet. Also pursue some opportunities that scare you or you believe you are not qualified for, you may be surprised by the result. In the worst case scenario, you don’t get that job, scholarship, spot at ABC graduate school, that is OK and no one needs to know. Too many of us don’t take a risk out of fear of rejection and we end up rejecting ourselves. Remember you would not be at UCSD, if you were not already among the smartest folks on the planet. Take time to get to know your fellow students, one or more of them may turn out to be your future spouse, business partner, client or funder. I partly didn't fully realize how fortunate I was to be studying political science at UCSD until I was in New York during my undergraduate days and was shocked during a trip to Columbia University bookstore and noticed that the assigned readings were at times books by professors at UCSD. Find ways to give back to your community and ways to reconnect with UCSD as an alum. Finally, take time to really spend time with your parents. They love you more than anyone else in the world and really do want what they believe is best for you.

• Are there any skills or habits you developed in college that you still use today?

The quarter system is intense and requires one to learn a lot of information in a short amount of time, while trying to also balance some level of social life. This was great preparation for both law school and the intensity required at a law firm. I also benefitted from a course of study, where I eventually understood there could be more than one “right answer” as long as it was well reasoned and backed up by evidence. Such has been instrumental in helping me innovate new legal structures in my current work.

• What does success mean to you now compared to when you first graduated?

In college I was focused on getting it completed with the highest GPA possible to head to law school. Success now means not only doing well in my job but finding ways to help others, while also making time for family, spiritual well-being and health.

• What do you think about the current climate and/or industry trends, and what do you recommend students should focus on or do to prepare?

I suggest most students to embrace technology and be tech savvy. I also suggest students take a personal finance course and try to ensure they understand the basics of business. Be ready to pivot, your future job will likely not be exactly what you end up studying.

Personal Insights

• What motivates or inspires you in your work or personal life?

My family and I spend time every year working with an impoverished group called the Zabaleen (trash people) in Cairo Egypt and the homeless or near homeless population through our church in Long Beach, CA. One realizes there is a great deal of good fortune in having access to a great education and having opportunities other folks will never have due to where they were born or certain circumstances in life. While life has ups and downs, one must always remember how fortunate they are to have their health and certain opportunities.

• Are there any books, podcasts, or resources that have been especially helpful to you?

I am a fan of the books and podcasts of Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell. I also spend time on spiritual books and podcasts from the Coptic Orthodox Church. I rediscovered this area of Christianity in my 40s and am still a student.

• What are you most proud of in your personal or professional life?

In terms of professional life, I am quite proud of the legal structures that I have helped create that have become the blueprint for JV and fund structures in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. I have also played a key role in dramatically growing my law firm in the Middle East. In my personal life, I am pleased with the wonderful friends and family that I have as well as being still married to my high school sweetheart. I am also proud that my family understands the importance of giving back and that all success is partly based on generosity of others.

— Questions answered on September 2nd, 2025