Basem is a Jordanian national and the Senior Partner of the firm. Basem obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Philadelphia and a Masters degree in Commercial Law from the University of Amman, Jordan. Basem was admitted as an advocate at the Jordanian Bar in 2002.

Prior to practising in the UAE, Basem worked for a number of pre-eminent law firms in Jordan where he gained excellent and extensive experience and exposure in a range of different legal disciplines, which included banking, corporate /commercial, and real estate matters.

At Ali Habib & Associates, Basem concentrates on contentious and non-contentious matters. His litigation practice includes inter alia: construction, bankruptcy, criminal procedure, insurance, telecommunications, breach of contract, oil and gas, personal injury, financial institutions, bonds (securitisations, project bonds, high-yield, convertible, and exchangeable bonds and Islamic bond issuances and Islamic Sharia banking transactions, multi-jurisdictional disputes, charter party disputes, cargo claims, shipbuilding, freight and derivatives, conversions and repair disputes and ship sale and purchase disputes and advice on all aspects of the acquisition, disposal, financing and operation of ships, super yachts, and offshore equipment used in the maritime industry, documentary credits, transportation, international sales, manufacturers, retailers, warehouses, entertainment facilities, and claims alleging minority shareholder oppression.

Basem regularly advises local, regional and foreign investors, public companies, suppliers, traders, owners, shareholders, operators, employers, main contractors, sub-contractors, property owners, vendors, governments and government agencies, utilities, consultants, insurers, and financial institutions, ship owners, charterers, ports, shipyards, protection and indemnity associations, institutions involved in the marine transport and insurance industries.