Harriet Aalyiana Mdala is a distinguished corporate and commercial lawyer with over 12 years of experience advising clients on complex legal matters in Zambia and beyond. As a Partner at MAY and Company, she leads teams in mergers and acquisitions, mining, energy and infrastructure, competition law, corporate governance, real estate, aviation, and regulatory compliance.

Harriet has played a pivotal role in structuring, negotiating, and executing mergers, joint ventures, and disposal transactions, ranging from domestic deals to intricate multijurisdictional transactions involving multiple parties, advisors, and financiers. Her diverse client portfolio includes multinational corporations, private equity funds, NGOs, high-net-worth individuals, and local industry leaders.

Beyond her legal practice, Harriet is deeply engaged in governance and institutional development. She has advised numerous organizations, including associations, clubs, NGOs, chambers of commerce, and trusts, on governance structures and strategic development. Most recently, through MAY and Company, she was appointed as the main legal advisor for the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), tasked with reviewing its governance and electoral framework. She also facilitated the establishment of a strategic vehicle for a collective of oil marketing companies, strengthening their position within the Zambian market.

A respected leader, Harriet serves as the President of the French Business Circle, championing commercial ties and fostering international business growth. She also holds directorships, including at Instapay Limited, and previously served as the Board and Company Secretary for Barclays Life Zambia.

Her professional excellence has earned her accolades from IFLR 1000, which recognized her among "Leading Women" and "Rising Partners" in 2021 and 2022. She is also acknowledged by Legal 500 as a "Next Generation Partner" and featured in Chambers Global as an emerging force in Zambia’s legal industry.

Harriet remains an influential voice in legal and business communities, holding memberships in the Law Association of Zambia, Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education, and the Local Government Elections Tribunal. With a reputation for innovation, strategic thinking, and legal acumen, she continues to shape Zambia's corporate legal landscape.

Harriet’s expertise has been internationally recognized. She has completed specialized legal certifications in Public-Private Partnerships, Power Projects, Infrastructure Law, and Legal Project Management, equipping her with a deep understanding of Zambia's evolving commercial and regulatory landscape.