Region Area

Lawyers

Gary Watts

Al Tamimi & Company, United Arab Emirates

Work Department

Corporate Commercial and M&A

Position

Partner, Head of Corporate Commercial

Career

Gary is head of Al Tamimi & Company’s Corporate and Commercial Department. Gary is a highly experienced corporate lawyer who has practised in both advisory and transactional settings for more than 20 years.

In Australia, Gary was the senior corporate partner for a regional Australian law firm (Fisher Jeffries) serving corporate and institutional clients. Gary served as Chairman of the Law Council of Australia’s peak technical committee on corporate law matters and as a member of the Australian Government’s Takeovers Panel. He was also a member of the statutory advisory committee advising the Australian Government on the reform of corporate and securities law.

Gary has practised in the UAE since 2006. Gary has particular expertise in structuring issues for corporate groups operating throughout the GCC/MENA countries and is an expert in directors’ duties, corporate governance, shareholder rights (both listed and family companies) and corporate trusts.

Gary’s experience in the Gulf region includes major acquisitions, IPOs, due diligence enquiries, corporate restructurings and complex private equity agreements.

Gary has advised some of the largest family companies in the Middle East and the wider MENA region on their legal structures and regularly drafts “tailor-made” and comprehensive Family Constitutions for major family groups in the region.

Languages

English

Memberships

Admitted to Supreme Court of South Australia and High Court of Australia - 1977

Education

Bachelor of Laws, University of Adelaide, Australia - 1976