DLA Piper > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 1

A key port of call for contractors and project finance sponsors, DLA Piper is experienced in contentious construction matters. Andrew Mackenzie is proficient in energy and engineering disputes, Suzannah Newboult is versed in infrastructure issues, while Adam Haque is knowledgeable of construction contracts. Terrick McCallum and Kara Henderson-Price are other key members, while Nacim Bounouara has relocated to the firm’s Dubai office from London.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 1

DLA Piper is widely regarded for its expertise in handling complex, high-value, and multi-jurisdictional cases, including onshore and offshore litigation, international arbitration, and regulatory investigations. The team is renowned for its skill in construction, engineering, and infrastructure disputes, as well as its standout capabilities in sanctions, compliance, and white-collar investigations. Team head Andrew Mackenzie has a notable track record in the DIFC, ADGM and major arbitration forums, specialising in construction, engineering, financial services, and post-M&A disputes. Henry Quinlan  stands out for his skill in arbitration, while Wissam Dagher is active across ons-hore courts, arbitral tribunals and off-shore courts. Adam Bradshaw and Andrew Massey also come recommended.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations Tier 1

DLA Piper has a strong focus on economic sanctions and export controls, offering expert advice on complex, cross-border investigations and compliance issues. The team is also well-placed to handle a broad range of matters including fraud, bribery, money laundering, sanctions breaches, cyber-security issues, and supply chain and ESG concerns. Group lead Andrew Mackenzie is recognised for his skill in commercial litigation, while co-lead Adam Vause leverages over twenty years of investigative experience to comprehensively advise a strong roster of international and regional clients on regulatory and compliance issues and reporting obligations to regulators in a number of jurisdictions. Ramsey Jurdi is praised as a ‘highly knowledgeable partner with a practical, proactive approach’ and acts on regulatory and enforcement matters arising from economic sanctions. Laura Shingler also comes recommended.

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 1

With activity across the hospitality, leisure, and logistics sectors, DLA Piper regularly handles hospitality and urban regeneration projects. Duncan Pickering, who leads the practice, is well versed in investment acquisitions, while Sean Cope is often engaged in mixed-use developments. Nicola De Sylva is proficient in leasing and Marta Almeida is experienced in property transactions.

United Arab Emirates > TMT Tier 1

Well regarded in the fintech sector, DLA Piper is proficient in AI solutions, data protection, intellectual property, and technology transactions. Paul Allen, who oversees the practice, often advises both regional and wider international clients on digital transformation projects. Saba Al Sultani is noted for her expertise in copyright, domain, and trademark matters, while Rami Zayat is especially capable in IT contracts work. Sam O’Neill is often engaged in cloud service arrangements.

United Arab Emirates > Employment Tier 2

With strength in onshore labour litigation, pension schemes, and employment rewards and incentives, DLA Piper‘s employment practice in the UAE is headed by Iain Skinner. Skinner handles employee transfers, restrictive covenants, and terminations, while Natalie Jones is proficient in the employment aspects of transactional matters.

United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 2

DLA Piper has strengthened its Middle Eastern projects team with the addition of Nacim Bounouara who relocated from the firm’s London office to lead the practice. Bounouara brings additional project development and finance expertise to a team actively involved in complex energy and infrastructure projects throughout the Gulf. Robert Harker offers recognised Independent Water and Power experience, while Adam Haque is well-positioned to advise on utilities and energy transition matters. Mona Hammadi, who was promoted to partner in April 2024, continues to provide key procurement, development and financing counsel to sponsors, lenders and government-backed entities.

United Arab Emirates > Intellectual property Tier 2

A key port of call for domestic and international clients on trademark portfolio management, DLA Piper's team is headed by Saba Al Sultani, who is skilled at copyright, domain, and trademark matters, and counts consumer goods, energy, and retail companies as clients. Paul Allen is global co-chair of the intellectual property and technology practice, while Alicia Ma is proficient in copyright enforcement and protection. Rachel Pieris often handles brand licensing and intellectual property settlement agreements.

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 3

DLA Piper provides comprehensive support to clients across a diverse array of banking and finance mandates, enhancing its transactional expertise with significant regulatory knowledge. The team has recently experienced notable growth in its restructuring practice, representing administrators, liquidators, and trustees involved in high-profile bankruptcies and insolvencies. Team head Paul McViety is frequently sought after by financial institutions, sponsors, funds, and governmental bodies for both domestic and cross-border conventional and Islamic financing advice. Co-head James Iremonger is particularly renowned for his work in distressed finance, actively engaging with multiple sectors. Richard Dassin adds further depth with his expertise in derivatives and structured Islamic finance products. Jonathan Downey has a broad financing remit.

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Financial services regulation Tier 3

Regarded as a firm ‘defined by the exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication of the individuals in its team‘, DLA Piper has strengthened its financial services regulatory practice through the hire of Adrianus Schoorl from White & Case LLP in April 2024. A prominent practitioner in the market, Schoorl leads the team, leveraging previous market and in-house regulatory experience to advise clients across a wide array of financial products, licensing, and compliance instructions. Paul Allen sits as global co-chair of intellectual property and technology in the firm, overseeing digital transformation projects. Rami Zayat comes recommended for his skill in fintech matters.

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Praised for its ‘profound understanding of local law and the unique challenges facing global organisations‘, DLA Piper has a wide commercial and corporate practice that is particularly well-geared to act on transactions in the life sciences and healthcare sector. Team head Will Seivewright oversees public and private M&A, PE and venture capital deals, whilst also being noted for his ‘strong understanding of complex business set-ups’. Thérèse Abou-Zeid  has recently led on multi-jurisdictional corporate restructurings, and Richard Hughes on transactions in the energy, healthcare and industrial sectors. Nassar Nassar provides further expertise in venture capital mandates.

Bahrain > Banking and finance (including Islamic finance)

DLA Piper Middle East LLP‘s banking and finance division holds broad expertise in transactional matters and is recommended for advisory work in the financial sector. The team is experienced in matters involving the facilitation and financing of large-scale projects, being frequently retained by government ministries, along with structuring and due-diligence-related work for loan and stake transactions. The team is headed by Mohamed Toorani, who is active in local and foreign jurisdictions, particularly in the Gulf, and is well supported by co-heads Paul McViety and James Iremonger from Dubai.

Bahrain > Commercial, corporate and M&A

DLA Piper Middle East LLP‘s corporate and commercial practice is highly international, frequently multinational in cross-border mandates, such as M&As, joint ventures, regulatory matters, due diligence, and structurings. Mohamed Toorani heads the Bahrain office, and is recognised for his corporate and financial expertise. Paul McViety advises on Islamic finance, project finance and other transactions and chairs the team alongside Dubai-based Peter Somekh.

Qatar > Dispute resolution

DLA Piper's dispute resolution team is noted by clients for its ‘high competency, direct approach and availability', leveraging the firm's international presence to advise multinational clients on cross-border disputes. The department stands out for its track record in cases in the construction industry, and is retained to advise clients on disputes both in Qatar and those occurring abroad, including Europe. George Vlavianos co-heads the team with Andrew Mackenzie. Mackenzie's background in commercial cases, including shareholder disputes, white-collar crime and international arbitration in the technology and financial industries, complements Vlavianos' focus on energy and construction sector disputes, along with his work in regional matters.

Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance

Combining their local knowledge and international experience, DLA Piper Legal Consultants’s team is renowned for its extensive knowledge of ‘complex financing transactions’. The team advises on a broad range of domestic and international financing transactions, with a focus on real estate financing, asset and project financing, Islamic financing, and leveraged and acquisition financing. The team is led by Riyadh-based Paul Latto , who is specialised in leveraged, acquisition and project financing, as well as restructurings. James Iremonger oversees the regional finance team across the Middle East.

Bahrain > Dispute resolution

Leveraging the firm's strong international presence, DLA Piper Middle East LLP has a strong track record in contentious matters in the energy, financial and construction segments, and frequently oversees cross-border commercial litigation and arbitration involving insolvencies, debt claims, and contract breaches. Mohamed Toorani co-heads the team with  Andrew Mackenzie, both sought after by clients for their experience in major arbitration forums.

Qatar > Commercial, corporate and M&A

Will Seivewright and Brenda Hill jointly lead the corporate and commercial team at DLA Piper, and are retained for a broad spectrum of M&A mandates, along with advising local and international clients on business restructurings, licensing and other regulatory areas. The team is equally adept at cross-border matters, overseeing incorporations, share sales and restructurings across jurisdictions. The UAE-based Richard Hughes lends to the team his expertise in multi-jurisdictional transactions, while Elias Al-Far is experienced in incorporations, share and asset disposals, and franchises.

Qatar > Projects, real estate and construction

The finance and projects department at DLA Piper stands out for its ‘excellent knowledge of the construction law and market in the Middle East’. It advises clients most notably on contentious matters, where the team frequently represents companies in international arbitration. The team's experience also extends to regulatory and advisory roles in the real estate, energy and construction sectors, including the development and financing of public infrastructure, leasing of workspaces and other projects. Andrew Mackenzie co-heads the team with George Vlavianos and Nacim Bounouara. Duncan Pickering adds significant real estate expertise to the department.

Saudi Arabia > Dispute resolution

DLA Piper Legal Consultants handles commercial, finance and construction disputes, including complex matters arising from economic sanctions, employment, tax, data protection and bankruptcy. In addition to litigation, the team boasts significant arbitration experience, representing clients in major international and regional arbitration centres. The team is led by Dubai-based Andrew Mackenzie, a seasoned litigator and arbitrator.