It has been a busy year in the Middle East legal market, marked by mergers and big moves from both firms and individuals.
These were your ten most-read stories this year:
10. 7 things to think about when moving to work as a lawyer in the UAE
Whether on secondment or looking to stay, Dubai associate Inshaal Ahmad shared the seven need-to-knows, from tax to tradition to technology. Read the article.
9. Exclusive: King & Spalding in merger talks with local firm in Saudi Arabia
In November, Law Middle East exclusively revealed that King & Spalding and AlFahad & Partners, a local law firm in Saudi Arabia, proposed to merge, in a tie-up that would significantly bolster their presence in the Kingdom. Read the story.
8. Riyadh associate salaries ‘up to 20% higher’ than in Dubai
Associate salaries in Riyadh are up to a fifth higher than in Dubai, managing partners at international law firms based across both cities told Law Middle East this summer. The law firm leaders in charge of hiring decisions at their respective firms said associates in Riyadh earn between 15% to 20% more than their counterparts in Dubai. Read the article.
7. K&A partner joins Latham in Riyadh
In August, Latham & Watkins announced that Leen Zaza had joined the firm’s M&A and private equity practice from Khoshaim & Associates (K&A), where she worked for over a decade. Read the story.
6. Former Saudi Venture Capital legal chief joins King & Spalding as partner
Saudi Venture Capital’s former chief legal officer joined King & Spalding as a partner in July. Haifa Bahaian joined the firm’s real estate and funds practice, based in Riyadh. Read the story.
5. White & Case launches Middle East training contract
White & Case launched a training contract offering a pathway to qualification as an England & Wales solicitor from its Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh offices. Read the story.
4. Meet one of the first Emirati female partners at a Magic Circle law firm
From balancing motherhood with her busy transactional and financial regulatory practice, Linklaters partner Reem Alsayegh told Law Middle East how she made it in an exclusive interview. Read the article.
3. King & Spalding appoints four partners in record Middle East promotion round
Earlier this month King & Spalding appointed four partners in the Middle East, making it the firm’s largest ever promotion round in the region. Read the story.
2. Kirkland & Ellis Middle East head: We aim to ‘build the best law firm culture and brand’ in KSA
Kirkland & Ellis partner and Middle East practice head Kamran Bajwa spoke to Law Middle East over the summer about his growth plans for the firm’s regional headquarters in Riyadh. Read the interview.
1. Skadden to open first Middle East office in Abu Dhabi
Media reports circulating in early October revealed that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is to open its first Middle East office in Abu Dhabi, with Freshfields’ former regional managing partner, Michael Hilton, at the helm. Read the story.
