Addleshaw Goddard has appointed a commercial disputes partner in Dubai.
Lucas Pitts has joined from Bird & Bird, where he spearhead the establishment and development of the firm’s Middle East dispute resolution practice.
The international arbitration and litigation lawyer brings over 15 years of regional experience to the role, and has spent more than a decade in the UAE.
His experience also spans fraud claims, insolvency, and investigations, as well as sector-specific matters across telecommunications, banking, aviation, defence, energy, and more.
Pitts has operated across multiple jurisdictions handling cases under various legal frameworks such as the DIFC, ADGM, and international arbitration bodies including the ICC, LCIA, DIAC, and SIAC.
“Lucas is an exceptional addition to our commercial disputes team, and we are delighted to welcome him to Addleshaw Goddard,” said Robin Hickman, head of Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard. “His broad experience across jurisdictions and sectors is a perfect match for our strategy to deliver sophisticated, high-value services to our clients. His deep understanding of the Middle East legal landscape further strengthens our ability to support clients in resolving complex challenges. We are confident he will play a key role in enhancing our regional and international offering.”
Pitts added: “Joining Addleshaw Goddard is an incredible opportunity to work with a firm that is deeply committed to excellence in dispute resolution. The firm’s clear vision, international reach, and collaborative culture align perfectly with my own approach to legal practice. I look forward to working with the talented team here to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients in what is a dynamic and evolving regional market.”
Addleshaw Goddard launched in the Middle East in 2012, and has since grown to more than 20 partners and close to 100 other lawyers across four regional offices in Dubai, Doha, Muscat, and Riyadh. The firm recently marked one year in Riyadh.
Addleshaw Goddard’s Middle East revenue surged by 28% in its most recent financial results reported last year. At the time, Hickman told Law Middle East the firm plans to double in size over the next five years.
