Addleshaw Goddard is targeting 40% income growth in the Middle East over the next five years.
The ambitious target comes months after the international law firm opened an office in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, which it said is “essential” to delivering this growth in the Middle East.
Moreover, the firm reported its revenues in the Middle East region have more than doubled over the past decade.
Addleshaws currently has 24 partners and over 60 lawyers across its four Middle East offices in Dubai, Doha, Muscat, and Riyadh.
One of these partners includes Luke Aylett, who was this month promoted to the firm’s partnership, based in Dubai. A corporate law specialist, Aylett advises corporates, financial institutions, and private equity houses on transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and disposals, and focuses on sectors including retail, education, technology, and logistics.
He is one of 26 new partners at the firm, which is its largest promotions round to date, according to a statement.
The firm has been actively growing its partnership and in the past year has promoted and laterally recruited 63 new partners in the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
Addleshaw Goddard senior partner Aster Crawshaw said: “We continue to pursue partner recruitment very actively, but equally important to our growth strategy is ensuring we promote our home-grown talent to deliver the best results for our clients.”
Addleshaws last week announced it had appointed a new leader for the Middle East. Robin Hickman succeeded Andrew Johnston, who was elected managing partner for a term of four years, effective May 1.
Under his leadership, the Middle East practice is targeting revenue growth of 60% over the next five years.
The Middle East was the firm’s fastest growing region in its most recently reported financial year, delivering 43% income growth. Since 2019, lawyer headcount in the Middle East has more than doubled.
A number of international law firms have made partner promotions in the Middle East. Bird & Bird promoted UAE-based corporate and employment specialist Surabhi Singhi to the partnership earlier this month.
