Ogier, an international legal and professional services firm, has strengthened its Cayman Islands investment funds practice with the relocation of a lawyer from London to Dubai.
Dominic Athwal has joined the firm’s Dubai office, which opened in November 2023, working between the Cayman Islands and the Middle East.
In addition to his relocation, Athwal has been promoted from senior associate to counsel, according to a statement from the firm.
He advises hedge funds, private equity funds, asset managers, sponsors, and family offices on the establishment, regulation, corporate governance and ongoing operation of Cayman Islands domiciled investment funds, as well as the establishment of venture capital and other funding structures based in Cayman.
Athwal has been with Ogier for over five years, working in the Cayman Islands, London, and now Dubai. He was previously at Pinsent Masons in Leeds, UK, and has also been part of the finance teams at Bond Dickinson (now Womble Bond Dickinson), DLA Piper, HSBC, and Barclays.
“I am excited to be joining the team in Dubai,” said Athwal. “There is extensive funds work between the Cayman Islands and the Middle East and I look forward to contributing to Ogier’s expertise in those transactions.”
Ogier’s practice partner in Dubai, David Welford, added: “We are delighted that Dominic has relocated to boost the funds expertise in our team. The variety of expertise in services available in our newest office is growing rapidly and Dominic can advise on the full life-cycle of open-ended and closed-ended funds domiciled in the Cayman Islands.”
In March, managing associate Ridhiima Kapoor relocated to Dubai to add Cayman transactional legal expertise to Ogier’s team.
Offshore firms continue to expand their presence in the Middle East, with Maples Group and Walkers Global establishing offices in Dubai in 2005, and others understood to be looking to the region.
