The start of a new quarter is a useful time to take stock of progress and plan for the months ahead.
In this feature, to be published quarterly, we speak to managing partners at local, regional, and international law firms to track what they have been thinking about this past quarter and what they envision for the next.
Below four law firm leaders in Dubai share their priorities for the final quarter of the year; from recruitment to artificial intelligence, compliance with local regulations, cybersecurity and data protection, diversity and more.
Mohammad Al Rasheed, UAE managing partner at Baker McKenzie, Dubai:
“Our firm has been operating throughout the Middle East for over four decades, establishing a strong reputation across the region. Our aim is to leverage this reputation and our strengths in the various jurisdictions we operate in across the region to focus on key growth areas that will further enhance our market position. One of our top priorities is to deepen our relationships with existing clients while developing new, long-term partnerships with those seeking high-quality legal services across multiple practices and jurisdictions.
We are also committed to attracting, retaining, and nurturing top talent, particularly in specific practice areas. With this in mind, recently, we have made a number of key hires at partner-level across the region including in banking and finance, capital markets, dispute resolution, and data, cyber and technology. Furthermore, we recognize that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is both a moral and business imperative. Therefore, we are focused on promoting a diverse workforce that reflects the global nature of our clients since this will strengthen and enhance our ability to handle complex international issues. By fostering an inclusive culture, where diverse voices are heard and valued, we are confident that we will enhance collaboration and innovation.
Finally, we are operating in a region that has seen significant regulatory changes in recent years. We therefore must continuously take measures to ensure that we operate in a manner that is compliant with local regulations across different jurisdictions.”
Sadiq Jafar, managing partner, Hadef & Partners, Dubai:
“We invest in strategic growth initiatives to ensure long-term growth and continued success. We focus on staying abreast of, and adapting to, the rapidly evolving requirements of clients, with a focus on value-driven, efficient service. Embracing legal technology and AI to enhance the quality and speed of delivery is a priority, while investment in cybersecurity and data protection is necessary to safeguard reputation and maintain trust.
Staying ahead of regulatory change and practice area developments maintains competitive edge. Our people are the most important asset and we’re fully committed to our diverse, inclusive working culture, which is key to attracting and retaining top talent. Meanwhile, we cultivate leadership skills among partners and associates to ensure the future is secure.”
Mark Bisch, partner in charge at Baker Botts, Dubai:
“The Middle East, where Baker Botts has had a long-standing presence for decades, has been a real driver of the energy and technology sectors, and has ambitions for global dominance. Baker Botts aims to continue, and to play an expanded role, in that journey.
Baker Botts has continued to see success in building out its energy and technology capabilities in the Middle East, with many new energy (e.g., hydrogen, unconventional oil and gas development, etc.) and technology (e.g., artificial intelligence, defense, space, digital banking, Data as a service (DaaS), etc.) mandates in the Middle East.
Also, we have now relocated our global head of construction, Stuart Jordan, to the Middle East, and added a head of technology in the Middle East, Alexander Hendry, to support our anticipated continued growth in energy and technology work in the region. We look forward to continue providing an invaluable blend of global reach and specialized expertise in these sectors.”
Jim Loftis, office managing partner and head of international dispute resolution at Vinson & Elkins, Dubai:
“Vinson & Elkins’ Middle East disputes practice is strategically focused on core markets and key clients across the region, particularly in the major construction, energy, and technology sectors. The momentum behind large-scale construction projects remains strong, while interest in new regional opportunities continues to grow. Through our ongoing dialogue with clients, we’ve observed a notable expansion in technically complex projects along the energy value chain, alongside a rising emphasis on energy transition and low-carbon solutions. We expect increased diversification of energy generation projects, as well as a surge in major commercial and developmental joint ventures in these areas.
As we align our capabilities and capacity with these evolving demands, Dubai has emerged as the natural hub for this work, and we are pleased to see the growing profile of Dubai as a leading destination for dispute resolution.”
Read the insights from quarter two and quarter three.
