DWF to go international with Dubai office

UK and Ireland legal practice DWF is to open in the Middle East.

A new office in Dubai will support its clients across the construction, energy, insurance and transport sectors in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).

The firm’s first office outside the British Isles is beiong launched in response to demand from major developers and contractors, and insurer clients, for legal advice on the ground in Dubai to support the construction boom in large infrastructure, housing, tourism, and air and port facilities across the Middle East.

DWF has grown rapidly since 2006 to become one of the UK’s top 20 law firms, merging with Scottish practice Biggart Baillie on the way. It now employs more than 2,500 people across 12 locations in the UK and Ireland, turning over £189m in 2013-14.

The Dubai office will launch with a team of four, including two partners who will advise on contentious and non-contentious construction matters, professional indemnity and non-marine insurance work. The team will be led by Chris Ryan, a partner since 2011. DWF has also recruited construction partner Steven Hunt from Holland & Knight, a practitioner with 11 years' experience of the Middle East, along with his colleague Fernando Ortega who joins DWF as a consultant. Jeremy Speller, who has worked for DWF in London for the last three years, will also be based in Dubai. 

DWF plans to build a range of complementary service lines over a three year period which will see it supporting both new and existing clients.

Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner and CEO, commented: “There is a real opportunity for us in Dubai. We’ve supported clients in Dubai and across the MENA region for many years and it’s become increasingly clear that there is demand for our services on the ground, particularly in relation to construction and insurance work. We’re building a strong team with superb credentials and have a pipeline of work from existing clients already underway so we’re off to a very strong start and look forward to consolidating our commitment to this hugely important region.”