Baker McKenzie Baker McKenzie
How Can We Help?

United Arab Emirates

View from above
Insight | Handbook

Doing Business in the United Arab Emirates 2023

Comprehensive guide to understanding the current investment and legal landscape in the UAE.
Read More

Overview

Baker McKenzie has been in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for over 40 years and our UAE offices form an integral part of Baker & McKenzie's renowned MENA practice. As with all of our offices, we have deep local roots, offering an integrated global reach to seamlessly assist clients looking to solve complex problems across borders and practice areas.

We have supported our clients on their most sensitive and challenging transactions, helping them to both optimize opportunities and mitigate risk. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 30 lawyers on the ground provides a full-service offering, advising on both onshore, UAE and offshore/free zone matters (including in the DIFC and ADGM), as well as matters of English law.

Our clients include some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, global and regional financial institutions, private equity funds, leading conglomerates, family offices and many of the world’s largest companies.

Download our brochure

Download our guide to Doing Business in the UAE

Offices

Abu Dhabi

Level 8, Al Sila Tower
Abu Dhabi Global Market Square
Al Maryah Island, P.O. Box 44980
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 2 696 1200 Fax: +971 2 676 6477

Dubai

Level 14, O14 Tower
Al Abraj Street
Business Bay, P.O. Box 507176
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 542 1900 Fax: +971 4 542 1902

Building on our Firm's local and global expertise, we offer comprehensive, integrated tax and legal services including:

Doing Business Guides

We are one of few firms authorized to provide formal legal training to all lawyers in the UAE. Our lawyers benefit from working in an environment filled with experienced legal professionals. Our lawyers also receive professional development training from the Dubai Legal Affairs Department and participate in global training programs such as the Associate Transfer Program.

Our UAE offices also offer England & Wales Training Contracts, a two-year training program encompassing at least three areas of English law that provides trainees with the basic knowledge and skills to become qualified E&W lawyers.

Get up-to-date information on the current legal and regulatory matters impacting your business. Search by country, industry and area of legal practice.


Insight | Handbook
Doing Business in the United Arab Emirates 2023
Comprehensive guide to understanding the current investment and legal landscape in the UAE.
Insight | Handbook
MENA M&A Outlook 2023
A report researched and produced by Mergermarket with insights and thoughts of 200 of some of the most active dealmakers across the MENA region.
Insight | Recorded Webinar
MENA Soundbites
Our lawyers provide a roundup of the latest developments in the regional dispute resolution landscape.
Insight | Handbook
Contingent Workforce
Contingent workforce and flexible working continues to be a dominant issue in the current employment landscape.
Insight | Handbook
Post-COVID-19 cross-border remote working
Key tax considerations when reviewing extended remote-work policies aiming to provide flexibility for the benefit of both employees and employers in EMEA.
View All Insight
News | Deal Announcement
Baker McKenzie advises on the sale of Nurai Island Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE
The transaction included the sale of shares of Nurai Island Hotel and two new islands located northeast of the area.
News | Firm News
Baker McKenzie expands real estate practice in Bahrain with the rehire of Khaled Zowayed
Former Baker McKenzie senior lawyer rejoins firm as a real estate partner based in Bahrain
News | Deal Announcement
Baker McKenzie advises Kitopi on the acquisition of AWJ Investments
Kitopi will strengthen its portfolio of regional F&B brands through working with the AWJ Investments team.
News | Firm News
Baker McKenzie UAE Strengthens Tax and Arbitration Practices
Baker McKenzie has strengthened its tax and disputes practices in the UAE, recruiting leading partners in the fast growing areas of VAT and international commercial arbitration.
News | Awards
Baker McKenzie voted by in-house counsel as the Most Responsive Law Firm in Asia and UAE
The Firm has also been recognized in 15 transactional and advisory practice areas across the Asia and Middle East region
News | Firm News
Baker McKenzie named “International Law Firm of the Year for Women in Law” at LexisNexis Middle East Women in Law Awards for the second year in a row
The Firm was recognized by LexisNexis Middle East at their Women in Law Awards in the GCC, which was held in Dubai on 2 March 2023.
News | Deal Announcement
Baker McKenzie advises the Montfort Group on acquisition of Uniper Energy DMCC
Baker McKenzie has successfully advised the Montfort Group in relation to its acquisition of Uniper's crude oil processing and marine fuel trading business based in the United Arab Emirates.
News | Insight
A positive outlook for M&A activity in Egypt despite a slight downturn in 2022: Baker McKenzie Report
Egypt’s M&A outlook witnessed a slowdown during the second half of 2022 (H2 2022) which affected the full year outcomes of 2022 (FY 2022), according to the latest report by Baker McKenzie.
News | Awards
Baker McKenzie awarded “Employment Team of the Year” at The Oath Middle East Legal Awards 2022
Leading international law firm Baker McKenzie has been awarded "Employment Team of the Year" at The Oath Middle East Legal Awards 2022 hosted in Dubai on 24 November 2022. 
News | Awards
Baker McKenzie wins at the IFLR Middle East Awards 2022, including in Egypt
Leading global law Firm Baker McKenzie is among the big winners at the annual Middle East Awards 2022 hosted by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) in Dubai on 12 October 2022. 
News | Firm News
Baker McKenzie Statement Regarding Our UAE Operation
Firm's statement regarding our UAE operation.
View All News

Diversity & Inclusion

We launched our BakerWomen Middle East initiative in 2015 to support the progression of women in the workplace at all stages of their careers. As part of the initiative, we host internal and client meetings to provide a forum for women to share their experiences and challenges.

We remain committed to the UAE Government’s Emiratisation initiative and provide internships and reverse secondments to UAE nationals to undertake trainings with our firm.

In 2022, we were named "International Law Firm of the Year" by LexisNexis in their inaugural Middle East Women in Law Awards.

Additional Insight

Get up-to-date information on the current legal and regulatory matters impacting your business in the UAE region.

6 Minute Read
A New Commercial Agencies Law That Opens the Door for Early Termination or Expiry of Commercial Agencies on Their Terms
Law opens the door for early termination or nonrenewal of commercial agency agreements.
3 Minute Read
Key Highlights of The Corporate Tax Law
Federal decree on Corporate Tax law provides businesses operating in the UAE with a framework for understanding how the corporate tax regime will impact their business model.

Key Contacts