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Baker McKenzie wins at Legal Week Middle East Awards During These Unprecedented Times
Overview
In an increasingly competitive market, we remain ahead of the curve as the first and only international law firm to fully merge with a leading UAE firm. We have worked on some of the most significant matters and legislation in the country, including the successful defence of Dubai Islamic Bank in a highly complex USD 2 billion dispute, and the drafting and review of the new maritime law, the first in over 30 years, for the UAE Federal Transport Authority. We have also advised on one of the first competition filings under the new UAE Competition Law as well as on complex cross-border investigations in the UAE.
With over 30 years of experience in the Gulf region and a steadfast commitment to the UAE, we are the firm of choice for local companies, leading multinationals and financial institutions because of our unmatched legal and commercial knowledge of the local market. Our Chairman, Dr. Habib Al Mulla, drafted many of Dubai's modern legislative structures and created the concept of financial free zones in the UAE, becoming the architect of the legal framework that established the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Named Middle East "Telecoms, Media & Technology M&A Legal Adviser of the Year" at the Mergermarket Middle East M&A Awards and "Litigation Law Firm of the Year" by Legal Week and the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2017, our multidisciplinary team of more than 60 lawyers has particular experience in the education, food and beverage, healthcare, hospitality and hotels, maritime, retail/luxury brands, real estate and construction sectors. Our long-standing relationships with the government, ministries and family-owned companies, along with our fluency in Arabic and English enable us to leverage our global network to help clients achieve their local and cross-border objectives.
Offices
Abu Dhabi
Level 8, Al Sila TowerAbu Dhabi Global Market Square
Al Maryah Island, P.O. Box 44980
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Level 14, O14 TowerAl Abraj Street
Business Bay, P.O. Box 2268
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
As the only global law firm to merge with a major local firm, Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla leverages its local knowledge and global resources to help domestic and international clients meet the increasingly sophisticated requirements of doing business in the UAE. Based on our experience drafting major UAE legislation and advising clients on their practical application, we provide a unique platform for doing business in the Gulf region.
Ranked Tier 1 by Legal 500, our Dispute Resolution practice is the only firm in the UAE with full rights of audience before the local UAE and Dubai International Financial Centre courts, representing clients in some of the most high-profile commercial disputes in the region.
Our Banking & Finance team advises on Islamic finance, capital markets and DIFC law and insolvency. One of the only firms that offers legal advice in both Arabic and English, we draw on the expertise of our market-leading Banking & Finance team in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to provide regional guidance.
Our UAE Mergers & Acquisitions lawyers advise clients on domestic and cross-border joint ventures, acquisitions, privatizations, divestitures, financings, mergers, spinoffs, strategic alliances and reorganizations. Our ability to collaborate across offices and work in both English and Arabic results in smoother negotiations and a better understanding of local laws for global clients.
As the Gulf region continues to attract investment, we have particular expertise advising clients on legal issues in the defense, education, financial services, healthcare, hotels and tourism sectors. We've worked on ground-breaking Real Estate developments and created novel and innovative structures.
Our Maritime, Transport & Trade lawyers have established legal precedents and best practices in the shipping industry, advising clients on disaster recovery, claim management, marine casualties, as well as shipping litigation and arbitration. Our Commercial law team advise on commercial and civil matters under UAE law, including compliance and the enforceability of agreements in the UAE.
We also provide both local and global advice in the following areas:
Brochures
- Arbitration
- Banking & Finance
- Capital Markets
- Defence
- Dispute Resolution
- Education
- Employment
- Finance Restructuring & Insolvency - Our Gulf Practice
- Hotels, Resorts & Tourism
- Luxury, Fashion and Retail
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- MENA Brochure
- Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
- Real Estate & Construction
- Regulatory
- Restructuring
- Shipping & Maritime
Doing Business Guides
As one of few firms authorized to provide formal legal training to all lawyers in the UAE, Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla 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.
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.
Pro Bono & Community Service
We promote and lobby to advance the fundamental rights and opportunities for persons in need together with our Baker McKenzie offices globally. We contributed to the comparative memorandum addressing the refugee crisis and resettlement mechanisms in different jurisdictions, particularly on the repatriation of Afghani refugees in Iran.
Key Contacts
-
Executive Chairman
Dr. Habib Al Mulla
Partner- Dubai
+ 971 4 423 0001 Email