MIDDLE EAST: “Firms in the region are relatively behind in terms of using technology”

BY Nimitt Dixit |

Mohamed Gabr is group general counsel at Egyptian financial company EFG Holding. In this interview, he talks about his decision to shift from private practice to in-house, the sophistication and growth of the in-house role in the Middle East and the qualities he looks for in external counsel. 

COUNTRY REPORT (Middle East): Pivot to Asia

BY Nimitt Dixit |

The Middle East’s economic ties with emerging Asian economies is on the rise as M&A and sovereign investments between the regions drive growth. However, Asian law firms and lawyers are struggling to compete in an overcrowded legal market. 

Thailand’s Silk Legal launches Dubai office with focus on emerging tech

BY Mari Iwata |

Bangkok-headquartered law firm Silk Legal has established an office in Dubai, the UAE, that aims to focus on new technologies like fintech, Web3, and artificial intelligence.

BRIEFS: Shipping Lawyers Try To Guide Clients Through Red Sea Crisis

BY Sarah Wong |

The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have put international shipping companies on tenterhooks as tit-for-tat missile strikes have turned the Red Sea into a high-risk zone for transit, clog-ging global trade and snarling supply chains.

As Red Sea goes to red alert, shipping lawyers try to guide clients through the storm

BY Sarah Wong |

The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have put international shipping companies on tenterhooks as tit-for-tat missile strikes have turned the Red Sea into a high-risk zone for transit, clogging global trade and snarling supply chains.

CAM, AZB, Cleary guide Qatar fund investment in Reliance Retail

BY Nimitt Dixit |

Law firms Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and AZB & Partners have advised on the Indian aspects of Qatar Investment Authority’s $1 billion investment in Reliance Retail Ventures, the retail arm of Reliance Industries.

Middle East partner hire roundup: International firms bolster ranks

BY Nimitt Dixit |

International law firms have continued to invest in their growth in the Middle East, with the likes of Addleshaw Goddard, Charles Russell Speechlys, Clyde & Co, Baker Mckenzie, Baker Botts and Taylor Wessing adding partners across the Middle East recently.

Inaugural ALB Middle East Law Awards a grand success

BY Aparna Sai |

The ALB Awards made its foray into the Middle East region with the inaugural event celebrating the outstanding achievements of individuals, law firms, in-house legal teams and dealmakers.

NRF EMEA offers staff shorter week, salary cut in response to COVID

BY Aparna Sai |

The Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) offices of Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) are offering lawyers the chance to reduce their working week by 20 percent in return for an up to 20 percent cut in base pay.

Singapore’s WongP launches regional law network

BY Raj Gunashekar |

Singapore Big Four law firm WongPartnership has marked its 25th anniversary by officially launching a regional law network that comprises of its alliance firms in the UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Phillippines.

Bakers, CC lead on sale of ABN Amro’s Asian, ME private banking business

BY Raj Gunashekar, Reuters |

Baker & McKenzie has advised private banking and asset management group LGT in its acquisition of ABN Amro’s private banking operations in Asia and the Middle East. Clifford Chance advised the seller.

KWM Europe exit looming as turmoil continues: reports

BY Raj Gunashekar |

The Europe and Middle East offices of King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) may have to split from the firm after partners in those offices rejected a proposed recapitalisation programme, according to media reports.