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Dubai, the crown jewel of the United Arab Emirates, is a busy city for business, finance, and revolution. Naturally, legal expertise plays a crucial role in the dynamic of Dubai. With a growing international profile and complex legal requirements, Dubai attracts some of the world’s most prestigious law firms. But where do these legal powerhouses choose to plant their flags? Let’s dig into the strategic locations of the top 8 best law firms in Dubai and explore the factors driving their choices.
A central location on Sheikh Zayed Road enables Clifford Chance to be in close proximity to some of Dubai’s most important business and government districts. This strategic choice reflects their focus on real estate, construction, and infrastructure projects, often concentrated in these areas.
White & Case -> Americas, EMEA & Asia-Pacific
A very prominent company and legal services provider is located near White & Case’s office in Business Bay, and that gives the firm the opportunity to take full advantage of its location. As a consequence of this strategic decision, they are able to facilitate collaboration and foster an environment conducive to focusing on mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and arbitration in a professional environment.
Linklaters -> UAE and London, United Kingdom
Choosing the DIFC for their Dubai base, Linklaters benefits from the center’s regulatory framework and tax advantages. They strive to align these objectives with their focus on international transactions, capital markets, as well as project finance, where such benefits are of the utmost importance.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer -> UAE and London, United Kingdom
Strategically located in Downtown Dubai, Freshfields capitalizes on the area’s vibrant business environment. This location reflects their focus on corporate, competition, and intellectual property law, where proximity to key players offers an edge.
Ashurst -> UAE and London, United Kingdom
The firm is situated in the DIFC. Ashurst enjoys the center’s reputation as a hub for investment and M&A activity. A significant part of their expertise is in the energy, resources, and infrastructure sectors, where investors and financial institutions have a key role to play.
Baker McKenzie -> UAE, Chicago, Illinois, United States
The firm chose to locate a global law firm in Downtown Dubai in order to take advantage of the accessibility and prestige of the area. This central location reflects their diverse practice areas, from banking and capital markets to employment and intellectual property, where a central location is beneficial.
Norton Rose Fulbright -> Europe, USA, Latin America, Asia Pacific & Middle East
Choosing the DIFC for its headquarters, Norton Rose Fulbright capitalizes on the center’s focus on international business and finance. They offer expertise in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and transportation, all of which are areas where the DIFC’s global connections can be leveraged.
Habib Al Mulla -> 14th Floor, O14 Tower – Al Abraj Street, – Business Bay
The decision to choose Downtown Dubai for Habib Al Mulla was due to the area’s historical significance and established legal community in the area. The location reflects their expertise in corporate, commercial, and real estate law, where proximity to key stakeholders is valuable.
Conclusion
The headquarters of Dubai’s top law firms reflect a well-calculated interplay of accessibility, reputation, practice area focus, and international outlook. As Dubai continues to evolve as a global legal hub, observing the location choices of leading firms offers valuable insights into their strategic thinking and market aspirations. With the legal landscape constantly changing, it will be fascinating to see how these trends evolve in the years to come.
