DWF is launching in Dubai, the firm’s first office outside of the UK and Ireland.
The office, which will initially house four lawyers, will be led by DWF non-marine insurance partner Chris Ryan. The firm has also recruited construction partner Steven Hunt, formerly of Al Tamimi & Co, from Holland & Knight.
The lawyers in Dubai will be supported by a UK-based team, including partner and head of international, Peter Campion and head of adjusting, Keith Honeyman, both of whom have for several years serviced an extensive amount of MENA region work.
DWF said it was making the move to support its clients across the construction, energy, insurance and transport sectors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The Dubai outpost will advise on contentious and non-contentious construction matters, professional indemnity and non-marine insurance work.
DWF managing partner and CEO Andrew Leaitherland said there was “a real opportunity” for the firm 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,” added Leaitherland. “[We] look forward to consolidating our commitment to this hugely important region.”
Under Leaitherland, DWF has significantly expanded over the past few years, from two offices in the North West with a total revenue of £34m in 2006 to a UK-wide firm with a turnover of £189m.
Last December DWF re-elected Leaitherland in an uncontested election as the firm’s managing partner and CEO for a fourth term (2 December 2014).
Leaitherland has overseen DWF’s four mergers, with Biggart Baillie in June 2013 (7 June 2013), Fishburns in January 2013 (18 January 2013), and Buller Jeffries in April 2012 (2 April 2012). The firm also acquired Cobbetts in a pre-pack administration in February 2013 (20 November 2013).
He also presided over the firm’s move into London’s Walkie Talkie building at 20 Fenchurch Street last year (13 January 2014).
A year ago DWF’s head of London corporate Jay Birch told The Lawyer that it would be a mistake for the firm to rely entirely on the UK market (21 March 2014). Today’s news is the first tangible step in DWF’s strategic shift away from purely relying on domestic work.
DWF said the new Dubai office was being launched in direct response to demand from major developers, contractors, and insurer clients for legal advice on the ground to support the construction boom in large infrastructure, housing, tourism, and air and port facilities across the Middle East.
DWF is initially taking 1,000 sq ft of office space in the Dubai International Finance Centre. The firm said it planned to build a range of complementary service lines over a three-year period to support both new and existing clients.
The post DWF tears up UK-only strategy with Dubai office launch appeared first on The Lawyer | Legal News and Jobs | Advancing the business of law.