The call from Freshfields asking me to join the newly opened Dubai office couldn't have come at a better time. I was ready for a new challenge. It was an easy decision - their global reputation preceded them, plus the chance to be part of a completely new venture and the opportunity to help build the brand in the UAE was just the sort of thing I was after.
It might have been a new office but we pretty quickly moved from temporary premises to a fully functional operation with all the systems and support we needed. That was really important because our team started working with high profile clients right from the outset. It's rather nice to have a client base that ranges from wealthy locals to international corporations, government organisations and even royalty. At the moment I'm working with Emaar properties, the largest real estate company in the region - exactly the sort of client I'd hoped to be involved with.
The culture in our offices is ideally suited to the type of clients we work with in the Middle East. We work hard to blend our international experience with the customs, laws and local environment. This is how we build relationships with clients and achieve ongoing success in the region.
Practice area:
Corporate
Education:
LLM (commercial law), Aberdeen University (UK)
Law degree, University of Jordan (Amman, Jordan)