Lovells launches Dubai real estate practice

Lovells has launched a Middle East real estate practice with the recruitment of a former Al Tamimi partner.

Mohammed Kamal has joined the firm as of counsel and will lead a team of three lawyers.

Kamal said: “Lovells is serious about real estate and has a clear direction that it wants to follow in the Middle East. [This involves] facilitating Middle East investment into Europe and the US and developing the Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi practices.”

Abu Dhabi in particular is a key jurisdiction for Kamal, whose previous work includes advising the Abu Dhabi Government’s Department of Municipal Affairs on creating a land registry system. Other local clients include Mubadala, Sorouh Real Estate and Al Qudra Real Estate.

Lovells opened its Dubai office in 2007, initially focusing on corporate, banking and finance work (5 February 2007).

The Lawyer revealed in February of this year that office managing partner and project finance specialist Shibeer Ahmed is to leave the firm at the end of this month (5 February ). Corporate partner Nick Parden and Islamic finance partner Rahail Ali will take over as co-managing partners.

Kamal worked at Al Tamimi from 2004 to 2009. Prior to that he had his own practice in the UK and was also at Addleshaw Goddard.