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Trowers first to fall prey to Middle East downturn

Quality of lawyer not quantity required across the UAE... As a recruiter in the region and working for one of the major players on the ground here, I have to say times have suddenly become tough and in a very short space of time. However, what people are losing sight of is the mass over recruitment that has occurred in the past 12 months, based upon the growth that was anticipated to continue across the UAE. With a slowdown, and it's happened very quickly here, there has to be some adjustment in numbers and more firms and in-house teams will be reviewing their numbers over the coming months. Furthermore, the region is littered with average lawyers who have done little to enhance the reputation of the profession out here. When you look across the legal market, a shake up and improvement in the quality of lawyer, at the senior end in particular, is badly needed. A number already here are overpaid and not demonstrating true commercial value to their client(s). In an emerging market where many clients are still learning the value of good quality legal advice, this has now hampered the growth of the profession. There is still opportunity in the region but in order to realise it, more lawyers with strong business acumen and wider technical ability are needed. Quality, not quantity is the approach required.

24-Feb-2009

5:44 am