Denton Wilde Sapte is opening a second Dubai office and will become the first law firm to take space in the Dubai Internet City (DIC) in the process.
The office will be overseen by corporate and commercial partner Jayshree Gupta, who has been based in the firm’s existing Dubai office for the past eight years. Kate O’Leary is relocating from the London technology, media and telecoms department along with two other London fee-earners who have been seconded to the office. Corporate partner Jonathan Dawe will also support Gupta, splitting his time between the two offices.
The DIC, which is around a 20-minute drive from the
central business district, was launched by the Dubai government in October 1999 to promote Dubai as a centre for knowledge management. It is now home to most of the big global tech companies, including Microsoft, Oracle and IBM, among others.
Although it may seem unusual to have a second office in such a small region, the proximity to a number of key tech clients is a key motivator. The reason for such high concentration is because the DIC is one of Dubai’s ‘free trade zones’, which allow 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies.
“Working within a unique and dynamic business environment with our clients made good business sense,” said Neil Cuthbert, managing partner of the current Dubai office.
The firm has also added a partner and two new assistants to the Dubai practice.
In June 2002 Clyde & Co launched its second Dubai office in Dubai Media City, which is another free trade zone.
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