SJ Berwin has confirmed that it aims to open later this year in Dubai, the firm’s first office in the Middle East.
SJ Berwin has confirmed that it aims to open later this year in Dubai, the firm’s first office in the Middle East.
Initially two partners will relocate: private equity funds partner Benjamin Aller from Paris and international arbitration partner Tim Taylor from London.
The firm says the move reflects its strong commitment to serving its clients in the Middle East and surrounding countries of Africa and South Asia. The announcement follows the opening of SJ Berwin’s Hong Kong office on 1 April – the firm’s tenth office and its first outside Europe.
The Dubai office will focus initially on investment funds, private equity and complex dispute resolution.
Senior partner Jonathan Blake says: ‘This is a very exciting time for SJ Berwin. Following hot on the heels of the opening of our Hong Kong office, we plan to extend our reach into the Middle East and surrounding countries. We are very interested in serving the needs of clients in emerging markets and Dubai is an especially attractive location from which to provide these services. This further expansion is an expression of our overall strategy, which is to be leaders internationally in our core practice areas.’
Opening an office in Dubai is subject to obtaining local regulatory approvals, including approval of the Dubai Ruler’s Court.
