Quinn Emanuel strengthens UAE disputes practice with Kadry Zaghawa

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP announced that Kadry Zaghawa has joined the firm as of counsel in its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices. Zaghawa brings more than three decades of experience representing clients across the Middle East and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent and strategic Arabic drafters in the United Arab Emirates, sought out for the most sensitive and technically demanding filings.

Zaghawa combines the rigor of a civil-law advocate with the practical, cross-border perspective demanded by the UAE’s international disputes market. He acts for high-profile GCC corporates and international clients in shareholder disputes, commercial agency deregistration and commercial litigation before all levels of the UAE courts, and in administrative law disputes before the UAE Federal Courts. Zaghawa also advises clients on resolving disputes through arbitration and other litigation alternatives.

Beyond general commercial litigation, Zaghawa has helped navigate some of the largest restructuring matters in the region, offering critical guidance in complex financial restructurings and distressed debtor proceedings before the UAE courts. He is also regularly called upon to provide expert opinions on UAE law in proceedings before foreign courts, including matters before courts in the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea and Singapore.

“Quinn Emanuel has represented clients in the Middle East for more than 30 years,” said Richard East, co-managing partner of the firm’s London office. “Building our local team brings us closer to our clients in the region and to the local courts that matter to them most. Among the leading Arabic drafters in the UAE, Kadry is sought out for onshore UAE court matters. He broadens the services we offer to corporates, private equity investors, and high net worth individuals with disputes in the region.

“Kadry will be an asset to our existing team in UAE and will support regional work as well,” East added. “We are all excited to welcome him to Quinn Emanuel.”

In 2026, The Legal 500 EMEA recognised the Quinn Emanuel team as “one of the strongest litigation teams in the UAE.” Clients praised its “outstanding written advocacy skills and attention to detail.” At its 2026 Middle East Awards, Chambers and Partners also recognised the Dubai office as UAE Dispute Resolution International Law Firm of the Year.

Zaghawa joins Quinn Emanuel from the dispute resolution team at Hadef & Partners, where he was a partner.