Alain Farhad joins Mayer Brown as head of dispute resolution in Dubai

Mayer Brown has expanded its international arbitration capabilities in the Middle East with the addition of Alain Farhad, who joins the firm as a partner in the Dubai office, where he will head the dispute resolution practice in the United Arab Emirates.

Farhad is an experienced arbitration lawyer who acts as counsel and arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings involving complex commercial contracts, construction projects and investment protection treaties. He is highly regarded for his arbitration work across the Middle East and represents clients from a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, infrastructure and real estate. Alain has also acted for a number of state-owned entities and governments. His extensive dispute resolution experience includes arbitration proceedings under ICC, ICSID, DIAC, lCIA, CRCICA and UNCITRAL rules in many different jurisdictions.

Farhad is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UAE Arbitration Commission Steering Committee and the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. He joins Mayer Brown from Squire Patton Boggs, where he was a partner in the international dispute resolution group in Dubai.

Tahan (Tom) Thraya, leader of Mayer Brown’s Middle East corporate and commercial team and the partner-in-charge of the Dubai office, said, “We are delighted to welcome a lawyer of Alain’s calibre to the team. His considerable experience in complex arbitral proceedings and leadership skills will be an asset to our Dubai practice at a time when we are seeing a growing demand for commercial arbitration from clients.”

Raid Abu-Manneh, global co-head of the International Arbitration group at Mayer Brown, said, “Alain is an impressive lawyer whose arrival reinforces our commitment to provide clients with top quality advice on their most complex disputes. Alain adds depth to our Dubai practice and further strengthens the global footprint of our international arbitration capabilities.”