Law firm highlights

EVERSHEDS 

» The law firm expanded its Middle East operations with the opening of a second office in Iraq, located in Erbil, Kurdistan Region. The opening of the Erbil office will mark the opening of Eversheds’ seventh office in the Middle East. 

» In October, the law firm hosted a construction and engineering seminar in Dubai and Doha to provide construction and infrastructure community a technical and legal overview of the respective sectors. Chaired by regional chairman Christopher Jobson and managing partner Nasser Ali Khasawneh in Doha and Dubai respectively, the seminar covered topics such as procuring major infrastructure projects in the Middle East, dispute resolution pitfalls and procedures, arbitration, limiting risk and exposure and handling of claims. Speakers included experts from EC Harris, the built assets consultancy, and partners and associates from Eversheds. In Qatar, the speakers also included specialists from Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) and Qatar Lagoon. 

» Eversheds also announced a new Pan-African strategy which will focus on creating five key hub offices and setting up the Eversheds African Law Institute (EALI), an organisation designed to share best practices and promote the highest standards of legal service across Africa. EALI will create a unique entity in the region which will allow member law firms in Africa to access training and knowledge sharing programs while fostering commercial opportunities on a regional and international basis. 

BIN SHABIB & ASSOCIATES 

Regional Middle East law firm Bin Shabib & Associates LLP has been appointed to assist the UAE Insurance Authority in redrafting the UAE insurance laws and to provide support for the implementing and enforcement of the regulations, post enactment. The Bin Shabib Insurance team will include Michael Kortbawi (partner), Rima Mrad (partner) and Irshied Tayeb (regional head of Insurance). The appointment was rewarded over a panel of local and international law firms. 

BOND LAWYERS 

Bond Lawyers, has launched its new age investment and real estate services in the UAE. With considerable changes in the market since 2009, the legal framework has undergone substantial changes which consequently call for different standard of legal services. Eli Hyder, managing partner at Bond Lawyers identified an opportunity in the recovering investment and real estate market – launching Bond Lawyers to fulfill new market demands. The law firm also provides services that include: Dispute Resolution, Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Mergers and Acquisition, Corporate Restructuring, Real Estate as well as Banking and Finance. 

AL TAMIMI & COMPANY 

Al Tamimi & Company has expanded their operations in Iraq with the opening of a new office in Erbil. Located in the northern region of Kurdistan, the office has been established to assist businesses taking advantage of the opportunities in Erbil. In addition to the office opening in Erbil, Al Tamimi has also appointed an associate based in Basra to support the growing Baghdad operations.