Law firm highlights – August 2019
- Berkeley Assets has signed a contract with DLA Piper which places the global business law firm in charge of the company’s legal matters as it expands into new markets. The new agreement builds on an already healthy working relationship between Berkeley and DLA Piper which has offices in all jurisdictions where the company currently operates. Berkeley Assets recently announced its global expansion plans, adding a range of new offices to the existing locations in London and Dubai. Offices in Marbella and Mexico City opened in Q2 while outposts in Africa and the Far East are set to follow throughout 2019 and Berkeley Assets raised USD112.8 million in total in 2018, with USD16.2 million generated from the retail market and the remainder from institutional investors, far exceeding its capital raising targets. The company’s portfolio of properties spans multiple sectors and includes existing and new to market assets in some of the world’s most sought after locations, including London, New York, and Miami.The private equity firm operates more than 150 businesses, helping property developments, hospitality concepts and emerging businesses thrive. All underlying assets of the business are located in the UK and USA.
- Eversheds Sutherland has opened a San Diego office with the addition of three leading Intellectual Property (IP) litigators: Nicola Pisano, Joe Patino and Christopher Bolten, who will join the Firm as partners in the next few weeks. The group brings highly sophisticated and established multinational practices focused on IP patent litigation, patent prosecution and IP due diligence. “We are thrilled to welcome Nick, Joe and Chris to our team,” said Mark D. Wasserman, co-CEO of Eversheds Sutherland. “Intellectual property protection and defense is an ever-growing concern for our clients around the globe. With the addition of this strong group, we are uniquely positioned to meet the changing needs of our clients with an agile, full-service suite of IP offerings throughout the world.” Eversheds Sutherland is one of a very small number of global commercial law firms that can boast a worldwide IP reach, and the addition of this IP patent litigation and prosecution team further separates the Firm from most, if not all, global law firms that traditionally have larger trademark than patent service offerings. The Eversheds Sutherland San Diego office will be located at Paseo del Mar at 12255 El Camino Real, a nearly 13,000 square foot space that can accommodate the Firm’s anticipated growth, which is expected both in San Diego and in California generally.
- Hadef & Partners has announced the sponsorship by the firm of The Committee for Sweden’s participation in the Dubai World Expo 2020 which is a Government delegated Committee of Inquiry appointed by Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The sponsorship arrangement enables Hadef & Partners to provide support in the UAE to the Swedish Participation Committee in all UAE law aspects of Sweden’s preparation for, and participation in, the Dubai World Expo 2020. The Engineering & Construction department of Hadef & Partners has already advised international clients on a number of construction contracts entered into for Expo 2020. Many of the 190 participating countries will be constructing pavilions to reflect their own culture, diversity and innovations. Sweden’s state-of-the-art pavilion will be constructed to blend Nordic forest themes with Islamic geometric shapes, showcasing a unity between western and eastern culture. The Swedish pavilion will be located in the “Sustainability” Thematic District and will promote the country’s pioneering spirit and knowledge-driven society. The Hadef & Partners’ Dubai Expo 2020 team is led by Sadiq Jafar, managing partner, Dubai, and Victoria Woods, partner and head of the Commercial Practice Group. Commenting on the relationship with the Swedish Participation Committee, Sadiq Jafar, said, “We are extremely proud of our history, heritage and reputation as a dedicated UAE law firm, and when we were requested to advise and assist in Dubai World Expo 2020 at such a fundamental level, we did not hesitate. Dubai World Expo 2020 will be the largest event in our region and provides a unique opportunity for the creation of exciting collaboration between different countries and cultures. We are delighted to work with the Swedish Participation Committee, and to provide the support of our team to ensure a successful and memorable Expo 2020.” Anders Lönnberg, commissioner general of Sweden commented: “I am so happy to work with Hadef & Partners with their outstanding knowledge and reputation. I feel confident that our collaboration will benefit both the UAE and Sweden.”
Karm Legal Consultants (Karm), a UAE-based legal consultancy firm focusing on corporate, commercial and technology law, has joined hands with Lex Group in Malta to provide legal expertise for tech enterprises in the UAE and Malta. This will be supported by Fintech Solution Ltd, the fintech arm of KSi Malta, Lex Group’s DLT and Fintech Partner. Lex Group, one of the leading consultancy firms in Malta, will act as Karm’s affiliate in the country. Together, the two entities will exchange their extensive repository of legal expertise and knowledge to support their clients, especially in next generation and frontier technologies. Karm partnered with Lex Group to deliver on the progressive vision of the UAE leadership to invest and build next generation tech competencies with the country already among the early adopters of advanced technology and digital solutions. At a press conference held in Malta, Kokila Alagh, the founder of Karm Legal, signed the collaboration agreement with Dr. Andy Ellul, head of Lex Group. This was followed by a session with Maltese media, during which Alagh shared insights on Karm and the collaborative work it plans to undertake with Lex Group. “UAE and Malta are investing heavily in next generation technology and building an advanced infrastructure that draws on digital technology. With the advances achieved by the UAE in the tech field, there is considerable demand for legal consultancy in the domain – especially in new generation sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, blockchain and AI – which calls for specialized skills. We are honoured to contribute to the nation’s advanced tech field, and with the expert skills of Lex Group and the strengths of Karm Legal, together, we are confident of providing our clients with cutting edge counsel in all areas – particularly in tech-related issues,” said Alagh. “We see strong synergies for us in working with Lex Group to add significant value to our clients, especially with the progress achieved by the UAE in promoting digital technologies and investing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she added. “Malta has highlighted its vision to be a hub for blockchain technology and with its strategic location in the EU, it can help support startups to scale up their business globally. Through our association, we aim to support UAE-based entities in the blockchain space with cutting edge insights gained from Malta’s experience,” said Alagh. With the UAE leading the region in digital technology adoption and in promoting tech entrepreneurship, the partnership of Karm and Lex Group will deliver innovative and frontier tech companies with holistic and tailor-made legal counsel.
