Law firm highlights – June 2021

• HFW has been appointed to the DIFC Courts Users’ Committee – an independent liaison body between the Courts and users that is tasked with building the profile of the Courts and helping ensure that the service provided is cost-effective, professional and fit-for-purpose. HFW is one of just three international law firms on the Committee, having been voted in by the other Committee members and the Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts. The Committee also consists of members from the Courts, the DIFC Authority, the DFSA and local law firms. Commercial disputes partner Nick Braganza will represent the firm on the Committee. He said, “We are immensely proud at HFW to have been appointed to this important role and we look forward to working with the other committee members to help further the development of what is already an outstanding venue for commercial dispute resolution in the Middle East.”
• Clyde & Co has announced that, in recognition of the exceptional efforts of all of its people over the past 12 months and their contribution to the firm’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be paying a universal three per cent bonus to all its employees [approximately 3600 people] globally, with a minimum payment of GBP1,000 meaning that a number will receive a higher percentage award. The bonus will be paid in the next available pay round and is one off and separate to the chargeable hours and discretionary bonus schemes already in place. Matthew Kelsall, Clyde & Co’s chief executive officer, said, “The response of our people to the pandemic and all of the personal and professional pressures that came with it was extraordinary. Thanks to everyone’s efforts and their dedication to serving our clients, who themselves needed support in these unprecedented times, we have continued to perform strongly. We’re pleased to be able to recognise everyone’s contribution and say thank you through this bonus.”
• White & Case LLP has established a new association in Muscat, the capital of Oman, effective May 30, 2021. The new association has been established with Mohammed Al Bahr Advocates & Legal Consultants, which is led by Mohammed Al Bahr who joined White & Case in 2018. White & Case partner Charbel Abou Charaf will be seconded to Mohammed Al Bahr Advocates & Legal Consultants and will also be based in Muscat. Al Bahr is an Omani-qualified lawyer with more than 15 years of experience who was previously a senior legal adviser at the Ministry of Legal Affairs of the Government of Oman. Abou Charaf is a mergers and acquisitions lawyer who joined White & Case is 2011 and was promoted to partner at the start of 2020. “White & Case is the leading international firm in the Middle East and we have been highly active on transactions and disputes work in Oman for a number of years,” said White & Case partner Doug Peel, Head of the Middle East. “Our new association in Muscat will ensure that we support our clients even more effectively, while continuing to take advantage of the strength of our existing practice in the region and of the Firm more broadly.” Al Bahr said, “Arbitration and construction matters have been a key focus for White & Case in Oman, where we have strong and enduring relationships with a number of Omani government entities, and this will continue. We also see opportunities to expand our role advising clients on transactions in a number of other practice areas including banking, capital markets, corporate/M&A and project development and finance.”