Law Firm Highlights – November 2016
- Hogan Lovells and Fujian Fidelity Law Firm (Fidelity) have entered into a formal association in the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone (Shanghai FTZ). This move reflects the firm’s growth strategy in Asia and the importance of the region to many of the firm’s global clients. Fidelity was established in 1989 and is one of the largest law firms in the Fujian province. The firm has around 170 lawyers and covers a wide range of legal services, but has a particularly strong track record in corporate and M&A, insolvency and liquidation, financial securities, real estate and construction, and arbitration and litigation work. They currently have seven offices, including the one within the Shanghai FTZ. Hogan Lovells partners Andrew McGinty and Zhen (Katie) Feng will be leading the relationship with Fidelity and the promotion of the joint services from the two firms to clients. Hogan Lovells has been actively following recent developments in the Shanghai FTZ and is only the third international law firm to enter into an association in the Shanghai FTZ.
- Clyde & Co has closed its office in Libya, it has emerged. The firm, which became the first international law firm to open in the country when it launched there in August 2012, made the decision to close the office in April amid mounting political instability. A Clydes spokesperson said, “We established a small Tripoli office in August 2012. Sadly, the situation in Libya deteriorated after 2012, which made it difficult for our clients to carry out business there and for our staff to operate safely. As a result, along with nearly all of the international community, we have moved our operations offshore for the time being.” The firm had announced plans to enter Tripoli after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in a bid to target energy and disputes work. At the time, it said the country’s oil reserves meant there were investment opportunities into the country, energy and infrastructure work, as well as litigation in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring political uprisings across the Middle East.
- The law firm Tribonian Law Advisors (TLA) proudly announced that it won the Rising Star Law Firm of the Year award at the 2016 IFLR Middle East Awards which was held at Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai on 19th October 2016. “We are delighted to receive this award and be recognised for our Firm’s hard work. Being nominated for the rising star firm of the year is an honor and winning this award is a further testimony of our team’s strength and gives us even more motivation to become a leading player in the region,” said Rindala Beydoun, managing partner of TLA.
- Fichte Legal Consultants and Middlesex University Dubai have partnered to establish a common platform in order to cultivate law students for their transition from academia to the professional industry. The partnership was sealed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, where both parties committed to a mutually beneficial long-term agreement. “We recognise that the advancement of any industry begins with focused nurturing at a grassroots level. This is why we want to create an effective framework for the academic and professional development of students in law schools. The initiative will bring a range of learning opportunities and training prospects to students in order to better prepare them for their eventual entry into the professional world,” stated Jasamin Fichte, managing partner at Fichte Legal Consultants. Experts from Fichte will partake in a series of guest lectures, workshops and tutorials allowing the students to build on their legal knowledge while simultaneously expanding on their networking opportunities. Fichte legal experts began introductory classes to advocacy in general that started at the end of September. Going forward, students will be offered training seminars and legal consultancy on international maritime law. Students will take part in interactive exercises, which focus on developing their persuasion, negotiation and witness handling techniques. The ultimate goal is to prepare the students to be able to present a trial case in the DIFC Court, benefiting from the workshops given.
- Abdelrahman El Nafie, a senior partner at S&A Law Firm, Dentons associated firm in Oman, has been awarded a PhD in Law from Cairo University. Dr. El Nafie’s thesis examined the legislative polices of Foreign Investment Laws with an emphasis on Oman Law. El Nafie has been practicing law in Oman for 30 years. He heads the Dispute Resolution Group and advises clients on diverse areas of the law including corporate and commercial matters. He is currently working closely with the World Bank Group on advising the Oman Government in the promulgation of a new Foreign Investment Law.
