WFW launches Dubai real estate practice with partner hire

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has launched a real estate practice in Dubai with the hire of partner Mohammed Kamal. Kamal joins the firm from the Dubai office of Berwin Leighton Paisner where he was a real estate partner and office head having spearheaded the launch of the office in 2012. He previously headed up Hogan Lovells’ Middle East real estate practice. Kamal will be joined by associate Amy Jones who arrives from Al Tamimi & Co on April 15, 2018 to help support the launch of WFW’s real estate practice.

Kamal has fifteen years’ experience in the Middle East advising on real estate transactions including development, infrastructure projects, leasing, corporate joint ventures, funds and financing including Islamic financing.

He is the second partner to join WFW in Dubai in 2018, following the hire of dispute resolution partner Charlotte Bijlani, former head of Baker & McKenzie’s international UAE arbitration practice, who arrived in February to launch the firm’s new contentious capability in the Middle East.

WFW Dubai office head, Andrew Baird commented, “Mohammed is yet another great addition to our team here in Dubai and further concrete evidence of the firm’s commitment to expanding our Middle Eastern offering across key service lines in our core sectors of transport, energy and real estate. He brings to the firm exactly the top flight real estate expertise our clients require. I’m delighted to welcome him to WFW”.