Freshfields to Open in Abu Dhabi
U.K. law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will open in Abu Dhabi now that its application has been fast-tracked.
The law firm already has offices in Dubai and Bahrain, Legal Week reports. Freshfields is interested in Dubai because of its political stability and rapidly diversifying economy, said Freshfields joint senior partner Guy Morton.
Partner Charles July will oversee the Abu Dhabi office. It will focus on areas such as corporate, dispute resolution, energy-related projects, financial products, infrastructure development and real estate, according to a press release.
The Persian Gulf is attracting increasing numbers of law firms that want to help oil-rich residents spend their money, the ABA Journal reported in its February issue. Latham & Watkins plans to open an office in Abu Dhabi this year, and White & Case and Vinson & Elkins have already done so.
Updated at 2:13 p.m. to clarify the status of law firms’ Abu Dhabi offices.
