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Our Accolades in 2008
- emeafinance Middle Eastern Banks Achievement Awards 2008 - Best Local Legal Firm in the UAE, Capital Markets & Corporate actions
- International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Law Firm of the Year – UAE 2008
- International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Equity Deal of the Year 2008 (Depa IPO)
- Euromoney Liquid Real Estate Awards 2008 - first for Legal Services in MENA and the UAE
- International Law Office Client Choice Awards 2008 - UAE Law firm of the Year
- Asian-Counsel Firms of the Year Awards 2008 - UAE Law Firm of the Year 2008 in the areas of Intellectual Property and Antitrust
- The International Legal Alliance Summit and Awards 2008 - Silver award for Outstanding Performance in the UAE
- The PLC Which Lawyer Awards 2008 Law Firm of the Year: Middle East (Runner-up)
- Sharjah Economic Excellence Award in the Professional Sector 2008
- Legal 500 2008 – Listed as Top Tier in the categories of: Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Real Estate & Construction
Legal 500 - 2008
Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 Series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers, in over 100 countries.
Dispute Resolution : Tier 1
As a locally based practice and with a series of prominent partners with rights of audience in the federal and domestic courts, Al Tamimi & Company enjoys an illustrious profile. Hassan Arab is recommended for banking and intellectual property disputes and heads the litigation department that also includes contentious labour and property specialist Jassim Mohammed. Founding partner Essam Al Tamimi is a respected arbitrator and formidable counsel in contentious proceedings.
Intellectual Property: Tier 1
Al Tamimi & Company is one of few large firms in the UAE to have a genuine history in IP. The long-serving Hoda Barakat is managing partner and head of the ten-strong IP department. It has grown its commercial and regulatory work, notably in the pharmaceutical and tobacco sectors and recently handled a major trade mark case on behalf of Japan Tobacco International. Trade mark registration and prosecution work remains the key segment for the practice, but general patent work and patent infringement matters is a growing sector that sets it apart from other firms. Omar Obeidat is also recommended.
Shipping: Tier 2
Al Tamimi & Company has an impressive history of cutting-edge wet and dry shipping work. More specifically the firm is known for its seasoned expertise in relation to oil spills in the Gulf. Of late it has represented the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) in connection with oil spills relating to the sinking of Al Jaziah 1 off the coast of Abu Dhabi and Pontoon 300 off the coast of Sharjah. Yazan Al Saoudi has a leading reputation.
Technology, Media and Telecommunications: Tier 2
Though better regarded for its intellectual property practice, Al Tamimi & Company has absorbed an impressive amount of technology experience in recent years. Through its prestigious IP business it has developed a mighty client portfolio of prominent multinationals. Hoda Barakat is highly recommended.
Chambers Global 2008
The Chambers Guides list the top lawyers in 175 countries, providing independent rankings and editorial commentary.
Corporate Commercial – Tier 2
The Firm: Still the main local firm and the best," it is impossible to operate in the UAE market without coming across this outfit. As the prime domestic firm and one of the largest in the Gulf, it has a superb reputation among local and foreign clients. Acting for the region’s elite, the firm handles a continuous stream of share listings, joint ventures and regulations. Its institutional reputation extends to advising quasi-governmental entities and working on the commercial aspects of new city developments in the UAE. Also worthy of note is the team’s Dubai Financial Market and DIFX work, which captures the best of the local and international market. A source said: “I am always impressed and pleased by the firm’s support and service.” Clients agree that “it competes with all the internationals and is a standout local firm."
The Lawyers: The firm’s esteemed founder, Essam Al Tamimi is a hugely influential lawyer who is active in transactions and disputes. Peers rate him as "a true rainmaker who really brings in the work.” Clients rate Husam Hourani as "clever, quick and a pleasure to work with.” He has put his capital markets expertise to good use at the DIFX and the Dubai Financial Market."
Dispute Resolution: Tier 1
The Firm: Dispute resolution of all flavours and varieties forms a strong backbone that runs right through this firm. From its founder downwards, the team has many prized litigation specialists. Whether handling international arbitration or local litigation, the firm will have the appropriate lawyer. Recent cases include rent disputes, white-collar criminal cases, shipping and agency cases. The firm also maintains a market-leading position in IP disputes, which give it access to a multitude of local and foreign clients. Even though the range of dispute resolution mechanisms in the UAE is changing, Al Tamimi is on the ball and remains “the main local firm, and one of the best."
The Lawyers: Essam Al Tamimi is the firm’s founder and senior partner, and a true authority for any question on litigation and arbitration. Sources say: “He does everything - and does it all exceptionally well.” Hassan Arab heads the litigation department, and he has done much to build up its profile. Yazan Al Saoudi heads the maritime department, and his five-lawyer team is credited for its “international calibre.”
Intellectual Property: Tier 1
The Firm: The first firm to look at this practice area seriously, and the first major player,” this outfit has kept IP at its core. The team has reached a wider audience as the firm has developed regionally. Following the market’s origins from anti-counterfeiting, the group now counsels clients on a full range of issues, including trade mark and patent administration, rights transfers, portfolio maintenance and dispute resolution. With the full back-up of the firm’s corporate and litigation teams, the IP group is able to take on matters of any complexity. A recent courtroom highlight was a trade mark case concerning suspected counterfeit cigarettes seized in transit. The case reached the Dubai Court of Cassation, which found in favour of the firm’s client. With commentators describing this outfit as “by far and away the local leader for IP,” it presents a high standard for others to match.
The Lawyers: Widely fêted as “the clear market leader in this field,” Hoda Barakat has headed the IP team for the past 12 years, and is also the firm’s managing partner. Commentators describe her as “an absolutely excellent and efficient lawyer who really knows her stuff."
Clients/Work Highlights: Clients include Nokia, Ford, BMW and Japan Tobacco International.
Real Estate & Construction: Tier 1
The Firm: This prime indigenous firm fields significant resources in both construction and real estate. From property transactions to infrastructure disputes, the firm’s top lawyers have made a “deep and positive impression” on all commentators. The eight-lawyer property team includes internationally qualified lawyers and has worked on many of the properties that make up Dubai’s spectacular skyline. For the large regional developers, the group is active on resort and mixed-use projects throughout the Gulf. The firm is also increasingly prominent in the construction sphere. Recruiting a new head of department, the construction and engineering team has proved “excellent in construction litigation.” Peers concur that the firm is “a force to be reckoned with” and “a dominant player in the sector,” whilst clients laud the lawyers for their “superb sense of perspective."
The Lawyers: A “fundamental figure in Dubai real estate law,” Lisa Dale has led the property team since its inception in 2003. Sources rate her as “a star who is respected across the board.” Edward Sunna arrived in 2007 to head the construction and engineering team. Starting with a team of two, he has already won work relating to Dubai’s transport systems.
Inclusion of Al Tamimi & Company lawyers in Who's Who Legal 2008
- Yazan Al Saoudi- Shipping & Maritime and Aviation
- Essam Al Tamimi- Commercial Litigation and Arbitration
- Hassan Arab- Commercial Litigation
- Hoda Barakat- Intellectual Property
- Lynette Brown- Banking
- Lisa Dale- Real Estate
- Husam Hourani- Capital Markets and Banking
- Mohammed Kamal- Real Estate
- Omar Obeidat- Intellectual Property
- Philip Punwar- Arbitration
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