Intellectual property firm United Trademark & Patent Services has hired former Gowling WLG veteran David Aylen as of counsel in its United Arab Emirates office in Dubai.
Aylen, who spent several years at Gowling WLG in Canada before heading up its Russia office for 13 years, told Managing IP it is an exciting time to be in the “future-facing” UAE.
He said: “The UAE, and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, are becoming much more future-facing; there are opportunities in technology, biotech, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.
“Companies are taking opportunities in the Middle East very seriously as the region looks to look at alternatives to a petroleum-based economy.”
Aylen, who first joined Gowling in 1998 in Canada, was head of the firm’s Moscow office between 2009 and 2022. He left the firm in December last year.
The Russia office closed in 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine with the geopolitical system meaning it wasn’t feasible to continue operating.
“I started there [in Moscow] at a time when Russia was becoming more globalised and there were lots of opportunities for Western companies,” Aylen said.
“Having spent over a decade in Russia during a time of immense transformation, I sense a similar momentum in the UAE and the broader GCC today.
“I thought about skills I acquired during that time in advising businesses looking at entering new and emerging markets and thought it would be a good opportunity to use them with UTPS in the UAE.”
He added: “I think we are going to see a lot of change in the next five years here as people and companies spend more time thinking about patenting here.”
Regional strength
Aylen added that he was looking forward to helping clients navigate opportunities in the UAE and beyond by using the firm’s strong regional presence.
He explained: “The firm offers a rare advantage: full in-region coverage without relying on the patchwork of local associates that international firms often must use.
"This makes a big difference for clients. Often this can become a bone of contention if a client is referred to a partner firm. They might not necessarily want to pay just to be introduced to another firm.”
Aylen will work alongside around 40 practitioners across the UAE. The firm also has offices in several Asian countries, the Middle East, and Africa including in Pakistan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.
According to IP STARS, Managing IP’s accreditation title, UTPS is ranked tier 3 for patents in the UAE and is also a ‘notable firm’ for trademark work.
Aylen, added: “The firm has a strong and diverse team. Many of its lawyers have spent time, studying or working abroad which makes for an inclusive business environment with diverse talent.”