Employment
Global Guide 2024 : United Arab Emirates
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+971 4 407 3900Chambers Review
Stephenson Harwood has a substantial team of employment lawyers in Dubai. The department is best known for advising employers on non-contentious contractual mandates such as those arising from market entry or corporate restructuring. In addition, it offers extensive knowledge regarding implementation of the UAE's recent labour law and the employment implications of the DIFC's data protection laws. The team is also capable of assisting with employment issues arising from M&A and is noted for its in-house Arabic-language capabilities.
Work Highlights
- Stephenson Harwood advised the London-based independent insurance broker Ardonagh Specialty on the UAE employment aspects of its acquisition of the Oxford Insurance Group (which included the acquisition of Oxford's Dubai-based subsidiary, Antarah).
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team are very commercially aware and are able to address the complexities of an internationally diverse workforce subject to the local employment laws, which at times vary from the laws of their home countries."
"Service levels are excellent."
"The team are very commercially aware and are able to address the complexities of an internationally diverse workforce subject to the local employment laws, which at times vary from the laws of their home countries."
"Service levels are excellent."
Notable Practitioners
Kiersten Lucas maintains a wide-ranging employment practice but is especially noteworthy for her in-depth knowledge in the area of restrictive covenants. She also has considerable experience advising on M&A-related employment issues and employee transfers. She has additionally assisted numerous clients with implementation of the new UAE labour law.
"Kiersten is a superb employment lawyer with excellent commercial awareness and a strong dedication to client care. She works relentlessly on her client engagements and gets the best outcomes possible."
"Kiersten tailors her advice according to the specific industry she is advising in, while always making her clients feel comfortable and at ease. The service is seamless, which provides confidence when executing stressful legal matters."
Emily Aryeetey joins the up-and-coming rankings following her promotion to partner in 2023. She has particular experience advising on employment issues resulting from M&A transactions, such as the transfer of employees. She is equally well placed to advise on terminations.
"Emily is extremely knowledgeable and approachable. I highly recommend her to any client seeking an employment lawyer within this region."
"She is very diligent, very helpful, prepares all tasks well and covers them from A to Z."