Offshore
Global Guide 2024 : United Arab Emirates
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+971 4 363 7999About
Provided by Walkers (Cayman) LLP
Walkers’ Dubai office was opened in 2005 and is led by Managing Partner, Daniel Wood.
Our Dubai office provides our clients throughout the region with British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Cayman Islands legal advice in their own time zones. We provide first-class, commercially-focused advice that is attuned to our clients’ requirements and facilitates their business.
Our clients include global corporations, financial institutions, capital markets participants, investment fund managers and high net worth individuals located throughout the region, with a particular focus on the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In addition, Walkers Professional Services provides registered office services, directors and company secretarial services to Cayman Islands and DIFC Special Purpose Companies, as well as, ADGM Special Purpose Companies and Restricted Scope Companies (SPVs).
We are a full service law office. Our core practice areas are:
- Corporate
- Finance
- Islamic Finance
- Investment Funds
- Private Equity
- Insolvency
- Dispute Resolution
Chambers Review
Walkers has a seasoned Dubai team which is a popular choice among onshore lawyers seeking Cayman or British Virgin Islands counsel. The group offers specialist expertise in investment funds, M&A and finance. It is also able to provide on-the-ground Jersey law advice from Dubai. The team is well versed in Islamic and aviation finance, having advised on some of the MENA region's most significant transactions in these fields. It acts for a range of financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds and well-known corporations. Walkers also represents clients in a variety of commercial and shareholder disputes.
Work Highlights
- Walkers acted for cloud kitchen platform Kitopi on the BVI law aspects of its Series C funding round, which totalled USD715 million and was led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are very responsive. They give quick and efficient advice and support, as well as being approachable and easy to deal with. They understand what we need and don't take unnecessary time providing it."
"Walkers is assiduous at client care and good at handling things sensitively. They are focused and they are team players."
"I value their commercial approach to solving problems."
"The Walkers team has strong technical knowledge and an insight into market standards, which is helpful in handling complex matters."
"Walkers stands out for its availability, depth of experience and knowledge."
"They are very responsive. They give quick and efficient advice and support, as well as being approachable and easy to deal with. They understand what we need and don't take unnecessary time providing it."
"Walkers is assiduous at client care and good at handling things sensitively. They are focused and they are team players."
"I value their commercial approach to solving problems."
"The Walkers team has strong technical knowledge and an insight into market standards, which is helpful in handling complex matters."
"Walkers stands out for its availability, depth of experience and knowledge."
Notable Practitioners
Ciaran Bohnacker enjoys a sterling reputation among onshore counsel in Dubai. He is known for his assured handling of many very high-value finance transactions, including acquisition and aviation finance matters, as well as advising on bond issuances.
"Ciaran Bohnacker is very proactive and provides great advice on complex matters."
"Ciaran Bohnacker is an excellent lawyer."
Daniel Wood is particularly noted for his deep experience advising on investment fund, M&A and venture capital matters. He is managing partner of Walkers' Dubai office and enjoys great acclaim for both his rigorous client service ethic and his admirable leadership of the team.
"Daniel is up to date on market developments. He has strong business development and client-relationship skills and is also a great team leader."
Tom Cochrane is noted for his impressive capabilities regarding investment fund launches and venture capital investments. He has a wealth of experience acting for leading asset management firms.
"Tom Cochrane has a depth and breadth of expertise in investment funds. He shares market insights and developments, is approachable and responsive, and we very much enjoy working with him."
"Tom Cochrane is very responsive and pragmatic."
"I am impressed with Tom's responsiveness and his team's ability to handle complex matters."
Luke Petith heads up Walkers' insolvency and dispute resolution practice in Dubai. He assists clients with the Cayman and BVI aspects of a wide variety of commercial and shareholder disputes.
"Luke Petith is excellent, one of the brightest and most dynamic offshore partners I have worked with."
Ranked Lawyers at
Walkers (Cayman) LLP
United Arab Emirates
Members
Provided by Walkers (Cayman) LLP