Department profile
Walkers

Offshore

Global Guide 2026 : United Arab Emirates

Share profile

Walkers

Rankings

About

Provided by Walkers

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

Provided by Chambers

Offshore - United Arab Emirates

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Walkers (Dubai) LLP 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.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Walkers represented Allfunds Bank in its petition to wind up the Rasmala Trade Finance Fund, in which it held shares.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Walkers is the best law firm for offshore disputes.

    Offshore respondentGlobal

  • The Walkers team has an excellent reputation and deep expertise.

    Offshore respondentGlobal

  • Walkers' funds team stands out for its deep technical knowledge of Cayman law in the context of fund structures, combined with an understanding of the objectives of Middle Eastern investors.

    Offshore respondentGlobal

  • Walkers demonstrates strong commercial awareness and a deep understanding of client businesses, tailoring their advice to sector-specific needs and market developments.

    Offshore respondentGlobal

  • The Walkers team is extremely proactive and responsive.

    Offshore respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Daniel Wood
    Daniel Wood

    Daniel Wood

    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’s deep market insight and responsiveness set him apart as a go-to adviser for sophisticated fund transactions in the Middle East.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Daniel Wood is extremely smart, reachable and goes the extra mile.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • He consistently delivers clear and pragmatic advice, tailored to complex structuring and regulatory matters, earning client trust with his proactive and solutions-driven approach.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Daniel Wood is highly regarded for his technical expertise and commercial acumen in the funds space.

      Offshore respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Ciaran Bohnacker
    Ciaran Bohnacker

    Ciaran Bohnacker

    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 reliable and great to work with.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Ciaran Bohnacker is my go-to person. He is responsive and approachable.

      Offshore respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Tom Cochrane
    Tom Cochrane

    Tom Cochrane

    Tom Cochrane garners significant praise for his impressive capabilities regarding investment fund launches and venture capital investments. He is widely viewed as a leading market figure, with a wealth of experience acting for asset managers.

    • Tom Cochrane is very smart and helpful.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Tom provides clients with practical and commercially focused solutions. His responsiveness and deep sector knowledge make him a trusted adviser for clients seeking sophisticated guidance.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Tom Cochrane stands out for his sharp understanding of private equity and venture capital fund structures. He is able to navigate complex issues with clarity and precision.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Tom Cochrane is a very pragmatic, commercial and extremely affable practitioner.

      Offshore respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Luke Petith
    Luke Petith

    Luke Petith

    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, as well as high-value insolvency and restructuring proceedings.

    • Luke Petith is far-sighted and strategically excellent.

      Offshore respondentGlobal

    • Luke Petith is exceptional. He has extensive legal knowledge and acute commercial awareness.

      Offshore respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Murray Laing
    Murray Laing

    Murray Laing

    Murray Laing is an experienced offshore litigator and represents several big-name clients in a variety of cross-border commercial disputes. His expertise includes asset transfer disputes and white-collar criminal cases.

    • Murray Laing is excellent all round. He is calm under pressure, technically very strong and builds the trust of clients.

      Offshore respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Cate Barbour
    Cate Barbour

    Cate Barbour

    Cate Barbour is a senior counsel with considerable experience advising on high-value shareholder disputes and insolvency matters, including with regard to the imposition of freezing orders.

    • Cate Barbour is an excellent team member and is very diligent.

      Offshore respondentGlobal
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Walkers (6)

United Arab Emirates

Members

Provided by Walkers

Walkers has rankings in the following guides

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership