Global law firm White & Case LLP has added Emirati national and United Arab Emirates (UAE)-qualified lawyer, Abdulwahid Al Ulama, as a partner in Abu Dhabi. He joins the Firm’s Global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Practice.
“As an Emirati national and highly regarded UAE-qualified lawyer with over 12 years’ experience in both industry and the legal profession, Abdulwahid significantly bolsters our local presence, and enhances our ability to deliver UAE law expertise to both leading UAE-based businesses and our global clients seeking to do business in the UAE,” said François Leloup, Regional Section Head for M&A/Corporate in Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “As the markets in the Gulf continue to mature, clients increasingly require local expertise, and together with our existing team in the UAE, Abdulwahid reflects our commitment to meeting that demand.”
Al Ulama is the first Emirati partner to join any of the major international law firms currently active in Abu Dhabi, and his appointment reflects the strong commitment White & Case has made to the Middle East. In addition to his M&A and corporate work, Al Ulama’s experience in financial regulation, capital markets, banking and finance, projects, real estate, litigation and arbitration will support the Firm’s other core practice areas.
“With more than half a century of commitment and experience with the Gulf Cooperation Council and wider Middle East region, and with six partners based in Abu Dhabi, White & Case already has a highly experienced team working in the UAE,” said Margaret B. Cole, Executive Partner for the Firm’s Abu Dhabi office. “We are delighted to welcome Abdulwahid to the partnership – his addition reflects our continued commitment and desire to strengthen strategically our practice in the UAE, and our commitment to Emiratization in Abu Dhabi.”
“As a highly regarded lawyer and legal authority in the UAE, Abdulwahid provides us with a unique opportunity to build on our existing practice in the UAE, allowing us to support both UAE clients as they grow internationally, and international investors as they increasingly seek the opportunities the UAE offers.”
Al Ulama received his LLB (first in class) from the United Arab Emirates University in 1999 and his LLM from University College London in 2001. He was admitted to practice before the United Arab Emirates courts in 2000, is a former partner of Al Tamimi and Company and former Group Chief Legal Officer of Dubai World Group. He is a certified arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Center and the International Chamber of Commerce.
Al Ulama is the first locally qualified partner to join the Firm’s Abu Dhabi office. Led by partner Margaret B. Cole, the office’s capabilities have been boosted over the last two years with a number of high profile additions. The Firm welcomed partner Campbell Steedman, who specializes in corporate matters and M&A, at the end of 2011. Partner Saul Daniel, an English-qualified lawyer who advises utilities, sponsors, lenders and governments on a range of energy matters, moved to Abu Dhabi from the Firm’s London office in early 2011. Partner Shibeer Ahmed, a leading banking lawyer with expertise in Islamic finance and project finance, joined White & Case in November 2010.
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