November 10, 2021
Firm opens location in Dubai; adds Middle East and Africa Regional Managing Director as well as significant staff including a partner, principal, associates, and business professionals.
DUBAI, NOVEMBER 10, 2021 – Building on its extensive experience in the region, global disputes and investigations firm Kobre & Kim has opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), expanding its globally integrated disputes and investigations offerings in the Dubai International Finance Centre (“DIFC”) jurisdiction as well as the greater Middle East and Africa (“MEA”).
The location will serve as a hub for litigating high-value, complex cross-border disputes with a nexus to both the DIFC and the MEA region. Additionally, Kobre & Kim Dubai will offer global and local private clients integrated strategies to protect their assets and reputation in civil and criminal proceedings and investigations aimed at asset forfeiture and confiscation.
“Disputes and investigations in the DIFC, as well as in the broader MEA region, are growing in terms of both complexity and scale,” said founding partner Steven Kobre. “As such, there is an increasing demand among sophisticated clients for deep expertise that few global firms can provide. We look forward to continuing to meet that demand, both for clients based within the Middle East and Africa as well as for our existing global client base with commercial interests in the region.”
Mahmoud Selim, an experienced business legal professional, and leading DIFC court practitioner Paul Hughes have joined Kobre & Kim in Dubai.
Mr. Selim, who joined the firm as the MEA Regional Managing Director earlier this year, will lead the firm’s commercial strategy within the region. Mr. Selim will advance the firm’s regional business in partnership with global leadership to meet the growing demand for international judgment enforcement, asset recovery litigation and private client services. A former public prosecutor and investigations magistrate and a frequent commentator on legal developments in the Arab world, Mr. Selim brings two decades of experience in the region, including ten years of practicing law in Dubai and the DIFC.
“Kobre & Kim’s further commitment to the MEA region reinforces the firm’s position as a global leader composed of trusted advisors with a deep local understanding of key markets around the world,” said Mr. Selim. “Our efforts have always been the product of multi-disciplined, highly coordinated global teams that can drive forward a client’s overall litigation strategy; quarterback simultaneous proceedings around the world; and merge seamlessly with existing co-counsel.”
Mr. Hughes, who joins the firm as a partner, brings nine years of experience litigating disputes and leading investigations in the UAE and the wider region, including his particular expertise in cross-border shareholder and company disputes, having split his practice between international arbitration and DIFC courts. His addition will also enhance the firm’s enforcement offerings, having acted on some of the largest and most complex enforcement actions in the DIFC and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) courts.
Three lawyers – principal Richard Clarke, as well as associates Nada Oteifi and Katy Fisher – have joined Mr. Selim and Mr. Hughes in Dubai.
Mr. Clarke, an English barrister who specializes in cross-border commercial dispute resolution, is joining the firm after more than six years of practicing in the UAE, most recently at Dentons. Recently named by Legal 500 as a “rising star” for International Litigation, Mr. Clarke has handled sophisticated joint venture disputes involving multi-million-dollar claims and counterclaims brought to forums such as the High Court in London, Court of Justice of the European Union and DIFC Courts.
Ms. Oteifi focuses on cross-border arbitral award and judgment enforcement matters. She has particular experience implementing strategies against sovereign entities including governments, state-owned enterprises and other state actors following commercial arbitration and investment treaty disputes.
Ms. Fisher defends individual and institutional clients against government investigations and enforcement, focusing on high-profile regulatory investigations in the Middle East, including those conducted in the DIFC, as well as those in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and Qatar Financial Centre. Earlier in her career, Ms. Fisher worked in the Enforcement Division of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, first as an investigator and then as a specialist lawyer within the Enforcement Division’s legal team.
As the firm expands its geographic presence to the DIFC, it will continue to partner with local Dubai and UAE counsel, leveraging its role as conflict-free special co-counsel to build a strong network of advisors while also coordinating strategy across different jurisdictions.
“Kobre & Kim’s conflict-free profile makes it a considerable asset to corporate entities and private clients native to and operating within this region and a valuable partner to local counsel,” said Mr. Hughes. “I am excited to part of the further development of the firm’s Middle East and Africa presence.”
The firm opened its first Middle East location in 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The addition of Dubai complements the firm’s 15 established locations across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Middle East region. It will tap into a deep network of UK barristers and Queen’s Counsel, solicitors, ex-U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors and civil and offshore-registered lawyers.
Contact information for Kobre & Kim Dubai can be found below:
Kobre & Kim
Office 27-01, Level 27,
ICD Brookfield DIFC
Dubai, UAE
+971 4 454 3900
About Kobre & Kim
Kobre & Kim is a global Am Law 200 law firm that focuses on cross-border disputes and investigations, often involving fraud and misconduct. Our specialized, integrated product offerings allow the firm to address clients’ underlying problems, whether they are legal, financial or reputational. For example, the firm has deep experience working on behalf of both creditors and debtors in international claims litigation, strengthening our ability to deliver on both sides of these disputes. For ultra-high-net-worth individuals with global business interests, we deploy cross-border litigation and crisis management strategies to preserve assets, liberty and reputation. We primarily act as special advocates in sensitive situations requiring independence and conflict-free advocacy.