Spencer West Announces UAE move as next stage in International Expansion Plans
Leading integrated fee-sharing law firm Spencer West announces the next stage of its international expansion with the opening of a new office in Dubai and the launch of a new partnership to build its reach in the Middle East.
The news will see Spencer West Middle East join forces with respected Dubai-based law firm Kashwani Law on a combined approach targeting new clients and new recruits to build a high-quality full-service corporate, commercial, disputes and private wealth offering.
The announcement comes just a few months after Spencer West opened a Brussels office to expand its post-Brexit offering to clients and the two co-founders of the business forecast more international locations would follow.
The firm sees the move into the UAE as a key step in its bid to establish the firm as the leading fee-sharing model in the region, with its partners and lawyers working flexibly as individual practices and keeping a proportion of their fee income.
It says the initial focus of the partnership with Kashwani would be to further mutual opportunities to work on both cross-border and local matters, adding that the two firms would now also embark on an immediate joint recruitment push targeting UK qualified lawyers based in UAE.
Spencer West’s London office will lead in recruiting lawyers with strong connections in the Middle East region, with Kashwani’s extensive experience in areas such as banking and finance, aviation, healthcare, shipping & maritime, oil and gas, energy, real estate and construction expected to assist in attracting high quality legal experts.
Co-founder and Senior Partner Simeon Spencer said: “Spencer West is now firmly on the map in the Middle East as a favoured destination for UK and dual qualified lawyers based in the region, and those returning to the UK from the region. We see a huge opportunity to attract lawyers in the UAE, as well as those with Middle East related practices operated from the UK.
“Strength across key regions and markets is central to our overall strategy. This association gives both firms a market-leading and dynamic presence in the region and is an exciting opportunity for both firms.”
“Kashwani Law brings a wealth of experience in the local market and excellent sector expertise, which will benefit our clients. Together, we are now uniquely placed to implement a joint strategy around the development of our presence across the UAE.
“Many of our clients and lawyers are deeply connected to the Middle East, and we expect to see increased demand from clients for our services in the region with this announcement.”
Fellow co-founder and Managing Partner Antoine West said the UAE move was not the end of the firm’s international growth, saying: “We are in the process of implementing an ‘on the ground’ presence in a range of key jurisdictions which will set us apart as a leading UK origination international fee-sharing firm with both local and international expertise.
“We are building a truly global team: a single, collaborative, united community of excellent lawyers to service our international business and private wealth clients. Our model, driven by partner-led practices acting as trusted advisors to our international client base, can be scaled like no other.
“Our ‘work anywhere, work collaboratively’ approach is resonating with senior lawyers in the marketplace who are looking for a high-quality home for their practices, within a respected, growing, dynamic international law firm with high calibre colleagues to work alongside.”
Hassan Ahmed Kashwani, Senior Partner of Kashwani, commented: “Kashwani law firm has been dedicated to providing excellent legal services in the UAE since 1986, as a mark of our 35th year we celebrate our success over the decades, our affiliation with Spencer West leads not only to us jointly having an international presence but also ensures that our clients have the best legal advice on a cross jurisdiction level, a combination of legal knowledge encompassing local expertise combined with international, our affiliation with Spencer West brings something new and unique to the market and we look forward to another 35 years and more success with this International venture!
He added: “Our new affiliation is not only international but pushes a local expansion for both our firms, Kashwani Law and Spencer West will be further established in the DIFC and we seek to expand to the ADGM market by 2022, the new affiliation is not only an indication that the market is on the road to recovery but also a venture to ensure that our clients have the best possible legal advice locally and globally.
About Spencer West
Spencer West is a leading full service international law firm advising businesses and individuals across the UK and globally. Headquartered in the City of London, the firm is built on strong collaborative values. The firm’s experienced lawyers are recognised experts in their fields from leading City, national and international law firms, and senior in-house positions. Working in a modern and dynamic way with autonomy over where, when, and how they work, Spencer West lawyers view issues from the client’s perspective to deliver results. The firm’s international presence and global outlook mean that it is uniquely placed to advise on the entire spectrum of corporate, commercial, and private wealth matters across multiple jurisdictions. For more, visit: www.spencer-west.com.
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PRESS RELEASE CONTACTS
Donna Black
MD Communications
On Behalf of Spencer West LLP
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