Spencer West expands into the Middle East region with new office in the UAE

International law firm Spencer West has today announced the launch of its Middle East practice from the UAE, marking a significant step in the firm’s international growth strategy.

The Middle East practice brings together four Founding and Managing Partners – Tarek Antaki, Dr. José Campos Nave (joining in January 2026), Susan O’Rourke, and Ishtiaq Nawaz-Chechi – who collectively bring a total of six decades of international experience, including 21 years in the Middle East.

The Partners have practiced across the Middle East, Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal), Asia (China, Japan, South Korea and India), United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria) and Australia, for a combined 60+ years.

Spencer West Middle East combines its innovative way of practicing law with nuanced, culturally aware local guidance. In a significant proof of concept for Spencer West’s global, Partner-led model, the Founding and Managing Partners have come together from far corners of the world to build a modern, international practice that operates with both autonomy and the backing of a global community of 360 Partners across 25+ jurisdictions.

The office will advise clients across corporate M&A and tax, private equity, joint ventures, infrastructure (BOT/PPP), project finance, commercial and labour law, arbitration, compliance, and sovereign risk. Sector focus includes real estate, energy, oil and gas, LNG, chemicals, low carbon tech, aviation, Islamic finance, crypto assets, and AI infrastructure.

Spencer West Senior Partner Simeon Spencer said by combining local insight with global expertise, Spencer West Middle East offers agile, Partner-led advice to clients navigating complex cross-border opportunities.

“The Middle East is a dynamic and evolving market, and our new office positions us to deliver distinctive legal solutions across the region,” Spencer said.

“Our Founding and Managing Partners bring unmatched expertise and energy, and they are underway with some exciting projects and opportunities for our clients.”

The launch reflects Spencer West’s commitment to expanding its international presence, with the new office serving as a conduit for the firm to provide both local and global legal services.

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Additional information and quotes from Spencer West Middle East Founding and Managing Partners:

Tarek Antaki

Tarek is a corporate and commercial lawyer with more than 15 years of experience across the GCC. He advises on company formation, corporate transactions, private equity, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, major infrastructure projects (PPP/BOT), sovereign-state and local and foreign bidder opportunities across the GCC, labour law and regulatory compliance and construction contracts in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Tarek has held senior roles at Rödl & Partner and Hussain Lootah & Associates. He speaks Arabic, English, and French and brings deep regional expertise to Spencer West Middle East.

“Our experience across multiple jurisdictions and sectors enables us to provide clients with solutions that are both practical and globally informed. Spencer West Middle East is the perfect base to bring our expertise together.”

Dr. José Campos Nave, EMBA (Accounting & Controlling)

José is an experienced international lawyer, advising German and multinational clients on mergers and tax, business expansion and cross-border projects with the focus on Europe, Middle East and Africa. He holds a doctorate degree and an EMBA (Accounting & Controlling) from the University of Münster. José is Certified Lawyer for tax, corporate and commercial law and is Certified Consultant for Cryptoassets and Tax as well as Certified Compliance Officer. José studied at Frankfurt/Main and Mainz. José started his career in 1996 in New York City for a member firm of the Alliance of European Lawyers. He was a Founding and Managing Partner of a Frankfurt commercial and tax law boutique and was a Managing Partner and Partner at Rödl & Partner -one of the leading German law firms – since 2004. In 2017 he was also licensed as a Legal Consultant in Dubai and is recognised for his publications and speaking on corporate law and compliance.

José joins Spencer West in January 2026.

“We are combining decades of international experience to offer clients legal advice that is strategic, commercially focused, and culturally aware. The Middle East office allows us to deliver this in a modern, Partner-led environment.”

Susan O’Rourke

Susan is an Australian and UK-qualified lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience in top-tier international firms. She specialises in corporate M&A, joint ventures, private equity and major infrastructure projects, having led deals valued at over US$65 billion across Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and the UK. Her Middle East experience includes landmark projects such as Kuwait’s US$3.4bn Olefins plant with Dow Chemical. Susan holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.)/Bachelor of Economics from ANU and completed Harvard University’s Negotiation summer course. She will focus on infrastructure, transport and energy (oil and gas, LNG and low carbon technologies) projects, project finance, M&A and joint ventures, private equity, AI infrastructure and sovereign-state and local and foreign bidder opportunities across the Middle East and Australasia as part of Spencer West Middle East.

“I look forward to participating in the wealth of opportunities across the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Syria, and Kuwait. Our long and deep international and local knowledge and experience in a wide range of specialities mean we are able to give clients forward thinking advice and negotiation support to meet their goals.”

Ishtiaq Nawaz-Chechi

Ishtiaq is a multi-jurisdictional lawyer admitted in England & Wales and Pakistan, with extensive experience in real estate, secured lending, commercial law, Islamic finance, and international arbitration. He has led high-value transactions including secured loans over £500 million, major property acquisitions in the UK and Pakistan, and commercial restructurings. Founder of Spencer West Pakistan and a Solicitor-Advocate, Ishtiaq is currently pursuing a part-time PhD on commercial law in Pakistan. He will focus on expanding Spencer West Middle East’s services across the Middle East, UK, and Asia.

“The Middle East presents immense opportunities for cross-border growth. As Founding and Managing Partner of Spencer West Pakistan and co-founding Partner of Spencer West Middle East, there is significant opportunity to provide solutions for clients who are present in both regions.”

ENDS