WELL DONE
Dubai partner named in Who’s Who coveted legal list
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LA Piper is the number one firm worldwide for real estate legal expertise, according to the sixth edition of The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers, published in June 2009. It was the most highly nominated firm in the research for the publication with more nominations from clients and peers than any other worldwide. Twenty-two practitioners are featured from 13 of the firm’s offices across the globe including the UAE, a figure unrivalled by any other firm. DLA Piper is the current holder of Who’s Who Legal’s Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, having won the award every year since its inception in 2006.
Tom O’Grady, is a partner at DLA Piper. He is regularly asked by the media to comment on issues arising from changes in legislation in the real estate sector. He has made speeches at the Hawksmere Conference on ‘Large Scale Mixed Use Regeneration Schemes’ and has articles published on mixed use developments and establishing unit trusts. His professional qualification is: Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Tom O’Grady
The book is a result of six months of independent research incorporating feedback from lawyers and in-house counsel, and covers 470 lawyers in 39 separate jurisdictions. Editor-in-chief Callum Campbell said, “It is impossible to buy entry into this publication, only those lawyers who receive sufficient nominations from their peers are included. This book represents a truly global, highly qualitative survey of only the best real estate lawyers, based on exhaustive
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Research for each practice area publication is conducted through conversations with private practice lawyers of repute in the practice area in question and in related fields, as well as with general counsel Subsequent telephone and face-to-face interviews are conducted internationally to permit the refining of the listing to a selection of between 100 and 600 lawyers who, by general agreement, are considered the pre-eminent lawyers in the field It is impossible to buy entry into this publication, only lawyers who have met independent international research criteria are listed The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers 2009 acts as a reference source for purchasers of legal services seeking to corroborate the reputations of expert lawyers recommended to them by another party Who’s Who Legal aims to reduce the short-term costs incurred in finding a lawyer, but more significantly, to minimise the transactional expense and risk of receiving poor counsel
research. The unparalleled levels of positive feedback we received for DLA Piper from numerous countries worldwide testifies to its continued excellence confirms it as the leading firm in this field.” In 2008, Who’s Who Legal was named the Strategic Research Partner of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, in addition to its position as Official Research Partner of the International Bar Association. In 2006, Who’s Who Legal’s parent company Law Business Research was recognised by The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the area of international trade. These awards are the most prestigious a British company can receive.
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nternational law firm Pinsent Masons has been named Global Construction Law Firm of the Year 2009 in the Who’s Who Legal Awards. This is the third time the firm has been recognised in this way, having also won the award in 2008 and 2006. Twelve of the firm's partners are commended in the publication, spread over five different jurisdictions, including the UAE
and China. One of those given particular commendation was Michelle Nelson, a partner of Pinsent Masons’ Dubai office. Nelson has substantial international experience and has advised on a variety of projects relating to roads, hotels, airports, process and power plants, commercial and residential premises. She has particular expertise in international
arbitration, especially in the Middle East. The company’s construction group is renowned worldwide for high profile work, particularly across the GCC. The UAE team is ranked number one for construction law in Legal 500. Pinsent Masons has had an established presence in the Gulf since 2004 and offers construction, projects, real estate, corporate,
outsourcing and technology law services. With over 30 qualified legal staff including 20 construction specialists, it has the largest single group of construction lawyers in the Gulf. From its offices in Dubai, Pinsent Masons has well established links with local law firms in neighbouring countries including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
DUBAI REAL TIMES
Special commendation by legal awards for UAE work
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