Addleshaw Goddard Appoints Rachel Hill As Partner To Strengthen Middle East Employment Practice

Addleshaw Goddard Appoints Rachel Hill As Partner To Strengthen Middle East Employment Practice

Addleshaw Goddard has announced the appointment of Rachel Hill as a Partner in its regional employment practice. Her addition swiftly follows the recruitment of Anna Zeitlin from PwC, tasked with establishing a Fintech practice.

A lawyer qualified in the UK, Rachel transitions to Addleshaw Goddard from Hadef & Partners, where she played a pivotal role in fostering the expansion and development of the employment practice. With over 16 years of experience spanning litigation and employment law, Rachel has dedicated the last decade to the Middle East, offering strategic counsel on employment law and immigration protocols.

In response to the appointment, Robin Hickman, Middle East Head at Addleshaw Goddard, remarked: “We are delighted to welcome Rachel to Addleshaw Goddard to further strengthen the Employment Partner team alongside Gorvinder Pannu. Increasing our specialist capabilities will enable us to grow our market share at a time when the region’s economies are on a robust path of diversification and expansion.”

At Addleshaw Goddard, Rachel will concentrate on employment laws and advisory services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and UAE onshore. Her comprehensive knowledge of the local UAE court system, particularly in navigating litigation processes before the Dubai Labour Courts, sets her apart—an accomplishment noteworthy for a non-Arabic speaking lawyer. Rachel's familiarity with employment regulations in neighboring regional jurisdictions also enhances the firm's service offerings to clients across the Middle East, providing valuable insights where needed.

Rachel's advisory portfolio encompasses a diverse clientele, ranging from multinationals and locally based UAE companies to government entities and financial institutions. Her extensive experience extends to navigating the Common Law Courts of both DIFC and ADGM, further enriching her expertise in the legal landscape of the region.

Rachel has amassed invaluable experience through various roles in her career trajectory. She commenced her journey at McCartan Turkington Breen Solicitors, subsequently transitioning to DLA Piper Middle East LLP. Following this, she further honed her skills at Al Tamimi & Company before making her mark at Hadef and Partners LLC. Her latest venture sees her joining Addleshaw Goddard Middle East, adding another prestigious chapter to her professional journey.

Rachel Hill, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, remarked: “It’s an exciting time to join AG, especially following a period of significant growth for the business across the Middle East. The firm has clear ambitions to continue to grow and I'm very much looking forward to playing my part, working with a really talented team to attract a greater share of more complex, higher value work.”