Quinn Emanuel Makes Strategic Move into UAE Market with Two Partner Hires

Quinn Emanuel Makes Strategic Move into UAE Market with Two Partner Hires

Quinn Emanuel announced the launch of its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices, hiring two partners from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) in Dubai. Joanne Strain, KWM's Dubai managing partner, and Parnika Chaturvedi will join Quinn Emanuel later this year.

Joanne Strain specialises in commercial and financial disputes, particularly complex shareholder and joint venture arrangements. She has extensive experience resolving disputes arising from large-scale Middle Eastern projects and financial settlements, representing major financial institutions, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Experienced arbitration practitioner Strain executes dispute resolution strategies under all major arbitral institutional rules, including DIAC, LCIA, and ICC. She regularly sits as an arbitrator for major institutions. Additionally, Strain handles cases before the Courts of England and Wales, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, and the Dubai World Tribunal, and coordinates strategies on disputes arising before the UAE Courts.

“We are delighted to be joining Quinn Emanuel and look forward to building out the UAE platform, combining the firm’s significant reputation in the region with our many years of on-the-ground experience,” Joanne Strain said.

Parnika Chaturvedi has been based in UAE for more than a decade, specialising in international commercial arbitration and litigation, often with a cross-border element. She represents clients from a variety of sectors including insurance, healthcare, construction, real estate, retail, commodities, telecommunications, energy and resources. She is qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales, a member of the state bar of California and is qualified as an advocate in India.

Parnika Chaturvedi has established her professional presence in the UAE for over 10 years, focusing her expertise on international commercial arbitration and litigation, frequently involving complex cross-border aspects. Her client portfolio spans diverse industries, encompassing insurance, healthcare, construction, real estate, retail, commodities, telecommunications, energy, and resources. Chaturvedi holds qualifications as a solicitor in England and Wales, maintains membership in the State Bar of California, and is also a qualified advocate in India.

“We are excited to be joining Quinn Emanuel and driving the firm’s growth in the UAE,” Parnika Chaturvedi said.

Strain and Chaturvedi will advise clients across the offices in the UAE.

“The UAE is without doubt one of the most exciting, energised places on Earth. We have been doing a lot of work in the region for some time and have been eyeing a UAE launch for a while. The hires of Joanne and Parnika are a real coup in a competitive partner recruitment market. Both have material practices that fit extremely well with our existing track record litigating cases for clients in the region,” John B. Quinn, Quinn Emanuel Founder and Chairman said.

Richard East, Quinn Emanuel London Senior Partner added, “Quinn has already developed a significant reputation in the UAE and we are delighted that Joanne and Parnika are joining us to assist in the further growth of our firm in the region.”