Gowling WLG Strengthens Middle East IP Expertise with Key Appointments
Gowling WLG Strengthens Middle East IP Expertise with Key Appointments
Cementing its regional stronghold, Gowling WLG expands its Middle Eastern IP and Tech reach with the appointments of partner Bachir A. Chakra in Riyadh and consultant David Aylen in Dubai. This strategic move strengthens the firm's commitment to serving both Saudi Arabia's thriving tech scene and the broader needs of the region.
Taking the helm of Gowling WLG's Saudi Arabian IP and Tech practice, Riyadh-based partner Chakra draws on his vast regional and international experience, having honed his skills at top firms and in-house roles across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Singapore, and Canada. He will work closely with Al Ghazzawi & Partners, the firm's strategic partner in Saudi Arabia.
Renowned IP expert David Aylen joins Gowling WLG's Dubai office as a consultant, bringing his global acclaim and over a decade of experience to bolster the UAE's patent and trademark practices. Aylen, a key member of the firm's global IP group, will focus on attracting international clients, particularly from the US. He transitions from the Toronto office to join the firm’s Dubai office
Jon Parker, Gowling WLG's MENA IP practice head, expressed warm welcomes to both Chakra and Aylen, particularly highlighting David's vast experience as "invaluable for us, at a time when the UAE is fast-tracking its innovation landscape." Aylen's arrival is sure to strengthen the firm's position in the region.
“Bachir’s background is extremely complimentary to a number of our core areas of focus in the region and we will benefit from his experience in the KSA market in IP, Media, and Tech,” Tim Casben, Head of Gowling WLG’s offices in the Middle East, stated.
Gowling WLG reaffirms its dedication to the Middle East with these strategic appointments in IP and Tech alongside continued investments in core areas like corporate, energy, and infrastructure, the firm is poised to play a pivotal role in the region's dynamic legal landscape.
