Legal Era Recognizes Achievements Of The Legal Industry In The Middle East

Law firms, in-house legal teams, attorneys and General Counsel were recognized for their great work in the Middle East The Legal Era Middle East Awards 2020 successfully concluded virtually on 26th November 2020.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, the Legal Media Group's Legal Era Middle East Awards 2020 presented a kaleidoscope of the Middle East legal market in honouring law firms, in-house legal teams, attorneys and General Counsel who have done incredible work in this region despite the unprecedented economic crisis. An impartial jury selected the winners across different categories based on in-depth market research.

In the Law Firms' category, Karm Legal Consultants won "Emerging Law Firm of the Year". Ashurst won "Infrastructure and Energy Projects Law Firm of the Year" while Dentons bagged "Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year" Baker McKenzie was the proud winner of "Corporate Law Firm of the Year" as well as "Litigation Law Firm of the Year".

"Arbitration Law Firm of the Year" went to Hadef & Partners while "Construction Law Firm of the Year" was picked up by Pinsent Masons. "Real Estate Law Firm of the Year" was awarded to Baker McKenzie.

"TMT Law Firm of the Year" was given to Gowling WLG whereas both "Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year" and "Regional Law Firm of the Year" went to Al Tamimi & Company. Baker McKenzie won "International Law Firm of the Year" as well.

Jimmy Haoula, Managing Partner, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates won "Managing Partner of the Year".

In the In-House section, "Legal Team of the Year Banking & Finance" was awarded to Oman Insurance Company whereas "Legal Team of the Year IT, Electronics, E-Commerce & Telecommunications" went to Accenture.

Emaar Properties was the proud winner of "Legal Team of the Year Real Estate & Construction" while Saudi Aramco walked away with "Legal Team of the Year Energy & Power".

Yasser Abo Ismail, General Counsel and Compliance Officer, MENA at Schindler Group won "General Counsel of the Year".

We are humbled and honored to be named the "Legal Team of the Year 2020" at the Legal Era Middle East Law Awards 2020 for the IT, Electronics, E-Commerce & Telecommunications category," said Francesca Gori, Regional Legal lead at Accenture Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. "Our people are at the core of this success, which is why we're so committed to continuously developing and retaining the best legal professionals to create an inclusive culture where innovation thrives. We believe this will enable us to continue delivering value to Accenture, our clients and our communities.

FRANCESCA GORI
Regional Legal lead at Accenture Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa

We are humbled to have been awarded four accolades, including the "International Law Firm of the Year" award, at the inaugural Legal Era Middle East Awards 2020. This recognition coupled with the "Litigation Law Firm of the Year" award underlines our unique platform of local and international expertise to service clients' full range of legal and business needs, including dispute resolution capabilities before all courts in the UAE.

DR HABIB AL MULLA
Executive Chairman and Head of Dispute Resolution practice of Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla

Winning the "Corporate Law Firm of the Year" award is a validation of our market leading profile as a transactional powerhouse both regionally and globally. Arguably now more than ever, we continue to assist our local and multinational clients in executing their deals and stabilizing their operations in the face of the current economic crisis brought about by the pandemic. This is reflected in the major transactions and projects in the UAE and wider Middle East that we were engaged in over the last twelve months. We thank our clients and our colleagues across the region for their collaboration.

OMAR MOMANY
Head of Corporate M&A practice at Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla

It is an honor to have won the "Real Estate Law Firm of the Year" among other awards handed to Baker McKenzie at the Legal Era Middle East Awards. Amid the market disruption and economic uncertainty, the regional real estate and hospitality industry continues to remain resilient and we are happy to continue to play a major role in many of the real estate and hotel transactions in the UAE. This recognition is a testament to the strength of our full service real estate and hospitality offering in the region.

STEVEN HENDERSON
Head of Real Estate & Hospitality practice of Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla

Thank you and we are thrilled to have won the award from Legal Era - Legal Media Group - Best TMT Law Firm of the Year." 2020 has been a challenging year for all. Professionally and personally, many firms, clients and individuals have faced unexpected challenges from illness and remote working, budget cuts to using unfamiliar technologies. Technology, thankfully, has assisted us all though these challenges had illustrated the power and potential of technology and innovation in a practical way to make our lives easier and our workplaces more connected; even during times of physical disconnection. At Gowling WLG Dubai, many of the tech projects we have worked on in 2020 are examples of the UAE's commitment in sectors such as financial services, health and retail, to using these technologies to realise their transformative benefits; especially Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, autonomy and 5G implementations. We have a lot to look forward to in 2021."

TONY FIELDING & TIM CASBEN
E Gowling WLG

It's never easy to be in an unconventional sector of law. "to be" or "not to be".. "should we".. "should we not".. will we succeed? are often the questions that come to your mind. But recognitions like Legal Era's Award boost our strength to continue making a difference in the law and technology

KOKILA ALAGH
Founder, Karm Legal Consultants