The rapid economic expansion of the United Arab Emirates in recent years has been well documented. Much of the focus has been on Dubai, with its incredible rates of economic growth, astonishing levels of development and high profile residential projects. However, the so-called Dubai Economic Miracle has not been the only success story in the Middle East. Free economies and high oil prices have been important factors in making this particular corner of the globe an economic hotspot.

The success of commercial law firms is of course reliant, in large part, upon the business surrounding them. Accordingly, this vast economic expansion has created an excellent environment in which commercial law firms, both local and international, are able to prosper. And prosper many of them have.

One consequence of this success has been several new big name arrivals. By way of example, both Herbert Smith and Lovells have recently opened new offices in Dubai, while American firm Chadbourne and Park are returning there after a 14 year absence and Conyers Dill and Pearman opened in the middle of last year. Another is that many of the firms already there, such as Ashursts and Simmons & Simmons, are expanding rapidly with the Middle East becoming a key focus of their international practice. All of which has helped fuel an already very busy legal recruitment market. Middle East specialists are in great demand, both by new and pre-existing offices, meaning there are significant numbers of lateral hires taking place at the moment. In addition, well qualified lawyers, notably in the practice areas of corporate, energy, oil and gas, finance, Islamic finance and TMT, are being heavily recruited from overseas.

Such is the nature of the Dubai market at the present time that a lot of the firms that are looking to expand are being extremely aggressive in their recruitment tactics. Highly capable individuals working with well respected practices are being actively targeted by ambitious firms. The international, typically City based, firms are also now looking very deliberately eastwards, in particular towards Hong Kong and Singapore, in search of new recruits, whereas in the past, their focus was very much towards the UK and the City. This is probably an indication that they are now unable to find enough candidates of the requisite quality from within the ranks of London’s leading firms who are willing to make the move to the Middle East.

In terms of remuneration, we have previously reported that the vast majority of international law firms have moved away from paying what were very expensive, traditional “ex-pat packages”. These would often include payment of school fees for children, very significant housing allowances, cost of living allowances (COLA), club memberships and even so called “hardship posting allowances”, notwithstanding that the standard of living for lots of the expatriates receiving them was just as high, if not higher, than they were accustomed to at home.

As an increasing number of lawyers have looked for an overseas experience, the need to persuade individuals to work overseas by extremely high packages has reduced significantly. In spite of the strong demand for high quality lawyers in Dubai and the Middle East, generally firms see no need to offer those kinds of inflated packages. In general terms, salary packages will include a relocation allowance, provision for an annual bonus, a housing allowance or alternatively an interest free, but repayable housing loan (usually to cover up front costs such as deposits and perhaps agent’s fees). Basic salaries, and certainly those paid by the City firms, are usually on a par with those paid to equivalent lawyers in their London offices.

From a candidate’s perspective, Dubai is undoubtedly the most mainstream destination in the Middle East, but it is far from being the only available option. As the area has developed economically and opened its doors to international trade, with Saudi Arabia’s entrance in the the World Trade Organization at the end of 2005 being a good example, international law firms have permeated the region. Thus a wide variety of opportunities now exist for foreign lawyers in growing economic centres such as Saudi, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. From both a lifestyle and professional perspective, these locations and the work to be found there is exciting and interesting. Getting in on the ground floor at the time of boom and rapid development can often be hugely rewarding, both in terms of personal satisfaction and opportunity, so for anyone currently seeking a new international challenge the Middle East is undoubtedly a great place to consider.

Law Alliance has significant expertise in the Middle East market, currently helping a large majority of the area’s leading firms with their recruitment needs. If you would like to discuss opportunities in the region, please contact either Jacqueline Keddie or Jeremy Small in our Singapore office.