ADG Legal > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

ADG Legal Offices

ADG Legal
Office 1401, 48 Burj Gate Tower
Sheikh Zayed Road
PO Box 413633, Dubai
UAE
United Arab Emirates
Visit website +971 4 441 2031 +971 4 441 3365

ADG Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A

ADG Legal‘s ascendant UAE team has strengthened its ranks further through the arrival of John Podgore from Addleshaw Goddard and Paul Bugingo from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP. Mohammed Al Dahbashi leads the practice which covers a wide array of corporate and commercial mandates, often working with international clients looking to establish businesses in the UAE and wider region.

ADG Legal > Firm Profile

The firm: One of the only UAE law firms to have a dedicated representative London office, ADG Legal (ADG) is a full-service Emirati firm, headquartered in Dubai. It also has an office in Alexandria, Egypt.

ADG works hard to promote and develop Emirati talent. It also employs a collaborative approach, working hard to discover, develop and cement relationships with other high calibre lawyers and professionals worldwide. The firm then combines in-depth local knowledge with international expertise and provides responsive and bespoke legal services and strategic advice both directly to its own clients and to foreign law firms.

Established following the 2017 merger of Mohammed Al Dahbashi Advocates and Kingsgrove Partners, the firm is proud of its experienced and diverse team (including Emirati, British, Egyptian, Australian, Sudanese, and Kazakhstan members).

ADG’s aim is to continue to develop and connect exceptional local and international legal talent for the benefit of the region and beyond. Local and international clients as well as foreign law firms regularly commend ADG for its responsive, clear and commercial advice

Areas of practice: ADG is a full-service firm.

ADG offers clients the full spectrum of corporate services and commercial advice, for on-shore and offshore companies, partnerships, sole traders and free zones. By way of example, the firm drafted distribution agreements for a new shopping centre in Dubai, advised the Emirati partner of a major fast food outlet on renegotiating contracts with the company, and advised a Qatari authority in relation to acquisition of assets valued at QR 6.7bn.

The firm’s dispute resolution team is committed to resolving disputes (regional and international) in the most efficient and practical manner.  The firm’s advocates have full rights of audience before all UAE courts (including the DIFC Court), free zone authorities and tribunals.  Many of the firm’s lawyers have vast experience in dispute resolution beyond the UAE. The firm has also built up a network of leading firms and individuals in numerous other jurisdictions, enabling ADG to provide a seamless dispute resolution service for all clients, regardless of jurisdiction.

In the area of financial crime, ADG has the capability to effectively assist with internal, forensic and criminal investigations. The firm has particular expertise in obtaining and defending applications for freezing orders in local and foreign jurisdictions. ADG has in-depth understanding of the regulatory environment and of regulatory bodies in the UAE and MENA.

ADG also provides strategic advice and consultancy services to a wide range of clients, including governments. By way of example, ADG advised the Puntland State of Somalia in negotiations with P&O Ports for the $400m Bosaso Port Project.

ADG’s lawyers have vast experience relating to construction and infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions, including the UAE, DIFC, MENA region, Europe and East Africa. Experience ranges from acting for a high-net-worth individual in a dispute with a co-investor in an Abu Dhabi property project to advising a Bahraini bank in litigation concerning a $150m real estate development contract in Dubai.

ADG has extensive experience in defending criminal charges in the UAE. Whether a UAE or foreign national, the firm seeks to protect clients’ interests and rights, and guides them through understandably difficult times with compassion, understanding and sensitivity.

For clients with family-related matters, ADG is able to provide expert advice and guidance. From wealth management and succession planning to inheritance disputes, divorce and custody matters, ADG provides responsive and clear advice.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Commercial, Corporate, Dispute Resolution (Litigation and Arbitration), Financial Crime and Investigations, Government Regulation, Finance and Family Business Mohammed Al Dahbashi mad@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Commercial and Corporate Francesco Bulleri fb@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Dispute Resolution (Litigation and Arbitration) Josh Kemp jk@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Dispute Resolution (Litigation and Arbitration) Ahmed Ragab AlKotby ark@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Employment Bahriddini Sultan bs@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Employment Abdelmaguid Fouad af@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Family Business, Government Regulation, Criminal Abdulrahman Junaid aj@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Criminal, Government Regulation, Construction – Contentious and Non-contentious, Real Estate and Litigation Ahmed Ragab AlKotby ark@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Criminal and Government Regulation Waleed Abu El Matty wam@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Real Estate Ahmed Ragab Alkotby ark@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Construction – Contentious and Non-Contentious Josh Kemp jk@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Construction – Contentious and Non-contentious Ahmed AlKotby ark@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Construction - Non-Contentious Scott Lambert sl@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Transactional Matters John Podgore jp@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031
Litigation Jaber Al Ameeri jaa@adglegal.com +971 4 441 2031

Meet The Team(s)

Solicitor Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Christopher Gibson photo Christopher Gibson Associate View Profile
Debora Krasniqi photo Debora Krasniqi Associate View Profile

Staff Figures

Number of Lawyers : 34
At this Office : 31

Languages

English
Arabic
French
German
Russian
Italian
Malay
Tagalog
Shona
Somali
Spanish
Swahili
Hindi
Pashto
Persian
Portuguese
Kazakh
Tamil
Albanian
Turkish
Urdu

Memberships

International Bar Association (IBA)
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
New York Bar Association

Other

Other offices : Abu Dhabi, London and Egypt

Diversity


ADG Legal is committed to ensuring equal opportunity and fairness in all employment areas and valuing the diversity of our colleagues, clients, and people living within our local communities. Inclusion and diversity are deep-rooted in who we are today because we understand they will help us achieve our goals. We recognize that differences among people are vital to providing the highest level of client service and that different viewpoints, backgrounds, and capabilities reinforce us. Our employees respect each other and understand that harassment, discrimination, racism, and oppression are unacceptable. Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion is a top priority in our recruitment policies. We are a diverse global workforce with more than 23 different nationalities, and some of our senior positions have been women and/or from developing countries.

Client Testimonials


TESTIMONIAL: I found Ahmed very helpful and knowledgeable about local law. I appreciated his follow-up and was impressed that he was more about doing a ‘perfect’ job than billing per minute. He was willing to go the extra mile. Thank you, Ahmed, you will be the first person I call when I have a need in the future.

TESTIMONIAL: I am a past client of Mr. Ahmed Alkotby and I have always felt that I am in safe hands. I owe a lot to Mr. Ahmed for taking care of my affairs. He is so professional and competent. Ahmed takes all initiatives to safeguard his client’s interests. I will be very proud and feel so safe to appoint Ahmed again and again, to take care of my legal affairs.

TESTIMONIAL: “I sincerely thank you for your professional cooperation. On our side as Elite Law SA, but also on the side of TB1, we have definitely found a reliable partner for any future legal matters in the UAE. I can tell you that we both had previous experiences with other law firms in the area but we were not so satisfied. In turn we really appreciated your availability, flexibility and preparation.

TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you so much once again. I’m really happy with how fast things are moving and the credibility of your services. After many months without hope and living not in the best conditions I can finally see and feel hope and happiness again. There’s not a lot of words I can put into it but I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me, all the help, the support and even the silly questions that I asked. I appreciate the hard work.”

Spotlights

Complex Commercial Dispute

Commercial disputes across the globe are becoming increasingly onerous to navigate. International business expansions and cross-border transactions carry risks of complexity, increased corporate scrutiny, and changing geopolitical and regulatory environments. Whilst clients look to proactively mitigate their risks, the attending stakes can be significant for businesses with potential global impact.

Complex commercial disputes can often present an array of serious profitability, reputation, and sometimes existential issues for businesses. Our approach is straightforward: understanding the dispute, proactively working with the client to provide tailor-made strategies, and then implementing them to achieve the desired outcomes. Recognizing that business objectives can evolve (and sometimes rapidly), we keep flexibility at the core of our approach.

From the onset of a dispute through to its resolution, we employ bespoke and creative dispute resolution strategies, often leading to satisfactory outcomes. Once retained, we work with our clients to immediately identify the strengths and weaknesses of the case. Our commercial disputes team takes an integrated approach from the very earliest stage to assess risk, with or without other professional advisors (as necessary), enabling our clients to avoid a costly dispute. Our integrated practice structures enable our commercial disputes team to collaborate with our non-contentious lawyers for providing our clients with strong support, regardless of their location.

Our team is committed to resolving complex commercial disputes (regional and international) efficiently and practically, whether it be litigation, arbitration, or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Our lawyers have full rights of audience before all UAE courts (including the DIFC Court), free zone authorities, and tribunals. We have also carefully curated a network of leading firms and individuals in numerous other jurisdictions, enabling us to provide a seamless dispute resolution service for all clients, regardless of jurisdiction.

Be it complex trans-national or high-stakes regional disputes, our lawyers attend to each client’s case focused on strategies that will yield the most optimal outcome. With our wide international and regional network of partners, we ensure to take into due consideration all aspects of the matter, including the prospects of successful enforcement. In doing so, our commercial disputes lawyers regularly represent clients on mandates involving asset tracing and asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and other national or international barriers to enforcement.

Our experience also extends to assisting our clients with formulating and implementing ingenious strategies in alternative dispute resolution and out-of-court settlements. Our lawyers both prevent and resolve disputes by providing practical, creative, and cost-effective advice to achieve our client’s strategic and commercial objectives.

Our commercial disputes team, of high-caliber and dynamic lawyers from international and local backgrounds, is known for its expertise in banking and finance, construction and infrastructure, real estate, intellectual property, insolvency and bankruptcy, product liability, joint venture, and shareholder disputes.

ADG Legal

ADG Legal, established in 2017 following the merger of Mohammed Al Dahbashi Advocates and Kingsgove Partners, is now a renowned full-service law firm headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with offices in Abu Dhabi, Egypt, and London.

The ADG legal team is multi-lingual, with our team of lawyers coming from the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and Africa. We are committed to finding solutions and providing legal certainty and support to our clients. We pride ourselves on our expertise and professionalism.

 

Areas of practice: ADG is a full-service firm

Commercial, Corporate and M&A

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, legal counsel plays an integral role in guiding corporations through the intricate web of corporate, commercial, and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) matters. As businesses strive for growth, expansion, and strategic partnership, they encounter an array of legal complexities that require astute navigation and meticulous attention to detail. At ADG Legal, our dedicated team of legal experts stands ready to provide comprehensive assistance in corporate affairs, commercial transactions, and M&A activities, ensuring our clients’ interests are safeguarded and their objectives achieved.

Corporate law

Corporate law forms the bedrock upon which businesses operate and thrive. It encompasses a broad spectrum of legal issues ranging from corporate governance and compliance to shareholder rights and dispute resolutions. ADG’s corporate practice is committed to delivering tailored solutions that address the unique needs and challenges faced by each client. Whether it’s entity formation, corporate structuring, or drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, our legal experts provide strategic guidance to help clients establish a solid legal framework for their business.

Commercial transactions

In an increasingly globalized marketplace, commercial transactions have become more complex and multifaceted. ADG assists all commercial matters, from negotiating supply agreements and licensing arrangements to handling distribution contracts, from joint venture arrangements to assisting businesses on how to navigate all legal considerations to protect their interests and mitigate risks. ADG’s commercial law practice specializes in assisting clients with a wide array of transactional matters, offering expert advice on contract drafting, negotiation, and enforcement. With a keen understanding of industry dynamics and market trends, our lawyers help clients capitalize on opportunities while minimizing exposure to potential liabilities.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

M&A transactions represent pivotal moments in the lifecycle of any business, presenting both opportunities and challenges for stakeholders involved. Whether it’s a merger, acquisition, or restructuring, M&A transactions require meticulous planning, due diligence, and strategic execution to ensure success. ADG boasts a distinguished track record in handling complex M&A transactions across various industries and jurisdictions. From conducting comprehensive due diligence investigations to drafting and negotiating transaction documents, our M&A team provides invaluable support at every stage of the deal process. We work closely with clients to identify synergies, assess risks, and devise innovative strategies that maximize value and achieve strategic objectives.

At ADG, we understand that every client is unique, with distinct goals, challenges, and priorities. That is why we take a client-centric approach to our practice, tailoring our services to meet the specific needs of each individual or organization we serve. Whether representing multinational corporations, emerging startups, or high net-worth individuals, we are committed to delivering exceptional results and exceeding our client’s expectations.

Corporate, Commercial, and M&A practice represent the core legal areas of ADG, and we pride ourselves on our ability to provide top-tier legal services that empower our clients to navigate complex legal challenges with confidence and achieve their business objectives with certainty.