Interview with: David McCoy, Partner (International Disputes) and Managing Partner of the Abu Dhabi Office

Managing Partner of ADG Legal’s Abu Dhabi office, David McCoy, explains the firm’s reasons for opening in Abu Dhabi and his plans for expansion over the next three years.

What do you see as the main points that differentiate ADG Legal from your competitors?

ADG Legal is known by its ability to bridge UAE legal complexities with international client expectations through a fully integrated disputes practice. Our Dispute Resolution team combines strong local capability with international legal standards, supported by a balanced group of local and international lawyers, including practitioners trained at leading US and Magic Circle firms. This enables us to deliver advice that is both technically strong and commercially practical.

Our practice covers UAE onshore litigation, arbitration, and international litigation, with a focus on high value and strategically significant disputes where legal issues are closely linked to commercial, operational, and reputational risk. We are regularly instructed on shareholder and joint venture disputes, board and management liability claims, contractual and financial disputes, and enforcement and asset recovery matters.

This approach is particularly effective in the UAE, where disputes often involve both onshore and offshore elements, multiple stakeholders, and parallel proceedings. Clients usually need joined-up solutions rather than separate advice from different firms. Our structure allows us to manage forum analysis, procedural positioning, evidentiary strategy, and cross-border workstreams in a consistent and efficient manner, giving clients clear direction and effective representation across the full dispute lifecycle.

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) will remain a significant driver of legal demand over the next 12 months. Its continued growth is already generating increased activity in funds, employment, and court related matters.

Arbitration is also likely to expand, particularly in the digital assets sector. Following changes to Binance’s terms of use mandating ADGM arbitration, we expect more disputes to move into private forums. That reflects a broader market preference for confidentiality, specialist tribunals, and procedural flexibility.

Green finance is another area to watch. Capital is increasingly sensitive to sustainability themes, and institutions are responding accordingly. That trend is likely to create further demand for advice linked to climate finance and investment structures.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The most significant recent development was the opening of our Abu Dhabi office two years ago. It reflected a clear market reality: clients operating in the capital increasingly wanted advisers with a genuine local presence.

We now have 10 full time lawyers based in Abu Dhabi, including Emirati and international lawyers with UK and US qualifications. That investment has strengthened our ability to advise clients on the ground, closer to key institutions and decision makers. It has also supported strong growth, with double digit year on year performance since launch.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Technology has materially changed how legal services are delivered. Secure messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have made communication faster, more direct, and more practical, especially in cross border matters involving multiple advisers. That speed is particularly important in disputes, where strategy can shift quickly and urgent relief may be required.

 Artificial intelligence is also beginning to influence delivery models across the profession. Like many firms, we are integrating AI into our systems and training our lawyers to use it effectively. The real value lies in improving efficiency while preserving the quality of legal judgment.

 ADG Legal has invested in technology that enhances delivery rather than replacing judgment. AI assisted research and case management tools have reduced research and documentation time, while integrated workflows across offices support efficient handling of multi jurisdictional mandates. For clients, this results in faster response times, greater predictability, and uninterrupted service on complex matters.

 

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

We approach client relationships as long term partnerships built on consistency, responsiveness, and a clear understanding of each client’s business operations. Every engagement is led by a dedicated relationship partner who remains actively involved throughout, ensuring continuity, accountability, and clear communication. Our teams are then structured to match the scale and nature of each mandate, enabling efficient management of transactions, disputes, projects, and ongoing advisory work.

This approach often allows us to identify wider legal and commercial issues beyond the immediate scope of instruction. For example, while representing a client in an employment dispute connected to a larger commercial arbitration, we identified that the underlying issue had arisen from weaknesses in the drafting of the client’s standard employment contracts. We subsequently carried out a broader review of its employment documentation, identified further areas of risk, and revised the relevant contracts and related agreements to strengthen protections and reduce future exposure. Given the client’s multi-jurisdictional operations, the updated templates were implemented across several offices, subject to local legal requirements. To our knowledge, the issue has not reoccurred.

We complement this work with tailored training, targeted legal updates, and early issue spotting to help clients anticipate risks and opportunities. Our advice is commercially focused, clearly delivered, and supported by direct access to senior lawyers who understand the client’s priorities.

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients increasingly expect their law firms to offer more than technical advice. They value consistency, commercial judgment, and advisers who understand broader business priorities.

ADG Legal has grown significantly over the last five years and now has more than 120 employees across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Egypt. The next stage should be disciplined growth rather than growth for its own sake.

We continue to assess opportunities in jurisdictions such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but expansion must be justified by client demand and strategic fit. In Abu Dhabi, our focus is to continue building on the momentum already established, including outgrowing our current office and doubling revenue within the next three years.