Winston & Strawn LLP has strengthened its presence in the Middle East with the recent expansion of the firm’s office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The larger footprint is a result of Winston’s focused growth in the region, having grown over fourfold in attorney and staff headcount since the office opening in April 2016.
The development of the Dubai office reflects Winston’s objective to establish its presence in high-growth markets, including the Middle East. The firm’s newly expanded office in the DIFC was designed and built in six months with added space for attorneys, client interactions, and meeting rooms.
This expansion was coupled with the recent appointments of Ben Bruton and Nicholas Sharratt from Eversheds Sutherland, who have significantly strengthened Winston’s regional disputes and investigations practice, and private equity partner Chris Skipper from Dubai World private equity arm, Istithmar.
“In just over one year, we have achieved impressive growth in the Middle East region,” says Tom Fitzgerald, Winston’s Chairman. “This new office space reflects our continued investment in our international platform to further service clients with business interests across various geographies. Coupled with our London office, it also reflects a significant increase in our English law capabilities internationally.”
“The growth of our operations reflects the evolution of the DIFC as a global financial and arbitration hub, and Dubai’s continued emergence as a legal and business centre,” adds Campbell Steedman (pictured), Winston’s Managing Partner, Middle East. “We have also seen a rise in Middle East based businesses involved in US litigation which, with our market leading practice in that area, is a key focus for us.”
