With ‘high knowledge and experience’, Al Tamimi & Company is a key port of call for various multinationals and public sector entities. The practice’s broad caseload spans day-to-day employee relations, employment litigation, as well as transactional work. Samir Kantaria oversees the team and is a strong choice for blue chip clients, while Gordon Barr is experienced in advising financial institutions. Co-lead of the education team Ivor McGettigan handles disciplinary proceedings for a breadth of UAE-based schools.

Noted for its expertise in the employment aspects of corporate transactions, Clyde & Co LLP’s full-service offering encompasses bonus schemes, breaches of employment contracts, recruitment, and contract structuring. Praised for her ‘pragmatic and commercially orientated’ advice, Sara Khoja often handles matters concerning senior employees. Former legal director Samantha Ellaby departed the practice for an in-house role in September 2023. Rebecca Ford left the practice in February 2024.

Lauded as ‘experts within the field’, Pinsent Masons LLP boasts a strong roster of academic establishments, infrastructure, and Middle East-based business clients. The ‘responsive, commercial, and helpful’ practice has also recently been engaged in an assortment of high-profile employment investigations. The ‘phenomenal’ Luke Tapp leads the team and handles a breadth of non-contentious matters including employee transfers, restructuring, and senior executive terminations and exit strategies. Ruth Stephen and Michael Chattle are knowledgeable of employee regulations in free zones, while Lujain Assaf is experienced in annual leave entitlement, breach of contract, and bonus payment arbitration.

Particularly active in company restructurings, team moves, and whistleblowing regulations, Afridi & Angell is noted for its capabilities in UAE labour law mandates. The practice is principally focused on employer side representation and is led by ‘seasoned professional and problem solver’ Charles Laubach, who is proficient in compensation schemes, the employment aspects of M&A, and workforce reduction programmes. Stuart Walker advises multinational entities on their UAE branch establishment and is a key contact for corporate and financial services clients. Sulakshana Senanayake is well-regarded for his experience in DIFC court litigation.

A strong choice for a litany of international corporates, Dentons is noted for its ‘global footprint and local knowledge’. Offering clients ‘first rate advice’, Shiraz Sethi leads the department and handles employment recruitment, terminations, and workplace investigations across the energy, insurance, and technology sectors. Chris Brennan represents corporates and individuals in criminal prosecution, and leads the firm’s compliance and investigations team. Ali Al Assaad frequently handles the drafting and negotiations of employment offers and contracts.

At the forefront of federal labour law mandates, DLA Piper is commended for its ‘expertise and experience to handle complex matters’. The team, which is chosen counsel for blue-chip construction, energy, and technology clients, is proficient in employee benefits, data privacy, and global mobility. Practice head Iain Skinner is well equipped to handle executive terminations, exit strategies, as well as confidentiality, free zone, and onshore UAE labour disputes. Nadia Akhter is adept in the employment aspects of M&A transactions and regulatory investigations concerning employee data privacy and employment litigation. Natalie Jones was a new arrival in February 2024.

Eversheds Sutherland LLP handles the full-range of non-contentious employment mandates, notably business expansion, crisis management, internal investigations, and high-level senior level exits. On the contentious side, the practice is well regarded for its arbitrary dismissal and end of service gratuity entitlement capabilities. Geraldine Ahern is knowledgeable of employment contracts, international labour law issues, and the reviewing of employment handbooks. Lisa Bryson often advises clients on diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as restrictive covenants.

Praised as ‘practical, responsive, and straightforward when it comes to contentious situations’, Hadef & Partners LLC is proficient in employment investigations arising from employee fraud. Litigation specialist Rachel Hill often advises clients on the implications of the UAE labour law, while Taher Abdeen Ibrahim is skilled at labour and local immigration disputes before various federal courts. Suzanne Gingles is frequently engaged in UAE employment compliance.

Offering clients ‘an exceptional blend of legal expertise, innovative solutions, and a strategic vision’, KBH Limited is well versed in employment contractual disputes. The team is also further praised for its ‘track record of remarkable success in complex cases’ and is led by ‘seasoned litigator’ Bushra Ahmed. Kamila Sielski is experienced in representing various employment clients before the DIF courts, while Helen Dent is also a key member of the team.

Often handling preeminent workplace investigations, Squire Patton Boggs specialises in employment privacy and data protection compliance. With a global offering, the practice is also well-equipped to handle a breadth of litigation before Oman, Saudi, and UAE Labour Courts. Praised for her ‘deep knowledge of local laws and practices’, Sarah Lawrence advises clients on workforce training, workplace behavioural and harassment issues, as well as workplace investigations. Habib Saeed handles settlement agreements, senior executive terminations, and the employment aspects of corporate M&A transactions. Ayah Abdin is proficient in employee transfers, as well as the review of contracts and handbooks.

A ‘very cohesive and responsive team’, Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP collaborates with the firm’s international network on cross-border business restructurings, incentives arrangements, and employment litigation. Kiersten Lucas is particularly skilled at internal investigations, restrictive covenants, as well as the employment aspects of international data protection and privacy. Emily Aryeetey advises DFSA-regulated employers on financial services regulations, Laura Anderson is well versed in immigration matters. Since publication, Youssab Rafla left the firm.

The team at Addleshaw Goddard is a key port of call for financial and professional services clients on employment disputes. ‘Exceptional lawyer’ Ben Brown co-leads the team, and he is ‘extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and receives great support from David True'. Also co-lead of the practice, Gorvinder Pannu specialises in union legislation and industrial action.

Leveraging support from the firm’s offices across the Middle East, Baker McKenzie LLP's UAE presence has a strong record before free zone authorities, tribunals as well as various UAE courts. Praised for its ‘expertise of the local market’, the practice is also geared to handle employment mandates pertaining to transactions. Joanna Matthews-Taylor leads the team and is proficient in compliance as well as workplace investigations. Aqsa Khan-Sadiq, Mark Tedeschi, and Sami Nasr are further key team members.

Praised for its ‘specialised knowledge of labour law matters across several jurisdictions’, Bird & Bird handles employment contracts, investigations, exits and transfers. Johannes Eisser oversees the team, his recent caseload featuring a number of employee terminations, while Surabhi Singhi is knowledgeable of post-termination restrictions and obligations.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a strong record in contentious employment claims before the DIFC, as well as various other courts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. On the non-contentious side, the practice excels in employee transfers and terminations, service gratuity and bonus schemes, as well as travel bans and visa cancellations. Stuart Paterson specialises in the energy and financial service sectors and is often engaged in corporate crime, investigations, and regulatory matters. Janine Mallis is proficient in restrictive covenants and whistleblowing protections. Benjamin Hopps left the firm in early 2024.

With a full-service offering, K&L Gates represents clients on contentious arbitrary dismissal, discrimination, restrictive covenants, and unpaid dues matters. With over a decade of experience, Nazanin Aleyaseen is proficient in internal investigations surrounding fraud and misconduct. Mohammad Rwashdeh is also a key member of the team with broad contentious and non-contentious employment capabilities.

Counting FMCG, energy, public sector, and technology clients on its roster, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal Middle East LLP’s key strengths lie in GCC pensions and incentives. Victoria Smylie is experienced in corporate transactions, internal investigations, and global restructuring projects. Since research concluded, Natalie Jones left the firm.