Mark E Bisch

Practice Areas

As a longstanding Partner in the Middle East, Mark Bisch has established himself as a trusted advisor to leading global entities and domestic businesses, guiding them through intricate corporate and commercial transactions across the Middle East and North Africa region. His expertise spans diverse areas including complex joint ventures, contracting and procurement, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. Mark offers clients unparalleled local market insights and extensive corporate and commercial capabilities, offering invaluable guidance on a wide range of matters including: joint ventures (JVs); agency agreements (including franchising); mergers and acquisitions (M&A); corporate formations and governance; technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) transactions; energy transactions; public procurement (including defense); engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts; real estate transactions; regulatory compliance; immigration and employment advice; and dispute resolution, including arbitration. Mark's commitment to delivering market-leading solutions tailored to each client's unique needs underscores his reputation as a premier advisor in the region.

Career

Mark Bisch, the Corporate Department Chair for Baker Botts in the Middle East, and Partner-in-Charge of the Dubai Office, brings over 28 years of resident Middle East experience and market intelligence to his clients. Renowned for his practical, sound advice and unwavering commitment to his clients and colleagues, Mark is a trusted advisor sought after by global enterprises and local businesses alike. By now, Mark has nearly seen it all.

Throughout his extensive career in the Middle East, Mark has excelled in navigating intricate legal landscapes, specializing in joint ventures, contracting, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance across the Middle East and North Africa. Mark’s profound understanding of regional dynamics and nuanced approach to client representation have consistently placed him at the forefront of the legal profession.

Mark's reputation is underscored by his consistent recognition as a leading practitioner, as reflected in his high rankings in esteemed legal publications such as Chambers Global. Mark’s enduring dedication to shaping the legal framework in the Middle East highlights his role within the industry.

Drawing on his vast experience, Mark is keenly attuned to the needs of in-house counsel, a perspective further enriched by his tenure at as a secondee to PepsiCo, Inc.'s international law department.

Testimonials from Chambers Global UAE, 2023, illustrate Mark’s distinction and expertise: "Mark Bisch is a distinguished Dubai-based lawyer who has expertise in a range of matters, including joint ventures, commercial agreements, and corporate governance. He is accomplished in acting for multinationals as well as leading domestic and regional companies, with an especially strong client following in the defense sector." Clients have expressed to Chambers Global that "Mark Bisch understands very well the art of boiling down complex issues to their essence. He's a top-notch lawyer" and that Mark “knows a lot about the market, he knows a lot of people and he's really reliable. He knows his stuff and is the guy who'll answer the phone on the second ring," and commended Mark on his “responsiveness and excellent quality of work relating to joint ventures and contract issues,” highlighting that Mark “has excellent client relations."

Professional Memberships

AmCham (Abu Dhabi); US-UAE Business Council; Defense Services Marketing Council (DSMC) UAE; Missouri Bar; and Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department (as a registered Legal Consultant).

Publications

Get to Work! Planning for Implementation of the New UAE Labor Law, Corporate Update, December 2021

Saudi Arabia's New Franchise Law; A Summary of What You Need to Know, September 2020

Saudi Arabian Labor Law; Explanatory Memorandum to Address COVID-19 Pandemic, Client Update, 7 May 2020

Saudi Arabia Updates Corporate Requirements for Closed Joint Stock Companies - Requires Submission of Shareholder Registers Within One Month, Corporate Update, March 2020

The UAE's New Offset Program Guidelines - Ten Things You Should Know, Corporate Update, July 2019

Data Protection and Patient Confidentiality Considerations for HealthTech Companies in the UAE, Corporate Update, April 2019

Personal

Education: St. Louis University School of Law, Juris Doctor (1994, cum laude). Staff Member, St. Louis University Public Law Review. University of Notre Dame, Bachelor of Business Administration (1991, with honors).

Professional Mottos: Be practical, responsive, and concise. Clients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Interests: Family, friends, and clients. College football and playing sports, particularly padel tennis, golf, and squash. Yoga, hiking, and fishing. Travel. F&B. Sports, news, and entertainment podcasts. Listening to: The Grateful Dead. Watching: The Office, Big Bang Theory, Seinfeld, Christopher Guest movies, Shawshank Redemption, Glengarry Glen Ross, Goodfellas, Jerry McGuire, and most classic comedies.

Likes: Grammar, the Oxford comma, and two spaces after a period.

Dislikes: Timesheets, dieting, and social media.