TMT | Global

A&O Shearman is a global powerhouse with a strong TMT practice in the UAE. The firm serves an impressive list of technology and telecoms clients and is well versed in overseeing the drafting of commercial agreements, including outsourcing contracts. The team is very strong on transactional TMT work, assisting major clients with key strategic acquisitions and disposals. It also advises on e-commerce, data protection and telecoms regulatory matters. It is notably commended for its fintech practice and has advised on payment services regulations. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

DLA Piper brings substantial experience, handling both contentious and non-contentious issues across the TMT spectrum. The firm is often sought out for high-profile projects of national and international importance. IT remains a source of many of the team's most impressive clients, who range from management consultancies to airlines, and the team possesses significant experience assisting IT companies with contract drafting. The firm's telecoms clients include major names from the UAE and beyond. DLA Piper's work includes the structuring of acquisitions, outsourcing contracts and data protection advice, and the firm is increasingly active on digital transformation projects.

Latham & Watkins has a widely acclaimed fintech practice in Dubai which acts for well-established financial institutions in addition to emergent e-commerce companies. The firm advises on a range of IT-related commercial contracts as well as high-value M&A transactions involving technology and telecoms companies. Its transactional work also includes matters in the venture capital space. Latham's lawyers are well versed in regulatory compliance programmes and digital transformation initiatives.

Al Tamimi is a leading Middle Eastern law firm with a strong TMT team in the UAE. The group acts on a number of e-payment matters, with complementary expertise in privacy and data protection. The firm also offers significant telecoms regulatory know-how and has further experience in media, representing global streaming platforms.

CMS has a compact TMT team in Dubai which is well regarded by its peers in the market. The department handles a variety of IT procurement, cloud computing and data privacy matters on behalf of numerous commercial clients, including real estate developers, financial institutions and e-commerce platforms. The firm also has experience counselling media and tech companies on high-profile product launches, as well as advising global brands on promotional initiatives in the UAE.

Addleshaw Goddard has invested significant resources in the TMT field of late, following recent lateral hires. The newly expanded team has experience in data protection, advising various notable businesses on their obligations in this regard. It is also well placed to assist clients who are victims of ransomware attacks. The firm's corporate team is well versed in joint ventures, spin-offs and acquisitions occurring in the tech and telecoms sectors.

Baker McKenzie is well versed in corporate and commercial matters arising within the technology sector. It regularly assists startups with venture capital investments, and is equally capable when it comes to advising on joint ventures. The firm advises numerous clients on compliance with data protection regulations, and has further experience concerning the establishment or sale of data centres. It regularly coordinates its work alongside Baker teams located in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt.

Bird & Bird's UAE offices are well positioned to leverage the firm's global strengths in IP and TMT. The firm has experience acting for several major tech and fintech names on issues relating to data privacy, cloud computing and AI. The firm's regional dispute resolution group is also well positioned to assist clients with disputes arising in the technology and media sectors.

Hadef & Partners is an independent Emirati law firm with offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its international team of lawyers serves a number of notable regional and global companies in the tech space, providing frequent guidance on licensing, the establishment of joint ventures and other commercial matters, as well as their data protection implications. The firm's transactional work is complemented by strengths in regulatory matters.

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem is a Dubai-headquartered law firm with offices across the Middle East. Its compact TMT group advises local and international clients on a broad range of issues including data protection and data privacy matters. The team has experience concerning the launch of new fintech products and e-commerce platforms, and has a depth of knowledge in the region's regulatory landscape.