Addleshaw Goddard, a leading international law firm, has made a significant move to deepen its Middle East footprint by opening a new office in Abu Dhabi. Located in the prestigious Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), this strategic expansion marks a milestone in the firm’s long-term commitment to the Gulf region, positioning it to better serve key markets in the United Arab Emirates and beyond.
The launch of the Abu Dhabi office adds to Addleshaw Goddard’s growing presence across the Middle East, complementing its existing offices in Dubai, Doha, Muscat, and Riyadh. This calculated expansion is more than just geographical—it’s a clear signal of the firm’s confidence in the region’s economic trajectory and its intent to be a long-term legal partner to regional and global businesses.
Why Abu Dhabi? The Strategic Case
Abu Dhabi is not just the capital of the UAE—it is one of the fastest-growing financial and investment hubs in the world. Over the past decade, ADGM has positioned itself as a global financial centre that rivals Dubai’s DIFC, offering a robust, English common law legal system, progressive regulations, and a forward-thinking approach to global finance.
Establishing a presence here enables Addleshaw Goddard to plug directly into the city’s vast network of sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, government entities, and private sector innovators. With a strong pipeline of infrastructure, energy transition, fintech, and real estate developments, Abu Dhabi presents abundant opportunities for legal advisors with global experience and local insight.
Momentum in the Middle East
The Abu Dhabi launch follows a remarkable period of growth for Addleshaw Goddard across the Middle East. The firm has seen strong demand for legal services in banking, finance, corporate transactions, and dispute resolution. Over the past few years, it has steadily built a powerhouse team of lawyers in the region, with significant growth in Dubai and a successful launch in Riyadh.
The expansion reflects more than an opportunistic move—it is part of a carefully mapped strategy to deliver market-leading legal services across the GCC. The firm’s Middle East team now comprises more than 100 professionals, including over two dozen partners who bring sector-specific expertise across energy, finance, construction, employment, and technology.
With Abu Dhabi now on the map, the firm is positioned to offer seamless legal support across key Middle East economies, further enhancing its capabilities in both contentious and non-contentious matters.
The ADGM Advantage
Abu Dhabi Global Market is the ideal environment for an international law firm seeking to support clients with cross-border ambitions. Its common law framework—distinct from the civil law systems used elsewhere in the UAE—gives comfort to global investors and institutions accustomed to international legal standards.
Addleshaw Goddard’s presence in ADGM gives clients direct access to regulatory advisory, dispute resolution, and transactional support without the need to engage external jurisdictions. This makes it easier for companies operating within ADGM to move with speed and confidence, knowing that their legal matters are being handled by experts who understand both international and local dynamics.
The office will cater to a diverse clientele, including financial institutions, investment firms, state-owned enterprises, startups, and multinational corporations.
Delivering Value Across Sectors
One of Addleshaw Goddard’s distinguishing strengths is its cross-sector experience. In the Middle East, the firm has been involved in high-profile mandates ranging from public-private partnerships to complex M&A deals and project finance in sectors like energy, infrastructure, and construction.
With Abu Dhabi’s increasing focus on diversifying its economy—particularly in sectors like clean energy, fintech, logistics, and real estate—the demand for high-quality legal counsel is rapidly expanding. Addleshaw Goddard is well-positioned to meet this demand, offering legal services that are tailored, commercially astute, and grounded in international best practices.
The firm is also expected to play a key role in supporting the UAE’s ESG agenda, advising clients on sustainability-linked financing, regulatory compliance, and environmental risk management.
A Human-Centred Leadership Approach
The leadership behind the expansion reflects a strategic, human-centred approach. The firm’s regional leaders have consistently emphasised building long-term relationships with clients rather than transactional engagements. This ethos has shaped the culture of the firm’s Middle East offices, which blend international expertise with deep local understanding.
This expansion is not simply about size—it’s about building trust. The people driving Addleshaw Goddard’s growth are deeply invested in the region. From senior partners to newly appointed associates, the Abu Dhabi office represents a community of professionals committed to excellence, integrity, and collaboration.
The firm is also committed to investing in local talent, providing development opportunities for lawyers across the UAE and wider region. Its people-first approach ensures that clients receive consistent, personalised service at every touchpoint.
Strengthening Regional Synergies
The Abu Dhabi office is more than a standalone location—it is a powerful node in Addleshaw Goddard’s broader Middle East strategy. By adding Abu Dhabi to its existing regional footprint, the firm is creating a tightly integrated network of offices that work together seamlessly.
In the UAE, the combination of Dubai and Abu Dhabi enables comprehensive coverage for clients across commercial hubs, government entities, and industrial sectors. This “dual-engine” approach supports clients in navigating both DIFC and ADGM jurisdictions, two of the region’s most prominent legal and financial platforms.
Across the GCC, the firm’s presence in Riyadh, Doha, and Muscat means that clients can access top-tier legal advice that is coordinated, consistent, and deeply rooted in local law. Whether it’s cross-border M&A, infrastructure financing, or employment law, the firm offers a cohesive and responsive service model.
What Clients Can Expect
For clients, the Abu Dhabi office unlocks faster, more reliable access to legal support in one of the region’s most dynamic markets. It also enables greater agility, especially for projects that require quick turnaround and close coordination with local regulators or government authorities.
Clients can expect:
- Personalised legal counsel tailored to their sector and jurisdiction
- Access to multi-disciplinary teams covering corporate, finance, litigation, and regulatory matters
- A consistent level of service across all AG offices, supported by shared systems and collaborative teams
- Strong alignment with Abu Dhabi’s economic vision and investment climate
This client-centric approach is designed to provide more than just legal solutions—it aims to foster long-term partnerships that drive sustainable success.
Vision for the Future
Addleshaw Goddard is not done expanding. The firm has signalled its ambition to double the size of its Middle East practice within the next five years. This includes growth in headcount, service lines, and client base, all anchored by a strong culture of innovation and delivery.
Looking ahead, the Abu Dhabi office is expected to become a centre of excellence for key practice areas, particularly financial services, capital markets, ESG, and sovereign advisory. With the global legal landscape shifting rapidly, the firm’s proactive investment in regional infrastructure ensures it remains ahead of client needs and market demands.
Abu Dhabi is set to play an even bigger role in the global economy in the years ahead, and Addleshaw Goddard intends to be right there alongside its clients—helping them navigate, lead, and thrive.
Final Word
Addleshaw Goddard’s expansion into Abu Dhabi is more than a headline—it’s a vision realised. It reflects a firm that listens to its clients, anticipates market shifts, and commits to building on-the-ground relationships that matter.
The new office is a testament to Addleshaw Goddard’s enduring belief in the Middle East’s potential, the UAE’s economic dynamism, and Abu Dhabi’s role as a catalyst for regional progress. It is a story of strategic foresight, human capital, and above all—confidence in what’s to come.
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