DWF continues Middle East expansion with swoop on Clyde
Global insurance-focused law firm DWF has expanded its Middle East insurance team with a new partner hire from Clyde & Co alongside two construction dispute resolution specialists as part of its growth strategy in the region.
Adam Pryor ([pictured left) joins DWF's Global Risks Team from Clyde & Co, having worked at the firm since 2015. DWF currently boasts offices in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and Pryor will be based in DWF's Dubai office.
Having trained and practised in London before transferring to the Middle East in 2017, he has knowledge of both the London Insurance Market and Middle Eastern laws and business practices. Specialising in financial lines, construction insurance and professional liability, Pryor has been involved in high value litigation in the DIFC and ADGM Courts, and international arbitration.
Pryor's appointment closely follows those of insurance partners Victoria Clucas and Bill Evans, who joined DWF's Dubai office from Kennedys earlier this year, creating a team of four insurance partners in Dubai, which also includes Brian Boahene.
Additionally, DWF has appointed dispute resolution partners Paul Suckling (pictured far right) and Oliver Dupenois (pictured middle) to its team in Dubai. They both specialise in construction with a focus on high value and complex arbitration disputes.
Suckling has been active in the construction industry for over 30 years, with a focus in the last 20 years in the Gulf region working at several high-profile law firms and having held an in-house position and is dual-qualified as a quantity surveyor and solicitor.
Dupenois has practised as a construction disputes lawyer for the last 11 years in Dubai. Whilst having experience running high value disputes across many arbitration forums (including DIAC, ADCCAC, ICC and on an ad-hoc basis), he is also skilled in front-end construction matters, with his capability extending to dealing with bespoke drafting and contract negotiations.
These additions closely follow the appointments of insurance partners Victoria Clucas and Bill Evans, who joined DWF's Dubai office from Kennedys earlier this year.
David Abbott, leader of DWF's Global Risks Team, commented: "The Middle East is a strategically important region for our Global Risks Team given the connectivity of that region to other major insurance hubs, including Singapore, Africa and London. We are absolutely delighted to be investing further in the Middle East with the addition of Adam, which will allow us to provide our local and global clients with interests in the region, with a complete insurance offering across specialty insurance lines."
James Fox, managing partner of DWF's Dubai office, added: "Adam is a tremendous talent and we’re really pleased he's chosen to join us as we strengthen our already robust team in Dubai. His expertise in the London and Middle East insurance markets is well suited to bolster our global offering to clients."
"DWF is getting two incredible partners in Paul and Oliver. Their expertise, largely in the construction sector, will complement what we already offer clients in Dubai, giving them a complete package to meet their ever-evolving needs."
Stefan Paciorek, global head of dispute resolution said: "Middle East expansion is a large part of our growth plan for the Dispute Resolution team, and Paul and Oliver bring a wealth of experience that enhances our expanding international construction and infrastructure practice."
Pryor commented: "DWF has made a significant commitment to the Middle East region, and I am thrilled to be a part of its global expansion. There are great opportunities in the Middle East insurance markets and I look forward to helping DWF continue to build on its industry leading global insurance platform."
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