Technology

What the team does

The tech team in our Dubai office is a new team, started in March 2018. From the Dubai office, the tech practice crosses all Middle East jurisdictions and includes Africa.

This new team is headed by director Tony Fielding, with senior associate Alexandre Brazeau and further junior support from a paralegal and a paralegal administrator. We work closely with the wider Gowling WLG global tech teams in the UK, Germany, Asia and Europe to deliver innovative, solution-driven robust legal advice in a region that is adopting technology and innovation at an unprecedented speed.

As the UAE implements its National Innovation Strategy, we are witnessing a surge in convergence, disruption and technological development. With high levels of digital consumption and a push towards a smarter, more efficient and seamless society, the UAE is embracing rapid growth and deployment in the tech space. All this transformation and change is revealing new and exciting opportunities but also complex challenges and risks for businesses.

We work closely with tech innovators, telecoms operators, media and digital organisations, IT service providers and disruptors in the Middle East's technology ecosystem. We advise multinational tech companies, start-ups, incubators and government and public entities on all things tech and communications.

We provide clients with a truly joined-up, cross-border service by combining expertise from across our international offices with our tech team in Dubai which are in tune with the demands of the tech landscape in the Middle East.

It is an exciting time to be a tech lawyer in the Middle East as the region adopts disruptive technologies such as drones, smart cities, artificial intelligence, open data sharing platforms and autonomous vehicle technology. We are excited to see what the next big thing will be that is adopted in this innovative, well-funded and future-looking region.

Our growing client base and the rate of adoption for innovation means our tech practice is only going to expand. Both Tony and Alexandre have worked internationally and in and out of the Middle East for years and we are passionate about building a first rate, internationally renowned Middle East tech practice.

What it's like to work with us

Internationally and across many offices, Gowling WLG has one of the best and highly regarded technology practices, complemented by their exceptional international IP team.

By joining our Dubai tech team, you will be working in an exciting, fast-paced technology sector here in the Middle East, in a truly international environment, working on cutting-edge technology projects, with internationally-recognised tech players who have a vision to transform the Middle East into a tech hub and smart region.

There is never a day here in the Middle East without a new innovation or exciting project to transform the lives of people in the region. Working with us, you can be a part of that. Not only will you have the opportunity to develop your technical legal skills and drafting, the tech team actively encourages team members to participate in business development with clients and take responsibility for the strategic direction of the technology practice. We will support your business development initiatives and we will help you develop your professional reputation.

Our team focuses on technical legal proficiency together with essential commercial understanding and application to reflect client needs and a high degree of cultural awareness. We hold regular training sessions on all manner of tech issues and challenges, both internal and client facing and encourage all lawyers to participate in such events and training.