Gowling WLG is pleased to welcome Tamara El-Shibib to its Dubai Intellectual Property team. Tamara's arrival adds a technology and research patent specialisation to the award winning team, which will further enhance patent and technology transfer services offered through the MENA region.

Tamara specialises in Patent Law, Technology Market Analysis, Technology Transfer and IP Commercialisation. Her career has seen her at the forefront of developing IP management and technology transfer practices in the Middle East.

Before joining Gowling WLG Tamara was with the Qatar Foundation for seven years, and helped to establish its IP & technology transfer office, prior to that, she spent four years with a Dubai-based IP firm assisting UAE government entities and startups in managing their IP assets. Her significant experience in this field is unique to the region and is directly relevant to Gowling WLG's client base.

Jon Parker, Head of Intellectual Property (Dubai) said "Tamara is a key addition to our UAE based team, as well as welcoming her to the global patent team at Gowling WLG. She provides us with on the ground patent and technology transfer expertise. She, and our local clients, will be supported by an unrivalled global patent team, which has technical expertise across all areas of innovation. Tamara will also take responsibility for our existing MENA patent prosecution practice, which has seen significant year on year growth since the practice was established in 2016, I am delighted that Tamara is joining us."

Tim Casben the Dubai Office Managing Partner said "Tamara's expertise and skillset is a great addition to our highly reputed IP team in Dubai. Jon has built a great team with the practice going from strength to strength, the team have been recognised as a 'Middle East Firm to Watch' and most recently were awarded 'UAE Prosecution Team of the Year' by the Managing Intellectual Property Middle East Awards 2021.

In addition, Tamara compliments the firm's technology, corporate and commercial teams. The corporate team is regularly advising on investments, joint ventures and M&A where ownership of the IP and technology is fundamental to the transaction and having the depth of expertise is key to meeting the client's objectives."

Gowling WLG's UAE team is recommended in IAM's "Patent 1000" for the UAE. Both Jon and Tamara are also ranked individuals in IAM's "Patent 1000" with the editorial of that publication praising Tamara in saying "The combination of El-Shibib's legal knowledge, business sense and understanding is impressive. She is the ideal partner for start-ups and innovators". Gowling WLG is one of only 26 firms to be ranked for multiple jurisdictions in IAM Patent 1000, 2021.