DLA Piper opens in Dubai with top appointment

The office, DLA Piper's first in the Gulf, marks an important step in its plans for international development and will provide a base from which it will expand its existing Middle Eastern relationships.

DLA Piper's first key management appointment to the office is Jayshree Gupta, a corporate, commercial and technology specialist who has worked in Dubai for over 10 years. Jayshree was formerly head of corporate and commercial in the Dubai office of Denton Wilde Sapte and also coordinated the technology, media and telecoms practice for the Middle East.

Jayshree specialises in corporate and commercial law, particularly in the technology, media and telecommunications sector and advises Middle Eastern and international business on joint ventures, franchise agreements, trademark and licence agreements, outsourcing, contracts and a wide range of other corporate and commercial matters.

The Dubai office, which formally opens in the New Year, will provide a range of commercial legal advice, drawing on the wider resources of the organisation in addition to those locally. The office will initially focus on corporate and commercial, technology, media and communications, projects, real estate and litigation but will look to build a full service capability in line with other DLA Piper offices as it develops. DLA Piper is actively recruiting other lawyers to join the office and further partner appointments are expected to be announced shortly.

International Development Partner, David Church, who has spearheaded DLA Piper's entry into new markets over the past 6 years is relocating to Dubai to oversee the building of the office and to develop the organisations capabilities in the region.

David said:

"This is a very exciting move for us as it marks our entry into the Middle East, which is a market with huge potential. I am delighted that Jayshree has joined the team. She is a very talented lawyer with a vast amount of experience in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East, which will be extremely valuable."

Jayshree Gupta said: "I am really looking forward to working with David in order to developing the Dubai office. DLA Piper is ambitious, progressive and has an excellent reputation. I am excited about my new role and look forward to being able to use my skills and expertise to help build an office which is able to support clients needs in this region."