A company negotiating a distribution agreement needs different advice from a shareholder preparing for arbitration. A technology business buying software needs different contract protections from an investor acquiring an established company.

This guide profiles 20 individual commercial lawyers with Dubai practices, explains their published areas of expertise, and suggests questions to ask before appointing counsel. If you are evaluating full-service firms rather than individual practitioners, our Top 10 Law Firms in Dubai guide is a useful companion piece.

About this list: "Top 20" describes an editorial shortlist, not an official ranking, government endorsement or guarantee of results. The lawyers appear alphabetically by first name; the numbers are for navigation, not comparative scores.

What Does a Commercial Lawyer Do?

For this guide, commercial legal work covers three connected areas: business contracts, corporate transactions and business disputes. These areas overlap, but they should not be treated as interchangeable.

The distinction also appears in professional directories. Chambers separates major corporate acquisitions from commercial-contract work such as distribution, supply, licensing and agency agreements. That is why the profiles below identify each lawyer's particular focus rather than applying the same "commercial expert" label to everyone. (Chambers)

How These Commercial Lawyers Were Selected

The selection considers identifiable Dubai practice connections and documented individual experience relevant to commercial clients. Sources include current law-firm biographies and individual profiles published by Legal 500.

Where a directory hosts a biography supplied by a firm, that biography is treated as the firm's description - not an independent assessment of every statement it contains. Firm-wide rankings have not been attributed automatically to individual lawyers.

This research did not include client interviews, fee quotations, confidential case reviews or an individual regulatory-registration audit. The suggested use cases are editorial assessments based on the cited practice information. Confirm current availability, registration, conflicts and engagement terms directly before instructing anyone.

Top 20 Commercial Lawyers in Dubai: Comparison Table

No. Lawyer Firm Published practice focus
1 Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates and Legal Consultants Real estate & construction, banking & financial law, commercial law, criminal litigation, employment, IP, personal status and will registration, informed by 27+ years including service as a Dubai Court of Cassation judge. (Ahli Law)
2 Alexander Hendry Baker Botts Technology transactions, intellectual property licensing, outsourcing and commercial agreements. (Baker Botts)
3 Andrew Mackenzie DLA Piper Commercial litigation, arbitration, shareholder disputes and asset recovery. (DLA Piper)
4 Bashir Ahmed Afridi & Angell Corporate and commercial advice, acquisitions, banking and maritime matters. (Afridi & Angell)
5 Benjamin Smith Clyde & Co Market entry, corporate structuring, commercial operations and regulatory advice. (Clyde & Co)
6 Charles Laubach Afridi & Angell Commercial contracts, procurement, corporate advice and project finance. (Afridi & Angell)
7 Diana Froyland Hadef & Partners Commercial contracts, outsourcing, technology procurement, distribution and data protection. (Hadef & Partners)
8 Hani Naja Baker McKenzie Commercial arrangements, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and market entry. (Baker McKenzie)
9 Dr. Hassan Arab Al Tamimi & Company Commercial litigation, arbitration and enforcement of judgments and awards. (Al Tamimi & Company)
10 Izabella Szadkowska Al Tamimi & Company Corporate structuring, foreign investment, reorganisations and family-business matters. (Al Tamimi & Company)
11 Laya Aoun-Hani Baker McKenzie Distribution, commercial agencies, trade compliance and commercial settlements. (Baker McKenzie)
12 Maher Al Nashar Charles Russell Speechlys Commercial disputes, debt recovery and enforcement of judgments and awards. (charlesrussellspeechlys.com)
13 Mark Bisch Baker Botts Commercial transactions, joint ventures, agency, franchising and procurement. (Legal 500)
14 Melissa Murray Bird & Bird Franchising, distribution, supply agreements and intellectual property licensing. (Bird & Bird)
15 Pervez Akhtar Freshfields Mergers and acquisitions, private equity and joint ventures. (Freshfields)
16 Rami Zayat DLA Piper Commercial and technology agreements, outsourcing and corporate transactions. (DLA Piper)
17 Samer Qudah Al Tamimi & Company Business structuring, acquisitions, joint ventures and commercial agreements. (Al Tamimi & Company)
18 Stuart Paterson Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Shareholder, joint-venture, agency, distribution and financial-services disputes. (hsfkramer.com)
19 Victoria Woods Hadef & Partners Commercial contracts, distribution, franchising, e-commerce and brand protection. (Hadef & Partners)
20 Walid Azzam Hadef & Partners Commercial litigation and arbitration, banking disputes, insolvency and asset recovery. (Hadef & Partners)

The shortlist includes practitioners with wider regional responsibilities. It should not be read as confirmation that every person works exclusively in Dubai or accepts every category or size of instruction.

1. Ahmad Abdulla Ahli - Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates and Legal Consultants

Consider Ahmad Abdulla Ahli for: Commercial disputes where litigation strategy informed by direct judicial experience matters, alongside a broad general commercial-law practice.

Ahmad Abdulla Ahli has spent more than 27 years in the UAE legal field. He served as a Senior Judge at the Dubai Court of Cassation from 2016 to 2022, having previously chaired the Real Estate Court (2009-2012) and the Labor Court (2008-2009). Before his judicial and legal career he served six years as a Dubai Police Lieutenant. He is a Law Graduate of the Dubai Police Academy (1993), holds a Judicial Institute Diploma (1995), and is licensed to appear in all UAE courts. (Ahli Law)

Since 2023 he has led Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates and Legal Consultants, a practice covering real estate and construction law, banking and financial law, commercial law, criminal litigation, employment law, intellectual property law, personal status law and will registration, and serving clients in English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu. (Ahli Law)

Consider him when a commercial dispute may end up before the courts and the client wants counsel who has previously sat as a judge on the bench that would hear an appeal, or when a matter crosses several of his practice areas at once.

Ask: "How would your judicial background shape the strategy for a contested commercial matter headed toward court?"

2. Alexander Hendry - Baker Botts

Consider Alexander Hendry for: Technology-intensive commercial agreements.

Alexander Hendry is a partner and head of Baker Botts' Middle East technology practice. His published experience includes technology, intellectual property and data agreements, outsourcing, strategic collaborations and joint ventures. His work also encompasses artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and enterprise technology transactions. (Baker Botts)

Consider him when your commercial agreement depends heavily on software, data access, licensing or the development of new technology. Make the consultation specific: explain what the business must retain if the supplier relationship ends.

Ask: "How should this agreement address ownership, permitted data use, service failure and transition to another provider?"

3. Andrew Mackenzie - DLA Piper

Consider Andrew Mackenzie for: Complex commercial arbitration and litigation.

Andrew Mackenzie is a partner and DLA Piper's head of litigation, arbitration and regulatory work in the Middle East. His profile lists Dubai and Abu Dhabi and describes experience in shareholder disputes, financial-services matters, technology disputes and cross-border asset recovery. (DLA Piper)

Consider him for a contested commercial matter, particularly where the dispute involves several jurisdictions or where enforcement needs attention from the outset. Use the first discussion to test both the proposed legal strategy and its commercial purpose. For a wider view of how these matters are run, see our guide on UAE litigation and arbitration strategy.

Ask: "What would the strategy be for obtaining - and actually recovering - the remedy we need?"

4. Bashir Ahmed - Afridi & Angell

Consider Bashir Ahmed for: Transactions combining commercial, financing and operational issues.

Bashir Ahmed is Afridi & Angell's managing partner. His biography describes experience in acquisitions and divestments, general corporate and commercial work, private equity, banking, licensing and maritime matters. His transactional work includes due diligence, deal structuring and drafting acquisition agreements. (Afridi & Angell)

Consider him when a business transaction needs coordination between the purchase agreement, financing arrangements and the company's ongoing operations. For a purchase or investment, ask the proposed team to identify the issues that could change the price, structure or decision to proceed.

Ask: "Which due-diligence findings would materially change the transaction terms or our willingness to complete?"

5. Benjamin Smith - Clyde & Co

Consider Benjamin Smith for: Market entry and ongoing commercial operations.

Benjamin Smith, also known as Ben Smith, is a partner in Clyde & Co's Dubai office. His published practice includes foreign investment, market entry, corporate structuring, reorganisations, licensing and the regulatory aspects of operating businesses across the Middle East. (Clyde & Co)

Consider him when your business needs more than incorporation documents - for example, a coordinated approach to its operating structure, commercial relationships and regulatory requirements. Prepare an explanation of how products, services, money and contractual responsibilities will move through the proposed business.

Ask: "What must be addressed before the business can operate as planned - not simply before its entity is incorporated?"

6. Charles Laubach - Afridi & Angell

Consider Charles Laubach for: Commercial contracts and procurement arrangements.

Charles Laubach is a partner at Afridi & Angell. His biography identifies general corporate work, commercial contracts, procurement, project finance, employment and international trade compliance among his practice areas. (Afridi & Angell)

Consider him for a commercial arrangement that must fit within a wider operating or financing structure. For procurement work, focus the discussion on what happens when performance falls short - a useful review should address practical consequences, not only identify drafting defects.

Ask: "How would the contract respond to delayed delivery, defective performance, payment disagreement or the need to replace the supplier?"

7. Diana Froyland - Hadef & Partners

Consider Diana Froyland for: Technology procurement and operational contracting.

Diana Froyland is senior counsel in Hadef & Partners' commercial practice. Her published experience covers business and consumer contracts, outsourcing, supply arrangements, e-commerce, distribution, franchising, agency and data protection. Her background includes an in-house legal leadership role focused on procurement and technology. (Hadef & Partners)

Consider her for contracts that your procurement, technology or operations teams will need to manage after signing. Bring the proposed service description and operational requirements alongside the legal draft.

Ask: "Do the service levels, acceptance tests, change-control process and exit provisions reflect how our business will actually use this service?"

8. Hani Naja - Baker McKenzie

Consider Hani Naja for: Commercial arrangements linked to corporate change.

Hani Naja is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Dubai office. His biography describes work on joint ventures, reorganisations, carve-outs, post-acquisition integration, corporate structuring and market entry, alongside commercial agency, distribution and governance matters. (Baker McKenzie)

Consider him when a commercial project is connected to a change in ownership, operating structure or regional business model. For a restructuring, ask how existing contracts will be dealt with rather than treating the new organisational chart as the entire assignment.

Ask: "Which customer, supplier or distribution arrangements need review before we implement the proposed structure?"

9. Dr. Hassan Arab - Al Tamimi & Company

Consider Dr. Hassan Arab for: Commercial litigation, arbitration and enforcement.

Dr. Hassan Arab is a partner and regional head of dispute resolution at Al Tamimi & Company, with a published DIFC office location. His practice covers civil and commercial litigation, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. (Al Tamimi & Company)

Consider him when your business needs a dispute strategy that addresses both proceedings and the steps that may follow a judgment or award. Separate the outcome you would prefer from the minimum commercially acceptable resolution. Where an appeal or enforcement route may reach the country's highest courts, our guide to Dubai Cassation and Supreme Court lawyers is a useful companion.

Ask: "Which procedural route would you recommend, and how would settlement and enforcement fit into that strategy?"

10. Izabella Szadkowska - Al Tamimi & Company

Consider Izabella Szadkowska for: Corporate structuring and family-business reorganisations.

Izabella Szadkowska is a partner in Al Tamimi & Company's corporate team, based in its DIFC office. Her published practice includes foreign investment, cross-border corporate structures, business formation, reorganisations and transactions for multinational groups, regional businesses and family-business clients. (Al Tamimi & Company)

Consider her when the commercial issue concerns who should own the business, how entities should interact or how a group should be reorganised. Be clear about the operational objective as well as the proposed legal structure.

Ask: "How will this structure affect control, decision-making, commercial contracts and a future investment or exit?"

11. Laya Aoun-Hani - Baker McKenzie

Consider Laya Aoun-Hani for: Distribution networks and commercial agency arrangements.

Laya Aoun-Hani is a Dubai-based partner in Baker McKenzie's international commercial and trade practice. Her biography covers distribution and agency arrangements, commercial transactions, competition, customs and trade compliance. Her published experience includes restructuring distribution relationships and negotiating commercial settlements. (Baker McKenzie)

Consider her when appointing, replacing or renegotiating arrangements with distributors or agents, particularly across several markets. Explain the entire supply chain rather than providing only the proposed distribution agreement.

Ask: "What contractual and regulatory issues should we resolve before changing the existing distribution model?"

12. Maher Al Nashar - Charles Russell Speechlys

Consider Maher Al Nashar for: Commercial claims, debt recovery and enforcement.

Maher Al Nashar is a partner in Charles Russell Speechlys' Dubai litigation and dispute-resolution practice. His published experience includes commercial matters, debt recovery, cross-border disputes, and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards. His biography expressly describes representation in local and federal courts through local lawyers. (charlesrussellspeechlys.com)

Consider him when a business claim requires coordinated advice across litigation, local representation and recovery. Clarify how those responsibilities would be divided before agreeing the engagement.

Ask: "Who will advise on strategy, who will handle court appearances, and who will manage the recovery process?"

13. Mark Bisch - Baker Botts

Consider Mark Bisch for: Commercial transactions and joint ventures.

Mark Bisch is a partner at Baker Botts. His published profile identifies experience in corporate and commercial transactions, joint ventures, commercial agency and franchising arrangements, procurement, governance and regulatory matters. His individual directory biography identifies a Dubai office leadership role. (Legal 500)

Consider him when a commercial partnership requires careful allocation of control, responsibilities, intellectual property and economic benefits. For a joint venture, discuss disagreement and exit before becoming absorbed in the initial business plan.

Ask: "How would the proposed arrangements address deadlock, underperformance, changes of control and an eventual separation?"

14. Melissa Murray - Bird & Bird

Consider Melissa Murray for: Franchising and brand-based commercial expansion.

Melissa Murray is a partner at Bird & Bird, its head of country for the UAE, and a global co-head of franchising. Her published practice includes franchising, distribution and supply agreements, commercial matters and intellectual property licensing. (Bird & Bird)

Consider her for expansion involving a brand, franchise network or licensed business model. Use the consultation to connect the proposed legal documents with the standards the business needs to maintain.

Ask: "How should the agreement protect brand standards while dealing practically with territory, online sales, performance and termination?"

15. Pervez Akhtar - Freshfields

Consider Pervez Akhtar for: Significant acquisitions, private equity and joint ventures.

Pervez Akhtar is a Dubai-based partner in Freshfields' global mergers and acquisitions practice. His published focus includes private equity, acquisitions and joint ventures across sectors such as financial services, logistics, consumer goods, healthcare, education and telecommunications. (Freshfields)

His inclusion relates principally to substantial corporate transactions rather than routine contract review. Consider him when the commercial objective involves buying, selling or investing in a business and requires coordination across jurisdictions.

Ask: "How would the proposed transaction documents allocate the main business risks, and what would need to happen before completion?"

16. Rami Zayat - DLA Piper

Consider Rami Zayat for: Commercial agreements with a technology component.

Rami Zayat is a partner in DLA Piper's Dubai office. His biography describes local and cross-border commercial work, technology and services agreements, intellectual property, corporate transactions and mergers and acquisitions. His experience includes major outsourcing and managed-services projects. (DLA Piper)

Consider him when technology procurement, commercial rights and a broader business transaction need to be addressed together. For an outsourcing project, provide information about business continuity and dependencies - not only the proposed price and term.

Ask: "How should liability, subcontracting, intellectual property, transition assistance and continuity obligations work together?"

17. Samer Qudah - Al Tamimi & Company

Consider Samer Qudah for: Business structuring and commercial implementation.

Samer Qudah is a corporate partner at Al Tamimi & Company with a published DIFC office location. His experience includes structuring and restructuring businesses, acquisitions, due diligence, joint ventures, commercial agreements and agency-related matters. His biography identifies work for both major organisations and smaller businesses. (Al Tamimi & Company)

Consider him when a business expansion or restructuring requires the legal entities and commercial arrangements to be planned together. Ask for an implementation plan rather than a structure diagram alone.

Ask: "Which approvals, contracts and implementation steps are needed to put this proposal into operation?"

18. Stuart Paterson - Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

Consider Stuart Paterson for: Shareholder, joint-venture and financial-services disputes.

Stuart Paterson is Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's managing partner for its Middle East offices and is based in Dubai. His published dispute experience includes shareholder, joint-venture, agency and distribution matters, alongside financial-services and other commercial litigation. (hsfkramer.com)

Consider him when a business relationship has become contentious and the company needs a strategy aligned with its continuing commercial interests. Prepare a clear account of the relationship you would like to preserve - or end. Our related guide on shareholder disputes in the UAE covers the wider legal landscape for these situations.

Ask: "What should we do now to protect our position while keeping commercially acceptable settlement options open?"

19. Victoria Woods - Hadef & Partners

Consider Victoria Woods for: Commercial contracts, distribution and e-commerce.

Victoria Woods is a partner and head of commercial at Hadef & Partners. Her biography identifies experience in supply and services agreements, outsourcing, distribution, franchising, e-commerce, hospitality, intellectual property and brand protection. She has worked in the firm's Dubai office since 2012. (Hadef & Partners)

Consider her when a business needs its contracting arrangements to work across procurement, sales, digital channels and brand use. Bring the commercial team's priorities and negotiation constraints to the first meeting.

Ask: "Which provisions are essential for our business model, and where can we negotiate without undermining those protections?"

20. Walid Azzam - Hadef & Partners

Consider Walid Azzam for: Commercial disputes involving financial or recovery issues.

Walid Azzam is a partner in Hadef & Partners' dispute-resolution practice. His published experience includes commercial litigation and arbitration, banking disputes, insolvency, investigations, asset tracing and recovery across jurisdictions. (Hadef & Partners)

Consider him when the dispute involves not only liability but also the location of assets, financial information or the ability to recover money. Ask the proposed team to distinguish the evidence needed to establish the claim from the information needed to pursue recovery.

Ask: "What evidence and asset information should we prioritise before committing to the proposed proceedings?"

How to Choose the Right Commercial Lawyer in Dubai

Match the lawyer to the assignment

Start with a one-page brief explaining the parties, the commercial objective, the documents involved, the approximate value at stake and any deadline.

Describe the outcome in business terms: "We need a workable distribution arrangement," "We want to acquire this company," or "We need to resolve a shareholder dispute."

Then compare lawyers whose documented practice addresses that assignment. Do not assume that the right person for a major acquisition is automatically the right person for a limited contract-review project.

Verify registration and representation arrangements

The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department maintains a directory of registered advocates and legal consultants, including information about firms licensed by the Department.

Importantly, the Department states that its directory does not identify a practitioner's legal specialisation and is not an endorsement. Registration and relevant expertise therefore require separate checks. For the wider distinction between legal consultants and advocates, see our guide to legal consultants in Dubai. (Legal Affairs Department of Dubai)

For DIFC proceedings, consult the DIFC Courts' practitioner-registration information and rules governing the conduct of proceedings and rights of audience. Do not treat a DIFC office address as proof of permission to appear in a particular case. (DIFC Courts)

Ask for the name of the lawyer responsible for your matter, the contracting firm entity and any additional counsel who would be involved.

Establish who will actually perform the work

Request a proposal identifying the supervising partner, day-to-day contact and expected team structure.

Discuss how instructions will be taken, how documents will be reviewed and how progress will be reported. For a time-sensitive matter, ask about availability before choosing primarily on reputation.

A useful question is: "What will you personally handle, what will be delegated, and how will that affect the budget?"

Agree the scope before comparing fees

This guide did not obtain comparable fee quotations from the featured lawyers.

Request a written proposal for your specific assignment. Ask whether an hourly, fixed-fee, capped-fee or staged arrangement is available and what assumptions support it.

For contract work, clarify whether the scope includes initial review, drafting, negotiations and implementation. For disputes, clarify whether the proposal covers pre-action advice, settlement discussions, proceedings, appeals and enforcement.

Ask separately about taxes and possible additional costs, including translations, experts, filing charges and external counsel. Compare equivalent scopes - not headline amounts.

Follow the firm's intake process for sensitive information

Begin with the minimum information needed for a conflict check and an assessment of urgency. Ask how to provide confidential material securely.

Do not assume that an unsolicited message establishes a lawyer-client relationship. For example, DLA Piper's published disclaimer cautions that unsolicited emails do not create that relationship and may not be treated as confidential. (DLA Piper)

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Lawyers in Dubai

Who is the best commercial lawyer in Dubai in 2026?

This guide does not identify one lawyer as the best for every commercial matter. It compares documented practice areas across contracts, transactions and disputes. Choose a shortlist relevant to the assignment, then assess the proposed team, registration, conflicts, availability and written engagement terms.

Which lawyers should I consider for commercial contract drafting?

Victoria Woods and Charles Laubach are starting points from this list because their published profiles expressly include commercial-contract work. The appropriate choice still depends on the agreement, sector, governing law and scope of the assignment. (Hadef & Partners)

Which lawyers handle distribution and franchise agreements?

Melissa Murray's published practice includes franchising, distribution and intellectual property licensing. Laya Aoun-Hani's experience includes distribution networks and commercial agency arrangements. Their profiles provide useful starting points for different kinds of expansion and distribution projects. (Bird & Bird)

Can a commercial adviser also represent my business in court?

Confirm this for the particular lawyer and forum. Some advisers coordinate representation through other lawyers; Maher Al Nashar's published biography expressly describes that arrangement for local and federal courts. The DIFC Courts maintain separate practitioner-registration requirements concerning proceedings and advocacy. (CRS)

Can a small business approach these lawyers?

Ask the firm whether it accepts an assignment of your type and budget. Request a proportionate scope - for example, a defined contract review or an initial advice stage - rather than assuming a broad retainer is necessary. Do not assume that every featured lawyer offers small-business packages or a free consultation.

What should I prepare for a commercial-law consultation?

Prepare a short chronology, the parties' names, your desired outcome, relevant documents and details of any deadline. For a transaction, explain the commercial structure. For a dispute, identify what has happened and what remedy you seek. Follow the firm's intake instructions before sending sensitive documents.

Final Thoughts

A useful "top commercial lawyers in Dubai" guide should help you make a better-informed selection - not encourage you to hire the first name on the page.

Choose two or three lawyers whose documented experience fits your issue. Give each the same brief and compare the proposed approach, team, scope and costs.

The objective is the right legal support for your business decision: relevant expertise, appropriate permissions, clear communication and a workable engagement plan.

This article provides general information, not legal advice, an endorsement of a particular practitioner or a guarantee of outcomes. Published affiliations, roles, registration and availability should be confirmed before appointment.

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About the Author

Basim Zain Shah - Corporate Legal Professional in Dubai, UAE

Corporate Legal Professional - Dubai, UAE

Basim Zain Shah delivers corporate-focused legal support with a strong emphasis on precision, compliance and business practicality, advising companies and individuals across the UAE mainland and free zones. View full profile →