Dentons’ predecessor firm Fox & Gibbons was the first international law firm to establish a presence in the UAE with its office in Abu Dhabi in 1968, followed by its Dubai office in 1969. The Firm has subsequently been involved in key developments in the UAE’s history from advising the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and helping to draft the treaty that united the Emirates in 1971. Other major projects which Dentons was involved in include advising on the establishment of the Hilton Al Ain, which is one of the Emirates’ oldest hotels; the construction of the Dubai World Trade Centre, which was the first sky scraper in the Arab World; and, the construction of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Dentons also acted for Emirates Airlines on its establishment in 1985.
Paul Jarvis, Dentons’ Managing Partner for the Middle East, said, “Building a nation all begins with having a vision. As we look back 50 years, we can admire how far the United Arab Emirates has come and be proud of the part Dentons has played in its success through many of its key milestones. As a law firm, we are also forward looking and already we see the pillars and foundation for a thriving nation being set in place for the next 50 years and beyond.”