Al Tamimi & Company has established a preeminent TMT practice in the UAE, and is highly sought after across the gamut of areas by major local and international organisations, as well as public sector entities. The team has an experienced network across the broader Middle East and North Africa, having regularly been instructed by regional governments and regulators on key digital information, fintech, media and e-commerce mandates. Practice head David Yates specialises in advising on data commercialisation and transactions, data protection, privacy and enforcement. Regulatory specialist Andrew Fawcett has led on a number of high-profile digital transformation legislative projects, while senior associate Krishna Jhala has over a decade of transactional and advisory experience.

Clyde & Co LLP’s TMT practice in the UAE ‘takes a 360 degree approach on data privacy and security-related matters’, with the ‘expert’ team regularly handling complex mandates concerning cyber breach response and insurance, fintech, technology disputes and corporate TMT. Masha Ooijevaar ‘is a real business partner’ who ‘understands the industries she operates in.’ Since publication, Ken Wong and Dino Wilkinson left the firm.

DLA Piper continues to operate at the apex of the UAE TMT legal market and is considered a leading firm for data protection and privacy work. The depth of experience is complemented by the breadth of expertise, consistently instructure on high value and complex work across all aspects of technology, fintech, telecoms, media, sports and entertainment. Paul Allen is the firm’s global co-chair of IP and technology and is a trusted advisor to governments, corporates and finance clients from Dubai. Allen is provided substantial support by legal director Rami Zayat, who has particular experience in the delivery of large-scale outsourcing and managed services transactions.

A&O Shearman offers a deep bench of dedicated TMT specialists ‘with excellent project management to keep complex legal projects on track.’ In addition to consistently acting on complex and high profile mandates in the traditional TMT subfields, the practice is also highly active for non-TMT sector clients such as financial institutions, government controlled investment companies and major domestic and international corporates. Practice head Tom Butcher has a strong reputation for his expertise in IP, data protection and commercial matters.

Latham & Watkins LLP offers, according to some, ‘the most pioneering TMT team in the region’, acting for a broad range of clients from early stage start-ups to the world’s largest organisations. In response to the increasing data protection regulations in the UAE and wider Middle East, the practice has continued to invest in and expand its privacy expertise and acts for a number of global tech powerhouses. Practice head Brian Meenagh is considered by major clients to be ‘the best TMT lawyer to tackle large technology infrastructure projects and technology-related disputes’; he is supported by associate Lucy Tucker. Alexander Hendry left the firm.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP offers a ‘phenomenal TMT practice across the region‘, which is ‘clearly across all the developments in emerging technology and the digital landscape.’ This in-depth knowledge of emerging technologies is noted for being particularly broad, encompassing areas such as AI, blockchain, quantum computing and cloud solutions. Raza Rizvi heads the practice and offers vast experience in all aspects of commercial, regulatory and transactional TMT work.

The Bench is a boutique law firm with a core focus on TMT, offering a ‘breadth of expertise across the TMT sector’ that spans key areas such as fintech, e-commerce, data protection and TMT commercial agreements. The practice is led by the experienced team of Joby Beretta, Salio De Souza and Kelly Tymburski, with the latter being particularly well-known for her expertise in regulatory reform and development.

Highly sought after by leading corporates and government entities in the UAE and broader Middle East, White & Case LLP is well versed in complex data, privacy, technology, cyber and fintech matters. Promoted to partner in January 2023, practice head Stefan Mrozinski has established an enviable reputation amongst big tech, large corporates and governmental authorities on cyber, cloud computing and TMT-related M&A transactions. Associate Gabrielle Lowe is well regarded by MENA-based fintech businesses in connection with financial services licensing matters.

Bird & Bird continue to maintain its reputable contentious and non-contentious TMT offering in the UAE, with areas such as media, telecoms, data privacy, fintech and cybersecurity considered key areas of expertise. The team has a strong reputation for privacy and data protection work, regularly providing tailored advice concerning data retention, international data transfers, policy drafting and data protection compliance. Data privacy is also a specialism for associate Nootash Keyhani, as well as technology and digital transformation. David Bintliff left the firm at the end of 2023.

Representing a number of high-profile technology companies, BSA Law’s TMT practice is ‘always at the forefront of the latest innovations and up to date with the key trends in the market.’ Practice head Nadim Bardawil ‘combines his superior legal acumen with a deep knowledge of business’, advising international technology and media entities across MENA on a broad range of transactional and regulatory matters.

The Dubai-based TMT group at Cedar White Bradley IP LLP is ‘extremely attentive and always ready to find a solution that works best for its client’; assisting clients from a broad range of industries navigate the region’s regulatory landscape, including advertising, data protection and music usage. Practice head Cameron Crawford is considered ‘a world leader in media and IP law’, with over a decade of UAE-based experience acting for leading names in technology, publishing, gaming and content streaming.

In addition to a comprehensive telecoms, media and technology offering, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has also built notable expertise in the sports, entertainment, art and luxury sectors. Mark Hill heads the firm’s IP, TMT and commercial practice for the Middle East, acting for a broad range of production houses, film producers, entertainment and media companies. Lara Haidar was promoted to legal director in May 2023, bringing a particular strength in intellectual property protection and enforcement.

CMS’ TMT offering in the UAE continues to act for a diverse range of public and private sector clients, including local conglomerates and regional financial institutions. The practice is noted for the diversity of mandates that it handles, spanning the likes of technology contracting, data protection, crypto, media, and general compliance issues. Specialising in commercial technology projects, practice head Ben Gibson is well versed in complex procurement, development and outsourcing issues. Senior associate Victoria Noto has established a solid reputation for TMT-related commercial and advisory work.

The ‘diverse and collaborative’ team at Eversheds Sutherland LLP is noted for its cross-border capability, as well as its regulatory expertise fostered through well established government relationships. Practice head Nasser Ali Khasawneh is vastly experienced across the spectrum of technology and media law in the UAE; while principal associate Christine Khoury is a  ‘responsive and clear communicator’, especially regarding digital media, telecom regulations and data privacy issues.

The TMT practice at Gowling WLG is ‘unique in the market for the breadth of international expertise’, spanning complex and growing areas such as fintech, cybersecurity, e-commerce, blockchain and AI. Alexandre Brazeau oversees a practice which has also carved out a strong reputation for cross-jurisdictional regulatory work, acting at the forefront of data protection legislation, retail payment licensing and virtual asset regulations. The offering is also bolstered by the increasingly experienced senior associate pairing of Charlotte Wright and Sanjita Roy.

Hadef & Partners LLC is regularly sought out for its comprehensive expertise in the local regulatory and commercial aspects of TMT, as well as other core areas such as e-commerce and data privacy. Victoria Woods is a leading presence and brings over two decades of experience advising on software development, telecoms regulation and data security, while IP specialist James Dunne heads the trade marks and brand protection offering. Head of corporate Yasser Omar also supports the team.

The ‘unique’ TMT practice at KARM Legal Consultants offers a ‘tech-savvy team’ that consider fintech, data protection, AI, blockchain and cryptocurrency-related activities to be core areas of expertise. Managing partner Kokila Alagh is adept at advising clients which deal in highly specialised technology, from blockchain and open banking to innovation in medical and insurance sectors. Associate Akshata Namjoshi is well-versed in the setting up of cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as the deployment of public and enterprise blockchains.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP‘s TMT practice offers ‘in-depth industry knowledge‘ and significant breadth of expertise in delivering cross-border digital transformation projects, major technology business sales and acquisitions, and resolving high profile technology disputes. The ‘excellent‘ Melissa Forbes-Miranda leads the group and is renowned for her expertise in the technology sector, encompassing data, software licensing, fintech and cryptocurrencies. Philip Clarke offers substantial expertise in virtual assets, while Sandeep Dhama is a specialist in corporate matters in the technology sector. Diwakar Agarwal is also a key presence, especially in regards to emerging technologies such as blockchain.

Managing partner and TMT veteran Saleem Adam leads Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s offering from Abu Dhabi, having overseen a notable increase in the number of intellectual property and technology-related M&A mandates. The practice services a broad range of major public and private sector clients, including the likes of ADNOC, Noor Bank and Al Waha Capital.