Alsuwaidi & Company

Overview

Alsuwaidi & Company is a UAE-born full-service law firm established in 1997 that combines deep local knowledge of the UAE judicial and regulatory landscape with international practice capabilities (DIFC and ADGM). The firm has a long-established disputes practice (litigation, arbitration and enforcement) and is regularly instructed on maritime, insurance, banking, white-collar crime, employment and commercial matters, while also providing corporate, IP, real estate and TMT advice. Its footprint covers three emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ajman) and the firm supplements its local capability through membership of Multilaw and the International Association of Boutique Law Firms to service clients beyond the UAE. The firm emphasises practical, commercial solutions and high client retention, and positions itself as an extension of its clients’ businesses.

Headquarters: Dubai, Emarat Atrium Building, Sheikh Zayed Road
Founded: 1997
Offices: 3

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Corporate & M&A
Commercial Contracts
Employment
Intellectual Property
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
International Arbitration
Construction & Engineering
Banking & Finance
Insurance & Reinsurance
Real Estate
Shipping & Maritime
Technology & Digital
Energy & Natural Resources
Regulatory & Compliance
White Collar Crime
ESG & Sustainability

Geographic Focus: Core strength and market presence is in the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman) with strong working knowledge of UAE federal courts, Dubai judicial system, DIFC and ADGM courts. The firm advises regional and international clients active across the GCC and leverages membership of international networks (Multilaw; International Association of Boutique Law Firms) to provide cross-border support.

Training Contract

Seat Options

Dispute Resolution & Litigation
International Arbitration
Corporate & M&A
Commercial Contracts
Employment
Intellectual Property
Insurance & Reinsurance
Real Estate
Construction & Engineering
Shipping & Maritime
Technology & Digital
Banking & Finance
Regulatory & Compliance
ESG & Sustainability

Apply on the Alsuwaidi & Company website →

Programmes & Schemes

Internship and Training Program

A structured legal internship and training programme that places interns and trainees on live matters across the firm's practice groups, with an emphasis on practical contribution and learning about the UAE legal framework. The programme accepts law students and graduates and has hosted international placements (for example, a placement from Saville Notaries, London). Interested applicants are invited to contact HR directly.

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Notable Matters

Cancellation of infringing “Police” trademarks — Dubai Courts (Class 25)

Represented the registered owner of the "Police" trademark in a successful action before the Dubai Courts which resulted in cancellation of infringing registrations in Class 25 (reported May 16, 2025). The judgment demonstrates the firm's contentious trademark enforcement capability in local courts.

Intellectual Property

Defended validity of a trademark assignment before the Dubai Courts (cross-border issues under Luxembourg law)

Successfully defended the validity of a trademark assignment in litigation before the Dubai Courts involving cross-border corporate-authority issues and Luxembourg law considerations (reported May 1, 2025). The matter showcases the firm's capacity to handle complex private international law and IP transactional disputes.

Intellectual Property

High-value maritime and transport disputes (ship arrests, cargo claims, regulatory enforcement)

Advised shipowners, insurers and trading companies on multiple high-value, complex shipping and transport disputes in the UAE and the GCC, including vessel arrests, cargo claims and regulatory enforcement. The team's maritime work was recognised by a regional Maritime & Transport Team of the Year award (LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards 2025) and reflects sustained maritime litigation and advisory capability.

Shipping & Maritime

Arrest and production order in complex commercial execution matter — Dubai Courts

Secured an arrest and production order from the Dubai Courts in a complex commercial execution proceeding (reported May 14, 2026), illustrating the firm's enforcement and commercial litigation capabilities in execution and remedies.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Advising international banks in recovery proceedings against defaulting borrowers (UAE courts)

Managed proceedings for a group of international banks against defaulting borrowers before UAE courts (reported 2022), demonstrating experience in banking litigation, enforcement and creditor remedies in the UAE judicial system.

Banking & Finance

What Alsuwaidi & Company Looks For

Key Competencies

Commercial awareness
Client-focused approach
Practical problem-solving
Teamwork and collaboration
Good communication (Arabic and English useful)
Resilience and adaptability to UAE legal practice
Interest in regional/cross-border disputes

Evidence Signals

Practical litigation or transactional experience in UAE or GCC markets
Internship or prior law firm placements (demonstrable contribution to live matters)
Multilingual ability (Arabic/English advantageous)
Pro bono or community engagement
Sector-specific experience (maritime, insurance, banking, real estate, TMT)

Benefits & Wellbeing

High employee retention (firm emphasises continuity of lawyer teams for clients)
Supportive, multicultural workplace (over 19 nationalities; multilingual teams)
Practical internship and training placements for students and graduates
Pro bono opportunities (firm commits over 450 hours to pro bono annually; ~35% of lawyers participate)
Staff wellbeing initiatives including in‑office personal training and health-focused programmes
Access to client- and matter-management infrastructure (Client Hub; KYC Portal)

Wellbeing

The firm runs staff wellbeing and health-focused programmes (including in‑office personal training led by senior staff) and promotes a workplace that supports staff engagement and wellbeing. The firm also emphasises pro bono engagement as part of staff development.

Awards & Recognition

Chambers & Partners — Ranked Band 2 for Dispute Resolution (2026)
Chambers & Partners — Ranked Band 4 for Employment (2026)
Chambers & Partners — Mohammed Alsuwaidi ranked in Band 2 (2026)
Legal 500 — Tier 3 for Dispute Resolution (2026)
Legal 500 — Tier 5 for Commercial Contracts (2026)
LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards — Maritime & Transport Team of the Year (2025)
DIFC Courts’ Academy of Law — Outstanding Pro Bono Firm (2015)
Dubai Judicial Department — Recognition for pro bono contributions (2018)
WTR 1000 — Recognised (2025)
Multiple Chambers & Legal 500 rankings across prior years (2014–2025)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm states diversity is a business priority and promotes an inclusive, collegial environment. It highlights a multicultural workforce and encourages applications regardless of race, colour, religious belief or disability.

Diversity and Inclusion commitments (firm page emphasises collegial environment and inclusivity)
Women in Law series (internal editorial programme profiling women at the firm)
Home to over 19 nationalities and multilingual workforce
Pro bono and community engagement (annual programmes supporting regional charities)

Pro Bono

Alsuwaidi & Company commits over 450 hours to pro bono work each year; over one third (35%) of lawyers participate in pro bono annually. The firm has received recognition for pro bono work from the DIFC Courts’ Academy of Law (Outstanding Pro Bono Firm, 2015) and the Dubai Judicial Department (2018). The firm works with regional charities and local community partners.

Innovation

The firm adopts a pragmatic technology approach focused on digital workflows, a KYC portal and client hub services to improve efficiency and client service. It has also integrated ESG thinking into practice (Greener Arbitration Pledge) and highlights attempts to reduce paper usage and enhance energy efficiency in office operations.

Signatory to the Greener Arbitration Pledge (sustainability in arbitration practice)
KYC Portal (alsuwaidi.digital) — digital client onboarding/KYC platform
Client Hub — client-facing digital services and portals
Digital workflow optimisation and paper reduction initiatives

Quick Application Angles

If applying for dispute or maritime roles, highlight any direct shipping, cargo or arrest experience and reference the firm's Maritime & Transport Team of the Year recognition (2025).
Demonstrate practical UAE experience or a clear understanding of UAE courts/DIFC/ADGM procedures — the firm emphasises local procedural know‑how and courtroom experience.
Show commercial awareness and client-focused outcomes (examples where you acted as an extension of a client's business), mirroring the firm's stated client-centric approach.
Emphasise multilingual skills and regional exposure — Arabic plus another relevant language or GCC experience will align with the firm's multilingual, multicultural teams.
Reference pro bono involvement or community work; the firm commits significant pro bono hours and values community engagement.