HBJ Gateley Wareing officially launched its Dubai office in the presence of royalty on Wednesday evening (11th June)  at the world’s only seven star hotel, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Around 100 guests attended the dinner in the Al Falak Ballroom at the spectacular Burj Al Arab on the Dubai coastline, but the guest of honour was Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, a high ranking member of the royal family.

His Highness took the stage and officially welcomed HBJ Gateley Wareing to the region and spoke about how important it is for the city of Dubai to welcome new and ambitious companies such as HBJ Gateley Wareing and how it is only by working together that the city can achieve its own ambitious plans and targets.

He also raised a few laughs among the distinguished guests, who comprised current HBJ clients, contacts in the region and other dignitaries, when he joked: “We really cannot have too many lawyers here.”

HBJ Gateley Wareing’s joint senior partners Malcolm McPherson and Mike Ward also took to the stage to welcome their guests and officially launch the law firm into the Middle East. McPherson gave a brief history of the law firm, from its earliest days some 200 years ago when it was launched in Leith, while Ward outlined the future for the law firm and how they aim to build their business in the Middle east from their new Dubai base.

The Dubai office is being headed up by Paul Taylor who has more than three years experience of the Dubai legal sector previously being with Berrymans Lace Mawer. Taylor is being supported in Dubai by Anthony Page, Dennis Brand, Silvia Testa and a four-strong administration team.

For pictures from the event see the next issue of The Firm.