In the epicentre of Dubai’s bustling legal landscape, where towering skyscrapers punctuate the skyline, lies a tale entwined by passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Turning back to 2002, Abdelaziz Alhanaee, a young and enthusiastic law school graduate securing a position with one of Dubai’s leading law firms, was eager to embark on a career path in the legal realm. As Dubai’s skyline soared, so did the complexity of legal cases. With each passing year, Alhanaee dealt with an ever-increasing number of multinational corporations, each with unique legal requirements and expectations. After working in the domain for nine years, he realized that clients need specialized law firms with reasonable costs and substantial experience in the field of litigation matters. Little did Alhanaee know that his journey from a budding lawyer would pave the way to the founding of one of Dubai’s most esteemed law firms – Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy. The consultancy is a testament to his vision and determination to carve a niche in the legal realm.
The Brain Behind the Firm
Abdelaziz Alhanaee’s forte lies in his ability to view the bigger picture of the present-day legal scenes and churn out unique propositions that help clients stand a cut above the rest. Alhanaee, a practising Emirati lawyer, gained a BA in Law from within the UAE and has been practising law for over two decades. He represents clients before all levels of the courts across all jurisdictions within the country. Alhanaee’s extensive experience within the law has seen him previously hold notable positions such as a Partner and Head of Litigation in one of the UAE’s largest Law firms, as well as the Ministry of Interior for seven years. Specializing in legal advice, both arbitration and litigation for civil, commercial, construction, contracting, and property-related disputes as well as labor cases, he also specializes in criminal cases such as breach of trust, fraud, and all other financial crimes.
Alhanaee is also a registered arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and has acted in more than ten international and local arbitration cases under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and DIAC rules as a Sole Arbitrator, co-arbitrator, or Arbitration Counsel. He is also a London International Bar Association member and has most recently won the award of ‘Commercial Litigation Lawyer of the Year – UAE’ from Leaders in Law. The specialties of Abdelaziz Alhanaee include Litigation (Civil & Commercial), Arbitration, Construction Law, Real Estate Law, Labour Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Mediation, and Negotiation.
Setting The ‘X’ Factor
Debuted in the year 2013, Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy advises its clients in a wide variety of sectors. The firm has positioned itself as a specialized litigator in civil and commercial cases, real estate, arbitration, and criminal financial cases. Through these years, the consultancy has notched many milestones, but notable victories include two cases – one was an arbitration case, in which it bagged an arbitration award in its client’s favor of AED 50 million, and in another commercial case, it got a judgment in its client’s favor for AED 120 million. The law firm rules the hearts and minds of its clients and has raised the bar to a new peak by offering a service portfolio that includes tax cases, bankruptcy & insolvency, commercial cases, construction claims cases, and real estate cases.
Abdelaziz Alhanaee, the firm’s Founder & Managing Partner, says, “We provide our esteemed clients with experience and time. Most clients suffer from lawyers who are challenging to reach. My clients were always surprised when I told them they could call me 24/7, morning or evening. I don’t have any restrictions on that with my clients. I think that distinguishes us from other law firms in the region.” The outstanding work of Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy has been recognized with numerous awards, including Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2017, Global Law Expertise Annual Award 2017, Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2021 in the UAE, to name a few. Today, Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy stands tall as one of the most important local law firms in Dubai, licensed to offer legal consultancy as per international standards and litigation under one roof in all courts in the UAE.
Team – The Strongest Support System
At the core of the firm’s success lies its exceptional team of legal professionals, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, especially in civil commercial and arbitration laws. With a cumulative experience exceeding a century, the team comprises seasoned lawyers who have honed their skills in prestigious law firms across the region. Their collective knowledge forms the bedrock of the firm’s capabilities, enabling it to navigate complex legal terrain with finesse. In a dynamic legal environment, learning and embracing new things is pivotal. Professional development is not just encouraged at Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy; it is deeply embedded in its culture. Regular discussions on emerging judicial precedents and updates in legislation ensure that the team remains at the forefront of legal innovation, equipped to provide clients with informed counsel.
Navigating Legal Landscapes
The big challenge, particularly in the UAE and in the region is the presence of a large number of international law firms, which has created fierce competition in the market. This competition has made Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy enhance its services to clients. The firm has the advantage of being able to represent clients before the UAE courts, unlike international law firms, along with extensive knowledge of UAE laws. Staying abreast of legislative changes is imperative in delivering effective legal counsel. Through proactive measures such as regular team meetings and comprehensive analysis of new regulations, the firm ensures that it remains ahead of the curve, ready to adapt to evolving legal landscapes. “We are a medium law firm, we have a comprehensive conception of the changes in the UAِE laws, and we always meet together and discuss all the new rules and regulations in addition we make a comparison between old and new laws,” he adds.
Mapping the Future
In addition to its philosophy of client-centeredness, Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy has a dedication to serving the law community and profession. By promoting a culture of transparency, cooperation, and ethical conduct, the law firm sets a benchmark for legal excellence. The firm is chalking out plans to increase the number of clients, especially investors because this category needs someone with experience in UAE laws. To support the next generation of legal talent and to meet the changing needs of its clients, the firm intends to cooperate with law firms throughout the Middle East. With its unwavering commitment to excellence and consistent adherence to core values, Abdelaziz Alhanaee Advocates & Legal Consultancy is well-placed to become a leading provider of professional expertise in the region.
