United Arab Emirates (UAE) firm Hadef & Partners (previously known as  Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates) rebranded itself earlier this month in a move described by its managing partner, Sadiq Jafar, as necessary to make it more recognisable to an international audience. Now it has cut six of its corporate finance lawyers and plans to shift a number of key partners between its Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices. 

Jafar said that despite the move,  the 'rejuvenated and modernised' firm will look to continue to grow in the region. "We've restructured in various practice groups. For example, some people have moved to our Abu Dhabi office, which at the moment is much more dynamic. This is mainly in the banking & finance team. We expect to see growth in our dispute resolution group, financial and restructuring." Jafar is quick to point out that the firm had hired 12 new lawyers over the past six months.

And while such headlines are sure to attract the attention of international clients, local firms like Hadef are not the only ones suffering through the current crisis. International firms are also feeling the need to trim their operations as the Gulf growth miracle quickly turns sour.

Trowers & Hamlins and DLA Piper were among the first international firms to lay off lawyers in the Gulf region and ALB understands others such as Simmons & Simmons, Clifford Chance and Ashurst are on the cusp of announcing staffing reviews.