Shariah-compliant law firm Agha & Shamsi has appointed former DLA Piper lawyer Claire Grainger as partner to head its projects and dispute resolution practice. She joins the firm after spending two years as a consultant and director in the construction practice with DLA’s Dubai office, leaving the firm mid-last year.
Grainger’s recent appointment underscores the value of networking in the region. Although Agha & Shamsi’s managing partner Oliver Agha headed up DLA Piper’s Islamic and Saudi operations until late 2008, Grainger joined DLA from Clyde & Co just as Agha was departing.
Agha and Grainger’s paths crossed again while working on a construction deal with one of Agha & Shamsi’s family friends. “Oliver knew my background and we had met briefly in the month when I started at the firm and before he had left,” said Grainger. “When the prospect of joining the firm occurred, I met the people and was impressed with the firm’s ... very ethical standing.”
The former civil engineer brought on board some of her clients and plans to expand the practice at Agha & Shamsi, but remains cautious given the legal market downturn experienced by other regional firms. “The firm’s philosophy is to grow in relation to client requirements; not grow for the sake of growth,” she said.
The downturn in the Gulf legal market saw firms last year such as Trowers & Hamlins, Hadef & Partners, and Grainger’s former employer, DLA Piper reduce their regional headcount by as much as 9%.
Other DLA Piper lawyers who have moved recently include former Gulf head Alex Saleh, who launched Al Tamimi & Co’s Kuwait office last year.
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