Top 10 Best Lawyers in Dubai – End of 2025 Edition

Top 10 Litigation Lawyers in Dubai (2025)

Dubai’s legal market is home to many skilled advocates. Below is a list of 10 leading individual courtroom litigators in Dubai as of 2025. Each is known for active rights of
audience before UAE courts and the ability to serve both Arabic and non-Arabic speaking clients. All are bilingual (Arabic/English) and have strong experience in commercial, civil, and/or criminal cases. Short bios and a summary table of key facts are provided for each lawyer. He is Fluent in Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, German, Russian and English.

Leading Dubai Litigators – Profiles

1. Ahmad Abdulla Ahli (Former Judge Of  Dubai Supreme court)

A distinguished legal professional with over 27 years of experience in the UAE judiciary, Mr. Ahmad Abdulla Ahli is widely respected as one of the country’s foremost authorities in UAE law.

He has served as a former Judge at the Dubai Supreme Court, as well as a former Judge in the Real Estate Court and the Appeal Court, where he presided over numerous landmark cases that helped shape the legal landscape of the Dubai, UAE.

Beyond his judicial service, Mr. Ahli has played a pivotal role in developing and advising on key legislation in the UAE, contributing to the country’s evolving legal framework.

Renowned for his deep understanding of UAE civil, commercial and Criminal law, Mr. Ahli continues to be a trusted legal advisor and thought leader, known for his integrity, judicial insight, and commitment to upholding justice.

2. Dr. Habib Al Mulla – Founder, Habib Al Mulla & Partners (Baker McKenzie UAE): 

A veteran
lawyer with over 40 years of experience in UAE law.Dr. Habib Al Mulla is recognized as one
of the country’s foremost legal authorities. He maintains active rights of audience and a leading
litigation practice in both the local Arabic courts and the English-language DIFC courts. Notably, he was the architect of the UAE’s financial free zones (he designed the Dubai. International Financial Centre’s legal framework). and he has held prominent positions such as a member of the UAE Federal National Council. Bilingual in Arabic and English, Dr. Al Mulla handles high-profile commercial and civil cases and is frequently appointed as an arbitrator or expert witness in complex disputes.

3. Essam Al Tamimi – Founder & Chairman, Al Tamimi & Company:

The founding partner of the Middle East’s largest law firm, Essam Al Tamimi has 34+ years of courtroom litigation and arbitration experience in the UAE and GCC. An Emirati advocate, he has appeared in and advised on cases across virtually all fields of law, including corporate, banking, real estate, and commercial disputes. Beyond litigation, Al Tamimi has played a key role in drafting modern UAE legislation and advising authorities on legal reforms. Fluent in Arabic and English, he
has represented local and international clients in landmark cases and is a recipient of the IFLR Lifetime Achievement Award.

4.Dr. Hassan Arab

With a legal career spanning 25+ years (active as a UAE lawyer since 1998), Dr. Hassan Arab is one of Dubai’s top litigators and arbitration counsel. He is an Emirati advocate with full rights of
audience in all UAE courts (federal and local), known for his expertise in civil and commercial
litigation, enforcement of foreign judgments, and arbitration awards. Hassan Arab has been
instrumental in building Al Tamimi’s renowned disputes team, earning recognition for its “great
reputation for local court work”. He frequently handles complex banking, real estate, and corporate disputes, and is bilingual in Arabic and English, providing strategic counsel to
both local and expatriate clients.

5.Ali Al Zarooni – Managing Partner, Horizons & Co.:

Adv. Ali Al Zarooni is a seasoned Emirati litigator with 30 years of practice in UAE courts . He has a proven track record of success in courtroom disputes and arbitrations, especially in the construction, real estate, and financial services sectors . As founder of Horizons & Co, he has represented prominent companies and individuals at all levels of UAE courts, from First Instance up to the Court of Cassation . Ali Al Zarooni is also a qualified arbitrator and a licensed private notary in Dubai. He communicates fluently in Arabic and English, enabling him to personally advocate for both local and international clients in criminal, civil, and commercial cases.

6. Mohammed Alsuwaidi – Managing Partner, Alsuwaidi & Company: 

Mohammed Alsuwaidi is an Emirati lawyer with over two decades of litigation and arbitration experience in the UAE. Before founding his firm, he headed the legal department of a UAE petroleum corporation, and he has since built an “enviable arbitration practice” regionally. Alsuwaidi is deeply rooted in UAE law—he has been called upon as a UAE-law expert in numerous international cases and has sat as an arbitrator in 70+ arbitrations to date. He has also served in leadership roles (e.g., Vice Chairman of the UAE Jurists Association), reflecting his standing in the legal community. Fully conversant in Arabic and English, Alsuwaidi regularly represents clients (local businesses and foreign investors alike) in commercial, civil, and even criminal litigation, leveraging his broad network and regulatory knowledge.

7. Abdulla Ziad Galadari – Senior Partner, Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants:

Abdulla Galadari is a prominent Emirati advocate and the driving force behind one of Dubai’s longest-established law firms. He is recognized by Legal 500 as a “Leading Professional” in UAE disputes Galadari’s litigation practice spans complex commercial and corporate disputes. including high-value real estate and construction cases, shareholder and partnership conflicts, financial fraud and white-collar crime issues. He is a key legal adviser to both private and public organizations, known for helping senior UAE dignitaries and major conglomerates navigate the local legal framework. Apart from courtroom work, he has championed legal training initiatives—mentoring dozens of young Emirati lawyers through licensing programs. Abdulla Galadari is multilingual, speaking Arabic, English, French, and Urdu, and has full rights of audience in all UAE courts. His ability to communicate across languages and cultures makes him sought-after by both Emirati and international clients in litigation and arbitrationMatters.

8.Abdulrahman Juma – Head of Disputes, Hadef & Partners:

Abdulrahman Juma is an Emirati senior litigator who leads the dispute resolution practice at Hadef & Partners. He is licensed to appear before all UAE courts, including the Dubai Courts (First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation) and federal courts. Juma’s practice focuses on commercial and civil litigation—he represents a range of local and international corporations as well as UAE government entities in court disputes. His specialist expertise includes arbitration-related court proceedings and rental/property disputes in the UAE. Clients praise his combination of “commercial acumen” and rigorous approach to resolving cases. A former officer in the Ministry of Interior (and Dubai Police Academy graduate), Juma brings a pragmatic understanding to criminal and regulatory matters as well. He works in both English and Arabic , ensuring clear communication with expatriate clients and effective advocacy in Arabic before the courts.

9.Dr. Ahmad Bin Hezeem—Senior Partner, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates:

Dr. Ahmad Bin Hezeem is a highly respected Emirati lawyer with a unique background in the UAE judiciary. He served for over 24 years in Dubai’s legal and judicial institutions, including eight years as Director General of the Dubai Courts—giving him unparalleled insight into court procedures. In private practice, Dr. Bin Hezeem handles a broad spectrum of litigation: his experience covers civil and commercial lawsuits, criminal cases, family and personal status matters, and contract disputes. He is well-versed in UAE legislation and was involved in high-level governmental roles (e.g. Dubai Executive Council and Federal Judicial Council) overseeing legal reforms. As the senior partner at BSA, he provides strategic counsel in complex cases (including fraud and bankruptcy issues) and leverages a network of dual-qualified lawyers. Dr. Bin Hezeem is fluent in Arabic and English (a skill he routinely recommended for Dubai lawyers). His blend of courtroom experience and regulatory expertise makes him a go-to litigator for difficult disputes and government-related matters.

10.Dr. Zayed Al Shamsi – Principal, Zayed Al Shamsi Advocates & Legal Consultants:

Dr. Zayed Al Shamsi is a veteran Emirati advocate known for his long-standing courtroom and community contributions. He began his career as a Dubai Public Prosecutor (1992–1998) before establishing his own Dubai law firm in 1998. With over 30 years in practice, Al Shamsi has handled numerous criminal defense cases and high-stakes civil matters, often advocating on behalf of individuals in sensitive or precedent-setting cases. He served as the Chairman of the UAE Lawyers Association for more than a decade, reflecting the esteem he’s held in by his peers. Dr. Al Shamsi is also noted for his human rights work and frequent commentary in the media—he has appeared on Arab news outlets as a legal expert and even led a regional jurists’ association. As an advocate, he has rights of audience at all levels of UAE courts and combines a deep understanding of local culture with an international outlook. He is proficient in Arabic (his advocacy language) and speaks English to engage with global clients and forums. Clients value his frank advice and his ability to bridge local legal practice with broader human rights and business considerations.