Law Practice Management
Layoffs in Dubai, Too: DLA Piper Axes 8
Posted Apr 3, 2009 11:10 AM CST
By Martha Neil
In the midst of a stunning series of major law firm layoffs in the United States and United Kingdom because of the dismal economy, the Middle East has been seen as a relatively booming practice area ripe for expansion.
But there is a slowdown in legal work there, too, says DLA Piper, which is laying off eight associates in its Dubai office, reports Legal Week. That amounts to about 8 percent of the firm's associate roster there.
The "redundancies" are primarily in the office's corporate and finance and projects-related practice areas, DLA Piper says.
The layoffs follow earlier attorney cuts in the firm's U.S., U.K. and Asian offices, as well as a partnership restructuring.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: "BigLaw Firms Converge on Dubai: Jones Day Launches, CC Amps Up"
ABAJournal.com: "DLA Piper Will Cut Pay for Most Partners by 11.5 Percent"
ABAJournal.com: "Under 1-tier Structure, DLA’s Equity Partner Count Jumps from 300 to 670"
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Comments
Andy the Lawyer
Apr 3, 2009 12:38 PM CST
Scarier than usual consequences here, because if you lose your job in Dubai and you don’t get another job within 30 sayd, your residence visa goes belly up and you have to leave the country.
But wait! There’s more! If you owe money (e.g. on a car, your apartment lease, etc.) and don’t repay it in full, you can’t lawfully leave the country. Dubai has a debtors’ prison as well. This is why when foreigners are fired, it’s not unusual for them to drive to the airport and get on the first plane out of the country. Dubai’s airport parking lot is filled with the abandoned autos of these people. Soon there may be 8 more.
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B. McLeod
Apr 4, 2009 8:45 PM CST
Dubai. Do sleep. Do sleep, perchance to dream. (Aye, there’s the rub).
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Debra Veoli
Apr 6, 2009 6:43 AM CST
Comment removed by moderator.
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