Paul Hastings LLP is establishing a new office in Abu Dhabi to take advantage of the city’s multibillion-dollar investments in sectors like artificial intelligence, energy, and infrastructure. This move aims to position the law firm at the forefront of the evolving market, alongside other top legal firms enhancing their presence in the Gulf region.

The firm has appointed White & Case Partners Din Eshanov and George Kazakov to oversee operations in Abu Dhabi. According to Kazakov, the new office will serve as a hub for regional clients and transactions, and will act as a crucial link between Europe, the United States, and Asia for the firm’s clientele. He emphasized that the establishment of this office represents a significant commitment to the region.

Paul Hastings has established connections in Abu Dhabi, primarily through Martin Edelman, a senior lawyer at the firm who serves as general counsel for G42, an AI company. Edelman has also been involved in negotiations with the U.S. government and holds a director position at GlobalFoundries Inc., a major chip production firm supported by the Abu Dhabi wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Co.

Abu Dhabi is making substantial investments in AI, led by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His entities, including MGX, are involved in significant projects such as funding a $100 billion initiative called the Stargate project, in partnership with major firms like Microsoft Corp. and BlackRock Inc. Furthermore, the Abu Dhabi wealth fund ADQ recently announced a $25 billion venture aimed at power generation for AI projects.

Eshanov highlighted the emphasis on infrastructure development in the region, stating, “Infrastructure is clearly a major focus here.” He believes that the firm is well-positioned to provide meaningful contributions to the ongoing infrastructure boom in Abu Dhabi.

The decision to open an office in Abu Dhabi aligns Paul Hastings with other prestigious law firms from cities like New York, London, and Chicago, all of which are expanding their operations in the Gulf to tap into a market that reported over $150 billion in deals last year.

In terms of financial performance, Paul Hastings experienced a remarkable growth rate, with revenue increasing by 20% to surpass $2.2 billion last year. This growth followed a record of 2.21 million billable hours logged by the firm’s attorneys in 2024, reflecting a 15% increase from the previous year.

The law firm is also looking to enhance investment relations between the United Arab Emirates and Europe, with plans for significant investments from the UAE into Italy and France. Eshanov remarked, “We’re seeing significant investment flows both from the UAE and into Europe and vice versa,” indicating that facilitating these investments is a key goal for the firm.