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CMS Dubai establishes new TMT practice with specialist hire

2 October 2017

International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of Dubai-based Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) specialist Rob Flaws. Rob has been brought in to head the newly-formed TMT practice in Dubai, and joins from DLA Piper Middle East where he was a Senior Legal Consultant. Rob was previously a TMT associate at CMS in London from 2007 to 2010. He is joined by Corporate associate Chloe Player from Trowers & Hamlins, and follows on from the recently announced hire of Slava Kiryushin as a disputes senior associate.

Rob is a seasoned TMT practitioner and advises clients across a broad range of TMT issues including intellectual property and data privacy matters with particular focus on technology and commercial transactions and the licensing and protection of intellectual property rights.

Rob has over 10 years of international legal experience in the TMT sector and has been practising in the Middle East since 2011 where he has acted on a number of high profile, business critical IT & telecoms projects. Rob has particular expertise in the technology space, including on the delivery of managed services, outsourcing and complex technology and network related transactions. As part of his technology focus he has worked with numerous clients in the FinTech space helping in the development of e-payment and mobile money systems and advising clients on their use of cryptocurrencies and Blockchain. Rob also has a strong media industry background, having previously worked as an international lawyer for Paramount Pictures.

John O’Connor, Co-Managing Partner of CMS Dubai comments: “The UAE and wider MENA region offer vast opportunities within the TMT space. The sector growth is expected to continue, while for our clients in other core sectors – energy, financial institutions, retail and healthcare/life sciences for example - investment in TMT is increasingly vital to remain competitive. Rob brings with him a huge amount of experience, which perfectly complements the firm's strategic growth plans in the region. His appointment will allow the firm to better support our existing client base who require specialist expertise in that area. We are delighted to have him on board."

Rob Flaws adds: “It is great to be back at CMS and an exciting opportunity to lead the firm’s TMT practice in the region. The firm’s recent merger with Olswang and Nabarro has significantly strengthened CMS' international capability across the TMT space, and I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the global platform to help further our position across the GCC.”

These appointments build on CMS’ burgeoning offering in the region, and follow the announcement of the firm’s exclusive partnership with Saudi Arabian law firm, Feras Al Shawaf. The new partnership expands CMS’ presence to nine countries in the Middle East including Algeria, Morocco, Oman, Turkiye and the UAE, with associated offices in Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.