Dubai

Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), our office provides seamless and strategic counsel to clients doing business in the UAE’s dynamic market for both transactional and dispute-related matters. At the same time, it connects clients with a UAE presence to our litigation and regulatory expertise in the U.S., the UK, France, and Europe in general, and serves as a key hub for our Africa-focused practice.

The office is led by Johannes Jonas, an accomplished corporate lawyer with over 35 years of experience. He brings extensive management experience, having co-founded and successfully led Cohen & Gresser’s Paris office for 11 years. As he takes on this new role, Muriel Goldberg-Darmon has become managing partner of the Paris office, continuing to build on the firm’s strong foundation in France and across Europe.

“Dubai is a vibrant and growing international business hub, making it a natural choice for Cohen & Gresser as we expand our global footprint,” said Lawrence T. Gresser, the firm’s global managing partner. “We are excited to have Johannes Jonas at the helm, bringing his exceptional expertise and deep understanding of cross-border legal matters to this important initiative.”

Under Mr. Jonas’s guidance, the Dubai office will prioritize deepening relationships with existing clients and attracting new clients who value the firm’s innovative and client-focused approach.

“The new office allows us to strengthen our ties with clients in the region while providing our international clients greater access to the opportunities available in Dubai and the Middle East,” said Mr. Jonas.

“This new presence offers our clients a strategic platform for corporate transactions as well as white-collar matters — particularly for cross-border financial and criminal investigations,” notes Ms. Goldberg-Darmon.

Cohen & Gresser was founded in 2002 in New York and expanded internationally in 2014 with the opening of its Paris office, followed by Washington, D.C., in 2016 and London in 2018 — each established with a focus on trusted leadership, selective hiring, and alignment with the firm’s core values and global practice strengths. With the addition of its Dubai office, the firm further strengthens its global footprint; together, this international network enables Cohen & Gresser to deliver seamless, high-caliber legal services to clients worldwide.

Cohen & Gresser’s Dubai office is located at:

Emirates Financial Towers

South Tower, Suite S319

DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Nigel is a dual-qualified English Solicitor and Avocat au Barreau de Paris with more than 40 years of international experience, including over 17 years based in Dubai and earlier work in Bahrain, Egypt, and France. His unique background in both common law (UK) and civil law (France) provides a valuable bridge for clients navigating the legal systems of the Gulf/GCC region.

Nigel advises multinational corporations, investment funds, and family offices—primarily foreign clients and multinational groups from Europe and Asia—on cross-border corporate transactions, fund structuring, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution. He has extensive experience guiding international clients as they enter and expand in the UAE, whether through establishing new structures, meeting regulatory requirements, or acquiring existing businesses. His work spans a wide range of industries, including energy, infrastructure, real estate, construction, and financial services.

Nigel has built and led several international legal practices, including founding the Dubai office of LPA Law in 2016. His career also includes senior roles at CVML, Brandford-Griffith & Associés, Dentons, Veil Jourde, and CMS, where he gained deep experience across Europe and the Middle East. Recent matters include regulatory advice for ADGM and DIFC entities, acquisitions, and fund formation.

“Nigel’s deep knowledge of the UAE legal market and his international perspective make him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Lawrence T. Gresser, the firm’s global managing partner. “His experience aligns perfectly with our strategic goals and enhances our capabilities in the region.”

Johannes Jonas, managing partner of Cohen & Gresser’s Dubai office, added: “Nigel is highly respected in the Middle East legal community. His addition strengthens our transactional and regulatory offerings and supports our continued growth in the region.”

Nigel commented: “I am excited to join Cohen & Gresser and contribute to the firm’s dynamic international practice. The firm’s collaborative culture and global reach are a perfect match for my clients and my professional goals.”

Cohen & Gresser’s Dubai office advises multinational corporations, investors, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals on a wide range of corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution matters across the Middle East and North Africa.

Cohen & Gresser was founded in 2002 in New York and expanded internationally in 2014 with the opening of its Paris office, followed by Washington, D.C. in 2016, London in 2018, and Dubai in 2025—each established with a focus on trusted leadership, selective hiring, and alignment with the firm’s core values and global practice strengths. This international network enables Cohen & Gresser to deliver seamless, high-caliber legal services to clients worldwide.