Russian firm Gorodissky & Partners opens office in Dubai

Russian legal consultancy Gorodissky & Partners enters the Middle East market with the opening of its 17th new office in Dubai.

Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Moscow, Gorodissky & Partners focuses on the full life cycle of intellectual property (IP) services, including services around trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, digital IP (software, algorithms, domain names, etc.), including Law enforcement including litigation and mediation, trade secrets, and more.

In addition to its main focus on legal services, the now 140-strong Russian firm also provides a wide range of advisory services in areas such as strategic consulting and financial consulting (focusing on valuation and due diligence work during mergers and acquisitions).

Gorodissky & Partners, which has operated in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union since its inception (currently with offices in Ukraine and Kazakhstan), has now reached a milestone in its 60+ year history of expansion into the Middle East.

Valery Medvedev, Managing Partner at Gorodissky & Partners, said: “Our entry into the Middle East is in response to the growing demands of our clients in this dynamic region.

“Based on our constant focus on creating the most comfortable conditions for clients in different jurisdictions by providing high-quality IP services, we decided to establish a field presence in the Middle East.”

Medvedev added that the attractiveness of the UAE’s business environment means that demand for IP services is on the rise. “The UAE is known for its free trade zones, innovative companies and technology parks, venture capital funds and financial institutions. They all need qualified IP legal support.”

Appointed to head the new office is Sergey Medvedev, a 15-year veteran of Gorodissky & Partners.

relationship warming

The expansion is supported by growing trade relations and investments between Russia and the UAE. According to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, trade between the two countries will increase by 68% to $9 billion in 2022, a bilateral record between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the UAE and Russia are discussing behind the scenes a free trade agreement between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which covers Russia as well as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.