DLA Piper awarded Technology, Media & Telecoms Law Firm of the Year at The Middle East Legal Awards 2024

DLA Piper has been named Technology, Media & Telecoms (TMT) Law Firm of the Year at The Middle East Legal Awards 2024, underscoring the firm’s continued strength in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.

Held on 25 April in Dubai, the awards reflect notable achievements over the past 12 months including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service. DLA Piper remains one of the only firms to be ranked Band 1 by both Chambers Global and Legal 500 for TMT in the Middle East, rankings it has held for the last 14 years.

In particular the award recognised the team's exceptional advisory role to the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) both in creating the Emirate’s virtual asset specific regulatory framework and the continued development of the regulations, furthering VARA’s objectives of fostering a vibrant virtual assets ecosystem and driving economic growth in the Emirate.

Paul Allen, Partner and global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Intellectual Property & Technology (IPT) practice, commented: “Rapid advancements in technology continue to have a profound impact across all industries, creating a wave of opportunity for clients. We are privileged to be at the forefront of this continual digital evolution, advising the region’s leading organisations and government bodies as they embrace and regulate Virtual Assets. Thank you to all of our clients for your ongoing support and for giving us the opportunity to do what we love on a daily basis.”

Lead Partner Kristi Swartz, Partner in Hong Kong, remarked: “This recognition underscores DLA Piper's unwavering commitment and expertise in the Global Blockchain and Virtual Asset sector. I'm proud of the collaborative efforts of our team members from Dubai, Hong Kong, London, and Washington DC, who formulated a unique, progressive and futureproof regulatory framework in just 9 months, which is a testament to DLA Piper’s legal expertise in the sector and cross-border capabilities.”