'Business as normal': Dubai law firm leader's posts go viral amid Gulf conflict

The managing partner of a top UAE law firm has sparked debate online after posting on LinkedIn that “Dubai is safe” and “business is operating as normal” in the wake of cross-border attacks in the region.

Ahmed Ibrahim is the managing partner of Ibrahim & Partners, which operates offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and is highly-ranked in the UAE, specialising in capital markets, as well as corporate and M&A work.

In a LinkedIn post on Monday, he said he was at the office with his team, with “meetings ongoing, calls lined up, deals progressing”. He added that anyone choosing to work from home would be deducted a day from annual leave, followed by a winking emoji - a remark that fuelled the online debate.

‍Work from home guidance

The UAE, along with other Gulf states, has faced several days of disruption following missile and drone attacks linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Authorities in the UAE have told private sector companies to implement remote working arrangements wherever possible.

The country’s main stock exchanges - Nasdaq Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange - were closed for two days from Monday in response to the events.

Business as usual

Against that backdrop, Ibrahim cautioned against amplifying speculation. “Let’s be careful not to create our own monster by amplifying speculation or feeding unnecessary anxiety. Facts over rumours. Confidence over fear,” he wrote.

In a follow-up post, he addressed business leaders directly: “Bring your teams back to the office. Show up. Operate. Meet clients. Close deals. Send a visible, collective signal that we believe in the country we chose to build our businesses in.”

He added: “This is not just a statement, it is a responsibility. Markets move on confidence. Economies grow on conviction.”

Reaction

As first reported by Law Middle East, the original post generated heavy engagement on LinkedIn and Reddit, with reaction divided.

One commenter wrote: “There’s absolutely no doubt that the UAE is safe.”

Others criticised the tone. “The dilemma is not a political crisis but a personal and moral one,” one person wrote, arguing that leaders should show “empathy and understanding of the emotional stress this uncertainty has created for people and giving them an opportunity to feel safer in their homes.”

What other firms are doing

Many international firms with sizeable presences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have moved staff to remote working and activated security protocols.

‍Clyde & Co counts more than 300 staff across six offices in the Middle East, while White & Case has around 100 lawyers in the UAE. Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper and A&O Shearman also have large international practices in the region.

A White & Case spokesperson said: “We have instructed our people to work from home, following the guidance of local authorities to shelter in place.

Baker McKenzie said it had taken precautionary measures, including asking colleagues in the region to work remotely.

An A&O Shearman spokesperson said the firm was “closely monitoring the evolving situation” and remained in regular contact with colleagues in the region, following the guidance of relevant authorities.