Gowling WLG has further strengthened its award-winning intellectual property (IP) practice with the appointment of James Dunne as Head of Brands for the Middle East in its Dubai office.
James has built a strong reputation in the UAE and internationally advising clients on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP matters. His experience spans trade marks, copyright, designs, brand protection and enforcement, advertising clearance, IP litigation, and the commercialisation of IP rights. He acts for clients ranging from regional businesses to multinational corporations across a very broad range of industry sectors.
Recognised by leading legal directories, including Chambers and The Legal 500, as a Next Generation Partner, James is regarded as a sophisticated IP practitioner with a commercial, client-focused approach. His arrival further enhances the firm's ability to help clients protect, commercialise and enforce their most valuable intangible assets in the region and internationally.
Commenting on the appointment, Jon Parker, Head of the Middle East IP practice, said: "We are delighted to welcome James to the firm. His depth of experience and excellent reputation in the market make him a natural fit for our IP team. As demand for sophisticated IP advice continues to grow across the Middle East, James's appointment reflects our ambition to offer clients the very best specialist expertise, both regionally and as part of our global platform."
James Dunne added: "Gowling WLG's IP practice has an outstanding, internationally recognised reputation, and I am excited to be joining such a talented team. I have had the privilege of working alongside Gowling WLG as co-counsel previously in my career and their IP expertise is second to none. In addition, the firm's collaborative culture and sector-focused approach provides an ideal platform to assist clients navigate an increasingly complex IP landscape, and I look forward to contributing to the team's continued success in the region."
Gowling WLG's IP team is consistently ranked among the leading practices globally and was most recently named UAE Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Middle East Awards 2026 and UAE Trademark Firm of the Year at the Managing Intellectual Property EMEA Awards 2026. The team offers clients an integrated, end-to-end service across all areas of intellectual property. James' appointment follows the recent arrival of Christine Khoury as a partner in the TMT team and reflects the firm's continued investment in building its Middle East capabilities.