Law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 - UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) CONTENTS PREVIEW

Private and Confidential | Researched in February 2024 by Lexology Insights UAE (DUBAI AND ABU DHABI) Law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 A Contents Foreword 1 Methodology 2 Key to tables and charts 3 Overview 10 “Quote… unquote” – Recruitment and retention 11 “Quote… unquote” – Compensation and benefits 12 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 B Section 1: United Arab Emirates (Dubai) Compensation trends – United Arab Emirates (Dubai) 13 Billing rate trends – United Arab Emirates (Dubai) 15 Tables and charts Compensation (fee-earners) UK law firms Table 1-1a Annual compensation (fee-earners) 16 Table 1-1b Lower-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 17 Table 1-1c Lower-mid-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners18 Table 1-1d Upper-mid-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 19 Table 1-1e Upper-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 20 US law firms Table 1-2a Annual compensation (fee-earners) 21 Table 1-2b Lower-tier US law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 22 Table 1-2c Upper-tier US law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 23 All law firms (total sample) Table 1-3 Annual compensation (fee-earners) 24 Chart 1-3 Annual compensation (fee-earners) – median, 25th and 75th percentile firms and average salary band range values 25 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 C Compensation (business services) All law firms (total sample) Table 1-4a Annual compensation (business management/compliance) 26 Table 1-4b Annual compensation (facilities/finance) 27 Table 1-4c Annual compensation (information technology/marketing) 28 Table 1-4d Annual compensation (human resources/knowledge/professional support/secretaries) 29 Bonuses All law firms (total sample) Table 1-5a Bonus eligibility 30 Table 1-5b Prevalence of bonuses 31 Benefits and allowances All law firms (total sample) Table 1-6a Benefits and allowances (housing and cost of living/education) 32 Table 1-6b Benefits and allowances (health and lifestyle/social) 33 Table 1-6c Benefits and allowances (equipment/travel and transport) 34 Table 1-6d Benefits and allowances (overtime/hours/holiday and leave) 35 Table 1-6e Benefits and allowances (maternity and paternity leave) 36 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 D Staff ratios and demographics All law firms (total sample) Table 1-7a Average personnel ratios 37 Table 1-7b Average female/male demographic ratios 37 Table 1-7c Average size of sample offices 38 Table 1-7d Headcount growth 38 Billing rates UK law firms Table 1-8 Standard billing rates 39 All law firms (total sample) Table 1-9 Standard billing rates 40 Chart 1-9 Standard billing rates – median, 25th and 75th percentile firms and average billing band range values 41 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 E Section 2: United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) Compensation trends – United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) 42 Tables and charts Compensation (fee-earners) UK law firms Table 2-1 Annual compensation (fee-earners) 43 US law firms Table 2-2 Annual compensation (fee-earners) 44 All law firms (total sample) Table 2-3 Annual compensation (fee-earners) 45 Chart 2-3 Annual compensation (fee-earners) – median, 25th and 75th percentile firms and average salary band range values 46 Compensation (business services) All law firms (total sample) Table 2-4 Annual compensation (business services) 47 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 F Bonuses All law firms (total sample) Table 2-5a Bonus eligibility 48 Table 2-5b Prevalence of bonuses 49 Benefits and allowances All law firms (total sample) Table 2-6a Benefits and allowances (housing and cost of living/education) 50 Table 2-6b Benefits and allowances (health and lifestyle/social) 51 Table 2-6c Benefits and allowances (equipment/travel and transport) 52 Table 2-6d Benefits and allowances (overtime/hours/holiday and leave) 53 Table 2-6e Benefits and allowances (maternity and paternity leave) 54 Staff ratios and demographics All law firms (total sample) Table 2-7a Average personnel ratios 55 Table 2-7b Average female/male demographic ratios 55 Table 2-7c Average size of sample offices 56 Table 2-7d Headcount growth 56 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 G Billing rates UK law firms Table 2-8 Standard billing rates 57 All law firms (total sample) Table 2-9 Standard billing rates 58 Chart 2-9 Standard billing rates – median, 25th and 75th percentile firms and average billing band range values 59 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 H Section 3: United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi combined) Tables and charts Compensation (fee-earners) UK law firms Table 3-1a Annual compensation (fee-earners) 60 Table 3-1b Lower-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 61 Table 3-1c Lower-mid-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners 62 Table 3-1d Upper-mid-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 63 Table 3-1e Upper-tier UK law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 64 US law firms Table 3-2a Annual compensation (fee-earners) 65 Table 3-2b Lower-tier US law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 66 Table 3-2c Upper-tier US law firms – typical annual compensation bands (fee-earners) 67 All law firms (total sample) Table 3-3 Annual compensation (fee-earners) 68 Chart 3-3 Annual compensation (fee-earners) – median, 25th and 75th percentile firms and average salary band range values 69 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 I Compensation (business services) All law firms (total sample) 69 Table 3-4a Annual compensation (business management/compliance) 70 Table 3-4b Annual compensation (facilities/finance) 71 Table 3-4c Annual compensation (information technology/marketing) 72 Table 3-4d Annual compensation (human resources/knowledge/professional support/secretaries) 73 Billing rates UK law firms Table 3-5 Standard billing rates 74 US law firms Table 3-6 Standard billing rates 75 All law firms (total sample) Table 3-7 Standard billing rates 76 Chart 3-7 Standard billing rates – median, 25th and 75th percentile firms and average billing band range values 77 About Lexology PRO Insights 78 Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 1 RETURN TO CONTENTS Foreword This is the 20th edition of the Lexology PRO Insights UAE law firm compensation, benefits and billing report. It was prepared on the basis of in-depth research carried out during February 2024. The results are based on data supplied by participating international law firms, as well as interviews with partners, office managers and directors of HR and finance. The report was researched by Gwilym Davies of Lexology PRO Insights. We intend to repeat this exercise annually, addressing any fluctuations in the market, along with new areas as suggested by respondents. For this reason, we remain eager for feedback on the usefulness of the findings and on how the report’s format and relevance can be improved. Profile of participating firms We would like to express our appreciation to all of the law firms that provided their time and cooperation in the preparation of this report. Their identity is confidential. All of the law firms surveyed are experienced in advising international and domestic clients across a range of corporate, financial and general business areas. The sample of participating firms breaks down as follows: United Arab Emirates (Dubai) • All firms (total sample) – 31 • UK firms – 21 • US firms – 9 • Regional firms – 1 United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) • All firms (total sample) – 19 • UK firms – 14 • US firms – 4 • Regional firms – 1 No data analysis was undertaken for groups whose sample size was considered too small. With many firms now truly international entities, the terms ‘US firm’ and ‘UK firm’ above are used to refer to the home country of the major originating component of a law firm within a given region. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 2 RETURN TO CONTENTS Methodology In gathering the information for this report, we spoke to senior decision makers at law firms and obtained details of compensation, benefits and billing rates. The following information is presented in such a way as to conceal the identity of the firms that provided the information, while still providing meaningful comparative data on compensation, benefits and billing rates. Readers may notice isolated statistical anomalies in certain figures given in the tables and charts. These typically result from occasional variations in the level of response from participants or limited data samples for categories not applicable to all firms, both of which can give rise to isolated distortions. In these instances, please refer to the charts for an indication of the general trend. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 3 RETURN TO CONTENTS Key to tables and charts The following key clarifies what is meant by each job title, given that some are not universally applied by respondent firms: Fee-earners Note: Certain positions may be omitted from the results tables if the sample size is deemed insufficient (ie, if fewer than three law firms have submitted data for a given position). • Equity partner: A stakeholder in the firm. • Salaried/local partner: A local or junior partner who has not been fully admitted into the firm’s core equity. • Counsel/of counsel: Typically a pre-partner position or sometimes a consultant/academic/elder statesman retained by the firm on a full- or part-time basis. • Level n associate [typically n to (n+1) years’ PQE]: Lawyer with n to (n+1) years’ recognised post-qualification experience (PQE), typically in year (n+1) of practice with a firm since achieving UK/US qualification or equivalent level. NQ at level 0 denotes newly qualified. • Nth year trainee (UK)/intern (other): UK trainee lawyers yet to complete the LPC, or nth year lawyers from certain jurisdictions deemed equivalent to UK trainees. • Paralegal – level n: Provides clerking duties, file management and skilled support. Usually possesses some form of legal training or qualification. • Translator – senior/manager: Experienced translator, in some cases with management duties. • Translator – junior: Junior translator. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 4 RETURN TO CONTENTS Business services Note: Certain positions may be omitted from the results tables if the sample size is deemed insufficient (ie, if fewer than three law firms have submitted data for a given position). General work title categories General work title category Description Common role titles Typical personnel supervision duties (direct or indirect) Chief officer/regional head [level 7] Regional or global head Chief officer, global head, regional head, group head, etc Entire regional divisions (typically 50+ personnel) Director/head of department [level 6] Directors/heads of department/highly senior managers Director, head of department, senior manager, office head, etc Entire departments, often across multiple offices (typically 20+ personnel) Senior manager [level 5] Mid-level to senior managers Senior manager, manager, etc Team or department (typically 5-20 personnel) Manager [level 4] Junior to mid-level managers Manager, junior or assistant manager Small team or department (typically 1-10 personnel) Senior coordinator/analyst [level 3] Skilled, specialist, or senior administration Senior coordinator, analyst, senior officer, senior specialist, advisor Usually none - perhaps supervising small team (typically 1-5 personnel) Coordinator [level 2] Mid-level administration Coordinator, officer, specialist, executive Usually none - perhaps supervising small team (typically 1-5 personnel) Assistant [level 1] Junior administration Assistant, administrator, secretary, clerk, technician etc Usually none Departmental and work function categories Business and office management • Business administration (general): Roles relating to the firm or office’s general business operations, sometimes overseeing multiple work functions (HR/finance/business development, etc). • Project/change: Project-based roles within the firm or office’s general business operations, sometimes assigned to various departments. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 5 RETURN TO CONTENTS Risk, compliance and general counsel • Compliance: Roles relating to ensuring that the firm or office is fully compliant with local regulatory, compliance and risk issues. • Compliance lawyer: Qualified in-house lawyers specialising in risk, compliance and regulatory issues. • Company secretarial/office of GC: Roles relating to the firm or office’s internal legal affairs. • Public relations officer (PRO): Roles relating to procuring local visas and ensuring staff compliance with local employment regulations. Facilities and office services • Facilities/office services: Roles relating to office services, facilities, and health and safety. • Reception: Roles relating to reception and front of house. • Guest services/client host: Roles relating to guest services and hosting of clients. • Travel: Roles relating to organising travel arrangements for employees. • Driver/courier: Roles relating to driving and courier services. • Security: Roles relating to facilities security. • Catering: Roles relating to in-house catering and serving. Finance • Financial operations (general): Roles relating to general financial operations and management. • Accountant: Qualified or in-training accountants. • Billing, accounts receivable and collections: Roles relating to billing, credit control, invoicing and collections. • Accounts payable: Roles relating to accounts payable by the firm or office. • Financial systems and reporting: Roles relating to specialised financial systems, analysis and reporting. • Pricing and fee arrangements: Roles relating to pricing, fee arrangements, and working with practice groups to maximise utilisation and profit margins. • Payroll: Roles relating to firm and office payroll. • Taxation: Roles relating to internal firm or office taxation issues. Information technology • IT (general): Roles relating to general information technology management and strategy within the firm or office. • Infrastructure and software: Roles relating to designing, developing and building software and hardware for the office, firm or clients. • IT support and training: Roles relating to technology support and software training. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 6 RETURN TO CONTENTS Marketing and business development • Marketing/BD: Roles relating to firm or office business development and marketing including work pitches. • Events/PR/communications: Roles relating to firm or office public relations, events, general brand marketing and awareness. Human resources • HR (general): Roles relating to general human resources management and strategy. • Learning and development: Roles relating to hard and soft training and the continued professional development of staff and fee-earners. • Recruitment: Roles relating to firm or office recruitment and retention, including graduate recruitment. • Diversity and inclusion: Roles relating to firm or office diversity and inclusion policies. • Compensation and benefits: Roles relating to reward, compensation and benefits for staff and fee-earners. Knowledge and data management • Knowledge management/library: Roles relating to the firm’s internal library and knowledge systems. • Research services: Roles relating to internal research projects supporting practice groups and senior management. • Data/CRM: Roles relating to managing and maintaining internal data and customer relationship management systems. Practice services and operations (professional support) • Legal project management: Non-fee-earning roles providing strategic support to legal practice groups on specific projects. • Transaction support: Non-fee-earning roles providing direct support to transactional practice groups. • Professional support lawyer: Non-fee-earning qualified lawyers providing additional support for practice groups. • Document production: Roles relating to design, drafting and production of client documents, marketing copy and other outbound materials. • File clerk: Roles providing file clerking duties. • Court clerk: Roles providing court clerking duties. Secretarial services • Secretarial services: Roles relating to the management of secretarial teams. • Executive assistant: Experienced personal assistants to partners and senior management. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 7 RETURN TO CONTENTS • Legal secretary – senior: Experienced secretaries or assistants usually with some legal knowledge and enhanced administrative duties, often working with partners or senior lawyers. • Legal secretary – junior: Junior secretaries with limited legal knowledge and administrative responsibilities, typically working with associates. • Evening secretary: Afterhours secretaries. The following tables and charts illustrate the ranges of compensation and billing rates for the report sample. Due to the nature of the report, there are variations in the level of detail provided by respondents. Every attempt has been made to record the data in a common format in order to provide comparative statistics. For each of the previously detailed positions, each table gives the following data: • weighted mean; • median (50th percentile); • arithmetic mean; • Insights average; • first/third quartile (25th/75th percentile firms); • average salary/billing band range; • fifth/95th percentile firms; • number of people in sample; and • number of firms in sample. The weighted mean is calculated using average salary and billing values and employee numbers provided by participating law firms for a given job position. Therefore, firms with a greater number of employees will be given more weight in calculating this figure. The median (50th percentile) is the second quartile and the middle value of all average salary and billing values given by participating firms for a given job position. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 8 RETURN TO CONTENTS The arithmetic mean is calculated using average salary and billing values provided by participating firms for a given job position with no weighting taken into account. The Insights average is a ‘mean of means’, calculated by taking the mean of the weighted mean, median and arithmetic mean. This guidance figure may help to eliminate statistical anomalies which can arise in calculating these various averages. First quartile values represent average salary and billing figures for firms in the 25th percentile of the sample group (typically ‘lower-tier’ firms). Third quartile values represent average salary and billing figures for firms in the 75th percentile of the sample group (typically ‘upper-tier’ firms). The average salary/billing band range figure is the mean of all the ranges between highest and lowest salary/billing rate for each job position at each participating firm. The fifth and 95th percentile values represent average salary and billing figures for firms at the extreme ends of the sample (typically firms at the very bottom and top of the sample group). The number of people in the sample is the total number of people in the sample for a given job position. The number of firms in the sample is the number of participating law firms with relevant personnel in a given job position. Certain data may be omitted in certain employment categories or firm groups due to insufficient sample sizes. Lexology PRO Insights – UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) law firm compensation, benefits and billing report 2024/2025 © Law Business Research 2024 9 RETURN TO CONTENTS United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) Compensation figures are in dirhams (AED) and are annual. All salaries are gross, full time equivalent (FTE 1.0) and include any significant uplifts or allowances, except airfare. They are exclusive of bonuses. Billing rates are hourly and in dirhams. • USD 1 = AED 3.67 • GBP 1 = AED 4.58 Readers will notice isolated anomalies in the average figures for compensation and billing. These are the result of occasional variations in the levels of response, giving rise to some distortions. In these instances, please refer to the charts for a better indication of the overall trend in that particular sector.