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DAC Beachcroft said in an announcement on its website on 26 October 2026 that it had opened an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking its first presence in the Middle East. The firm said the move forms part of its international growth strategy and is intended to strengthen its work with clients in the insurance and health sectors.
Key points
- The new office sits within the DIFC Square development inside the Dubai International Financial Centre.
- Khurram Shamsee, a partner and the firm’s Head of Business Advisory, takes on the role of Managing Partner for the branch.
- Three partners, Michael Morris, Michael Ducker and Mark Beswetherick, have joined the Dubai office after moving across from Clyde & Co.
- DAC Beachcroft said the trio bring more than 40 years’ combined experience in the region, along with long-standing client relationships.
- The Dubai launch follows earlier moves by the firm, including an office opened in Miami in February, plus offices opened in Hong Kong and Lima during 2024 and strategic associations formed in Ecuador and Australia in 2025.
New Middle East team
Michael Morris began his legal career at DAC Beachcroft before relocating to the UAE, where he most recently worked as a litigation partner and led Clyde & Co.’s insurance practice for the Middle East. Michael Ducker has been based in Dubai since 2016 and previously co-led the healthcare group covering the Middle East and Africa at Clyde & Co. Mark Beswetherick returns to DAC Beachcroft from an earlier stage of his career, having formerly headed the insurance and dispute resolution group at Clyde & Co. in Dubai.
Gustavo Blanco, Head of International Business at DAC Beachcroft, said: “Mike, Mark and Mike are an established, cohesive team with an exceptional reputation in the Middle East market.”
Wider expansion
Helen Faulkner, Managing Partner of DAC Beachcroft, said: “Opening in the Middle East has long been a strategic priority for the firm.” The firm said the DIFC launch follows its expansion in the US, where it opened in Miami in February and added a team in Los Angeles, as well as office openings in Hong Kong and Lima during 2024 and strategic associations with firms in Ecuador and Australia in 2025.