Kiersten Lucas
Partner
Kiersten is a pre-eminent employment Partner in the Middle East, providing international clients with bespoke, commercial employment law advice and solutions.
Partner
Kiersten is a pre-eminent employment Partner in the Middle East, providing international clients with bespoke, commercial employment law advice and solutions.
Languages - English
Jurisdictions - England & Wales, United Arab Emirates
Kiersten leads the Middle East employment team and is one of the most pre-eminent international employment lawyers in the region.
She works in close collaboration with clients' senior management, in-house counsel and HR teams on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters arising under the UAE Federal Labour Law, the employment laws of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and English law.
Kiersten has a particularly well-established reputation in a number of areas of key importance to our clients, including complex and sensitive workplace investigations (including whistleblowing disclosures); restrictive covenants/protection of confidential information; high value hires, exits and litigation; the employment law implications of financial services regulatory obligations/contraventions; and the structuring and implementation of employee incentive arrangements.
Known for her client-focused approach and extensive knowledge, Kiersten is sought after for her ability to deliver efficient, professional and responsive legal services across borders and offices which helps client adhere to local legal requirements/best practice whilst also ensuring consistency with overarching global practices and precedents. She is also a published author (on business protection and DIFC Employment Law) and is regularly approached to present on employment topics both regionally and globally.
Conduct of DIFC Courts employment disputes
Successful defence of claim against our client in the DIFC Court of Appeal, which set a leading legal precedent on the approach to construing contract terms under the DIFC Contract Law and the interpretation of the penalty regime under the DIFC Employment Law.
Business protection dispute
Successfully defeating (without recourse to litigation) high value/high stakes allegations of conspiracy, breach of confidence, inducing breach of contract and data protection breaches made against the managing partner and one of the principal co-investors of a multinational investment manager.
Workplace investigations
Providing strategic support to clients on the conduct of sensitive workplace investigations, including on the terms of reference/scope of the investigation, conducting interviews, confidentiality/privilege, outcomes and managing communications with stakeholders.
Cross border business relocation
Providing comprehensive legal, regulatory and strategic support to the founder of a regulated financial services entity on the successful relocation of the business from the UK to the DIFC, including advising on staff transfers and exits, and localising employment documentation.
Employee incentive arrangements
Guiding a New York headquartered global investment manager through structuring and implementing changes to its employee incentive arrangements for UAE and UK-based staff.
New business entry into the UAE market
Supporting a leading UK headquartered digital marketing, events and communications agency with engaging their first employees in the UAE, providing advice on local employment law and best practice and producing the necessary documentation for them.
Senior executive exit arrangements
Advised the founder of a regional activewear brand regarding the strategic sale of their majority stake in the business to private equity investors and transition out of their senior management role with the brand.
Employment documentation, recruitment and exits
Trusted employment law advisor to a number of luxury retail brands in respect of their operations in the Middle East, UK and KSA on day-to-day operational employment/HR matters.
