Boyer Law Firm specializes in international law, practicing in Florida and New York. To better serve our clients, we have expanded our legal services through international legal collaboration. These collaborations allow us to provide seamless cross-border legal support. This week, we are excited to introduce our international partner in Dubai—Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants—and showcase how this partnership benefits our clients around the world.
The Emirate of Dubai
Located in the Middle East, Dubai is one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The City of Dubai is uniquely marked by soaring skyscrapers, unique palm islands, robot steered camel racing, and more gold that you have ever seen in one place, earning its nickname, “The City of Gold.” Dubai is well-known for luxury shopping, elaborate architecture, and a bustling nightlife scene. For these reasons and more, it’s no wonder Dubai shines as a popular tourist destination. In fact, in 2019 alone, Dubai attracted over 16.73 million tourists, a record for an Emirate that started from nothing.
Dubai: An Emirate of Expats
In 2020, Dubai was ranked as the 10th best place to live as an expat in the world and the city of Dubai the number 1 City for expats in the Middle East, listing ease of living abroad without local language skills as the number one reason. Dubai’s diverse population, made up of over 80% expatriates, has turned it into one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Expats are drawn to Dubai for its favorable tax environment, luxurious lifestyle, and high-quality education. Thanks to its international appeal, international legal collaboration becomes essential for navigating legal matters such as immigration, property ownership, and business investments.
Americans Living in Dubai
Americans constitute one of the largest western expatriate communities in the United Arab Emirates with more than 50,000 expats, settled mainly in Dubai and to a lesser extent in Abu Dhabi. But for these Americans, expatriation does not mean exile. They maintain ties to the United States, continue to have obligations towards their country, and even pay taxes. Boyer Law Firm is proud to support Americans around the world, whatever their country of residence, in transnational legal matters as they live and work in countries like the United Arab Emirates.
French Nationals Living in Dubai
French nationals form a growing community in Dubai, with over 30,000 French nationals living in the Emirate. International legal collaboration allows us to provide specialized services to French-speaking clients in their preferred language while adhering to both UAE and French legal systems.
Attorney Jouslin Khairallah: A Key Partner in International Legal Collaboration
Mrs. Khairallah is the founder and managing director of Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants, a renowned law firm based in Dubai. Known to be a powerful litigator and advocate, she is admitted to the Bars of the UAE. Additionally, Mrs. Khairallah is admitted to plead before the Federal Supreme Court, the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
Mrs. Khairallah’s experience and proficiency stands out in her field. In 2016, Attorney Khairallah was recognized with the award for best leader by Lawyer Monthly Magazine in the United Arab Emirates. Boyer Law Firm values the partnership for international legal services established with an attorney of her caliber.
Mrs. Khairallah’s firm, Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants, specializes in international law and offers legal expertise in intellectual property law, personal law, and business law. The firm represents both large multinational corporations, as well as individuals. If you want to take the plunge and settle in Dubai, Khairallah Advocates can help you get set-up there with everything required of expats.
What Does International Legal Collaboration Mean for Clients?
International legal collaboration enables law firms to coordinate seamlessly across borders. Legal systems vary greatly between countries, so achieving a successful resolution often requires a combination of local knowledge and global expertise. This approach ensures compliance, efficiency, and the best possible outcomes for clients with transnational legal issues.
Using International Legal Collaboration for Personal Matters
Personal legal matters often involve multiple jurisdictions, requiring international legal collaboration for effective solutions. Common family matters with international implications include divorce, child custody, or enforcement of child support orders—especially where the parties reside in different countries.
Examples include:
- International Probate: Florida is a very attractive place to live, work, and play. Many individuals will own property in Florida without actually being Florida residents. When a non-resident passes away owning property in Florida, administering their estate can be complicated and require what’s known as an ancillary probate proceeding. In this example, you’d need a law team that’s intimately familiar with both Florida Statutes, as well as the law of the deceased’s residence.
- Last Will & Testament: Cross-border coordination can help execute a Last Will and Testament that will be compliant with both jurisdiction’s sets of laws and ensure the proper distribution of assets upon death. It is vitally important in these cases to ensure such actions will be enforceable in all affected countries and states.
- Divorce, Custody, and Child Support: Another common issue involves international divorces and child custody/support issues. When agreements are not in writing, or when they involve multiple jurisdictions, the matter can become complex. One party may refuse to move back and refuses the other parent custody of the child(ren). In such situations, utilizing a cross border legal effort is essential to quickly reaching an amicable solution.
Of course, these are just a few examples of various issues that could arise with international legal matters. Other areas such as collecting a foreign judgment, customs law, and more are all unique situations requiring expertise and experience in international law. With effective cross-border partnerships in place, Boyer Law Firm is well positioned to offer effective legal counsel on a myriad of issues.
How International Legal Collaboration Aids in Business Matters
Whenever companies do business with a company in another country, it is important to involve legal experts from all the affected countries in order to create a seamless transaction. When international business contracts aren’t executed well, the results can be less-than-ideal. That’s where cross-border coordination can really save the day.
Sales contracts, partnership agreements, distribution agreements, investment agreements, and more all require careful consideration of all jurisdictions at hand. Due to the many fundamental differences between legal systems of one country versus another, some provisions of a contract might be illegal, voidable, or simply unenforceable.
For example, in some countries, oral contracts may be perfectly enforceable; in others, they may have no significance whatsoever. The point is, an international law team specializing in complex business matters can help provide a smooth transaction so that clients diminish the risks of having issues hamper what may otherwise be a lucrative business relationship.
Another important area requiring cross border legal coordination involves a business desiring to expand in more than one location. Differing tax regulations, various licenses required, exports/imports restrictions and limitations, and even physical location of the business require careful planning.
The amount and types of business matters are broad and varied in type, scale, and complexity. As such, most require a coordinated, international approach with effective collaboration arrangements in place.
Boyer Law Firm Is Ready to Assist With Your International Case
Through international legal collaboration with partners like Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants, Boyer Law Firm provides comprehensive legal needs for transnational issues. From personal matters such as divorce and probate to complex business transactions, we are here to guide you every step of the way.Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our legal team. Let us help you navigate the complexities of cross-border legal matters with confidence and expertise.
