Founding Partner
Davidson & Co. — Dubai, UAE
Renowned entrepreneur, lawyer and trusted advisor. With 26 years of Middle East experience, Jonathan has acted for SMEs, institutions, developers, investors, public companies, and private individuals across the UAE. A pillar of the British business community in Dubai.
Get to know Jonathan Davidson and learn how Davidson & Co. can support your legal needs in the UAE.
Founded in 2008 by Jonathan Davidson, the firm has grown steadily by attracting lawyers with deep experience across Dubai and the GCC — now offering a multilingual team drawn from four continents.
Our lawyers and staff hail from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, India, Pakistan, and Lebanon — giving us the cultural fluency to serve a diverse international clientele.
Fluent in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi — we meet clients in their own language, not just ours.
Our lawyers bring decades of private practice experience with respected local and international law firms, plus in-house roles at UAE government companies and NASDAQ/FTSE-listed organisations.
A proud member of the International Fraud Group (IFG) — an alliance of 30+ handpicked firms across 50+ countries dedicated to combating cross-border fraud and recovering stolen assets worldwide.
Every member of our team strives to understand the needs of our clients' businesses, to add value wherever possible, and to ensure ongoing development and success.
We are always one step ahead to advise on the changes in the law and serve our clients' needs as they arise.
We maximise opportunities for our clients whilst protecting their interests.
We see ourselves as your partners in business as we too share the vision that the Rulers of the UAE have set for the years ahead.
We recognise that for our clients to be risk takers and achieve their desired goals, sound legal and commercial advice is required from the beginning. Through our sector expertise and in-depth understanding of the region, we advise our clients on a range of legal services providing tailor-made advice to fit their individual needs.
A local firm operated by lawyers drawn from across the globe, with international training and experience — delivering the best of both worlds.
We've created a flexible, friendly, and efficient office designed to meet client needs in a seamless and stress-free manner — because we believe the journey matters as much as the outcome.
We actively encourage startups and young companies to draw upon our 50+ years of collective experience in the region. Our wide range of expertise serves established enterprises with billions in turnover just as thoughtfully as new ventures.
Our approach to legal services is welcomed by large and small companies alike — we bring energy, commercial awareness, and a genuine partnership mindset to every relationship.
Jonathan Davidson is a distinguished entrepreneur and lawyer who has been at the heart of the UAE's legal and business landscape for over a quarter of a century. As Founding Partner at Davidson & Co., he leads one of Dubai's most respected independent law firms.
Arriving in Dubai in March 1999, Jonathan spent nearly a decade working within UAE sovereign wealth organizations before establishing his own firm in October 2008. This institutional background gives him a rare depth of insight into the region's governmental, regulatory, and commercial frameworks.
Over the past 26 years, Jonathan has built an enviable track record acting for:
When you work with Jonathan, you gain more than a lawyer — you gain a strategic partner deeply embedded in the UAE's business, government, and legal ecosystem.
Arriving in Dubai in March 1999, Jonathan has witnessed — and shaped — the UAE's extraordinary transformation. His institutional knowledge spans sovereign wealth, real estate, corporate structuring, and cross-border commerce.
Before founding Davidson & Co. in 2008, Jonathan worked across multiple UAE sovereign wealth organizations — giving him an insider's understanding of how government and institutional stakeholders operate, think, and decide.
As Vice Chairman of Legalink — a network of 60+ law firms worldwide — and with 15 years as Director of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai, Jonathan opens doors to legal expertise and business connections across every continent.
As Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee of British Business Groups UAE and Chairman of the SME Task Force for the UAE-UK Business Council, Jonathan sits at the intersection of government and commerce — shaping bilateral trade policy and championing British business across the Emirates.
"I made the decision to meet with Jonathan Davidson after a recommendation from a friend and I'm beyond grateful. Jonathan Davidson is a distinguished and remarkable professional in his field. Not only does Jonathan bring remarkable professionalism to every case, but he is deeply respected within the legal community for his exceptional approach that sets him apart. The intelligence and thoroughness with which he handled my case gave me the confidence to proceed knowing I was in the best possible hands."
"Jonathan at Davidson & Co has been a trusted advisor since I moved to the UAE in 2017. I appreciate the fact that they listen first, not just running up billable hours but actually understanding the challenge to then provide practical advice. The recommendations and introductions have also been a great source of value for my business. A modern law firm."
References available upon request. Connect with Jonathan directly via WhatsApp for introductions.
Whether you're an SME navigating business setup, an institution managing complex transactions, or a private individual seeking trusted legal guidance — Jonathan Davidson and Davidson & Co. bring 26 years of proven regional expertise to every engagement.
Connect Jonathan directly through Relocate2UAE for priority introduction