CHRISTOPHER GUNSON

PARTNER
Languages

English Japanese

Admissions

New York, 3rd Department, 2007

Education
  • B.A., Rutgers University, 2003
  • Ritsumeikan University, attended 2001-2003
  • J.D., Rutgers Law School, 2006
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AREAS OF EXPERTISE

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Christopher Gunson is a partner based in the Dubai office.  He represents numerous multinational companies on all aspects of business in the Middle East region. This work includes commercial transactions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance.

He is fluent in Japanese and much of his practice involves representing and advising Japanese businesses on matters in the Middle East region.

In addition to his corporate and commercial work, Chris conducts substantial work in the oil and gas sector, and he is a frequent author and commentator in news media concerning developments in the oil and gas sector in Abu Dhabi and Iraq.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Represented Kinden Corporation of Japan in its acquisition of International Electro-Mechanical Services Co. (L.L.C.) of Dubai, UAE.  We carried out the necessary due diligence and all necessary negotiations to close the USD 60 million deal.
  • Represented Kurita Europe GmbH, part of Kurita Water Industries Group, on its joint venture with AquaChemie in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The new company will be operated as a joint venture and will provide water treatment solutions to customers in the Gulf region. The deal value is USD 33 million.
  • Advised a Japanese multinational conglomerate company active in 11 technology business segments on setting up a joint venture entity to replace the existing distributorship agreement between the client and a major Dubai-based engineering company. The deal value is USD 55 million.
  • Advised JFC Japan Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kikkoman Corporation, on a joint venture with Truebell on the establishment of an East Asian food services distribution business.
  • South Asia, in a multi-stage transaction.
  • Represented a Japanese multinational energy company, active in oil, basic chemicals and renewable energy; the second largest petroleum refinery in Japan on its proposed minority investment into one of the largest lube oil blending facilities in the UAE. The client was a Japanese multinational doing its first direct investment into a company established by Emiri decree prior to the first companies law, and there were additional complications in the title to the core assets.  The seller was a Syrian/Saudi/Swiss/French consortium of investors, so cross-border cultural and language considerations also impacted many aspects of the negotiations. The deal value was USD 200 million.
  • Advised a leading premium video-on-demand service for emerging markets on the dismissal of its General Counsel in the UAE and offer continual representation in the ongoing criminal case against him for theft. The deal value was AED 1.6 million.
  • Assisted a Japanese multinational, one of the top commercial vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers, with the termination of employment of regional head of legal. The work involved intense negotiations and we had to ensure that our client adhered to the correct application of regulatory and legislative norms, as well as processes, in order to avoid grounds for a possible litigation.
  • Assisted a Japanese multinational photography and imaging company with investigating the misconduct of one of its regional sales heads. We ensured the client’s adherence to correct disciplinary procedures and the lawful implementation of their final decision to terminate the employee’s employment.

RECOGNITION

  • Chambers Global Guide Chambers Global Guide

    Recommended Lawyer for Corporate & Commercial Contracts in the UAE – 2022, 2023, 2024

  • Legal 500 Legal 500

    Recommended Lawyer for Commercial, Corporate and M&A – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

  • Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters

    Asian Legal Business (ALB) MENA Super 50 Lawyers – 2021, 2022, 2023

  • In-House Community In-House Community

    Commended External Counsel of the Year – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020



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