Christopher Gunson is a partner based in the Dubai office. He primarily represents Japanese multinational companies on all aspects of doing business across the Middle East. He is fluent in Japanese.
Corporate and Business
Christopher’s practice focuses on commercial transactions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance. He advises clients across a broad range of industries including the automotive, trading, manufacturing, industrial services, power, engineering, and oil & gas sectors.
Dispute Resolution
Christopher represents clients in legal proceedings and has appeared before the DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts. He also acts as counsel in arbitration matters under the rules of the LCIA, DIAC, and NAI, among other forums. In addition, he manages complex cross-border disputes and judgment enforcement matters for clients around the world.
He is also a frequent media commentator and occasional author on legal developments in the Middle East and on the oil and gas sector, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Iraq, and has appeared in Bloomberg, Reuters, the Financial Times, and The National (Abu Dhabi), among other publications.
Admissions
New York, 3rd Department
DIFC Courts, Part II
Education
B.A., Rutgers University, 2003
Ritsumeikan University, attended 2001-2003
J.D., Rutgers Law School, 2006
Testimonials
“Chris Gunson always provides excellent value and blends legal and commercial advice to ensure a transaction will progress in a manner agreeable to all parties.”
“Chris is among the best private practice lawyers in the Middle East. He provides top quality advice on numerous subject areas and is highly trusted as a skilled adviser for resolving difficult commercial and legal issues.”
“Christopher gives valuable feedback and finds different approaches to various matters, giving well thought-out pros and cons to each scenario.”
“Christopher Gunson is always going the extra mile to support. His expertise and readiness to assist all the time are best in class.”
“Knowledgeable in a large number of areas and can always be relied on to give effective, quick and informed advice.”
“Christopher Gunson is among the best known lawyers in the Middle East and is a skilled negotiator on a wide variety of commercial, project finance, corporate and energy matters. Chris blends commercial and legal advice seamlessly regardless of the complexity of a transaction.”
“Chris provides excellent value to his clients. Opposing counsel are impressed with the fair and reasonable manner in which Chris negotiates so that both sides are satisfied when a transaction is concluded.”
“Christopher Gunson is one of the few Japanese-speaking lawyers in the Gulf with a wealth of experience in the region.”
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Chambers Global Guide Recommended Lawyer for Corporate & Commercial Contracts in the UAE – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
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Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer for Commercial, Corporate and M&A – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
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Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business (ALB) MENA Super 50 Lawyers – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
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In-House Community Commended External Counsel of the Year – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS /
CORPORATE LAW & ENTITY
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE &
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
TAXATION
Dubai
