Dubai: lateral market monitor

Sartori & Partners data show 108 lateral moves in Dubai from November 2025 to October 2026, 0.8% of all lateral moves we tracked. On settled windows the count went from 96 to 113 (+17.7%), a change inside the noise of the two counts, so we read it as flat.

Partners account for 26.9% of movers, near the market's 27.7%. On settled windows partner moves alone went from 25 to 33 (+32.0%), a change inside the noise of the two counts, so we read it as flat. 18.5% of movers stepped up a level when they changed firm, against 12.9% for the market.

46 firms hired at least one lateral in Dubai in the window. Ten firms account for 44.4% of arrivals, against 12.9% across the market: concentrated. Addleshaw Goddard ranks first by lateral arrivals, in the 6-10 band.

By practice, Litigation & Disputes comes first, involved in 31.5% of arrivals here (39.9% across the market). 30.1% of movers also changed city, against 20.5% market-wide.

With volume in Dubai holding level, a hire depends on a specific reason to move, which a firm has to put in front of the candidate.