Cairo may not be as popular as Dubai, the Middle East hub for international lawyers, but it’s definitely making its mark.
International law firms in Cairo have largely attracted corporate and commercial lawyers with backgrounds in projects and resources. However recent hiring trends to the city have shown a growing demand for international arbitration and construction lawyers.
LPA private practice senior consultant Louise Carr told ALB that her company has been working with a highly rated local firm in Cairo looking to hire lawyers with expertise in international arbitration and contentious construction; LPA has recently placed a COO with the firm.
Carr says that while the flow of lawyers into this market is not strong, salary packages offered to international lawyers working in the city compare favourably with neighbouring Middle Eastern countries. International lawyers with 4-6 years PQE can expect to earn a basic salary of EGP40,000 to 50,000 per month (US7,000 to 9,000) plus additional monies for housing and car allowance, in addition to working on local and international matters. “Lawyers in Egypt can expect a mix of domestic, Middle East and international work,” said Carr. “[The] work ethic within the international and top local firms is similar to those within firms in developed jurisdictions in terms of expectations on billable hours and productivity levels.”
However, lawyers who are looking to relocate to Cairo from Asia and Australia or other western jurisdictions should be prepared for a different lifestyle. “Cairo is less developed than neighbouring Middle East countries and the lack of infrastructure can be frustrating,” Carr said. “However, the city offers a much more genuine cultural experience.”
- Annie Dang
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