International law firm Dechert LLP announced today that Jacques Visser has joined the firm’s financial services and investment management group as a national partner in Dubai. Prior to joining Dechert, Visser ran his own Dubai-based investment management consultancy and previously served as general counsel of Algebra Capital, a leading asset management firm in the Middle East.
“Dechert has the leading financial services and investment funds practice worldwide, with unrivalled strength and depth across the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Jacques joining us further strengthens our Middle East practice, a key area of expansion for both Dechert and the funds industry,” said Peter Astleford, co-head of Dechert’s global financial services practice.
Visser has extensive experience advising on all legal, regulatory, compliance, registration and distribution aspects of setting up funds and investment structures for Middle East and North Africa- (“MENA”) focused investment products, including those listed as equity, fixed income, venture capital, Shari’ah compliant and, especially, private equity.
“Jacques is a highly regarded lawyer with an excellent reputation in the MENA investment management space, and will be a valuable addition to our Dubai financial services capability,” said Chris Sioufi, co-managing partner of Dechert’s Dubai office.
“I am excited at the opportunity to join Dechert’s unrivalled international investment funds practice and to be part of its growing presence in the MENA region. No other firm even comes close to offering a more compelling global platform for my practice,” Visser said.
Visser is a graduate of the University of Witwatersrand, (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Post-Graduate Diploma in Competition Law) and the University of Johannesburg (Master of Laws in Banking & Capital Markets Law), both in Johannesburg. He is qualified as an attorney, notary and conveyancer in South Africa.
