Denton Wilde Sapte is making a last-ditch attempt to hold on to global Islamic finance head Rahail Ali, who is set to lead a three-lawyer team to help Lovells launch in Dubai.

As revealed on legalweek.com today (5 February) the London firm is to open in Dubai in May with the hire of Ali and will transfer London banking and project finance partner Shibeer Ahmed to Dubai to head up the office.