Re:link’s Middle East Client Manager, Simi Ahuja, sat down for a chat with the Linklaters Alumni team to talk about Re:link’s expansion to the Middle East and what she loves about living in sunny Dubai.

Tell us about you and your background, and why you chose to join Re:link as Client Manager for the Middle East?

Joining Re:link as the Client Manager for the Middle East is an exciting milestone in my career, allowing me to bring together over a decade of legal experience, leadership skills, and a passion for driving innovation within the legal industry. As an Australian-qualified lawyer, I’ve built my career around practising law, leading teams, and managing high-stakes, complex legal projects in fast-paced environments.

Before this role, I managed a fluctuating team of 25+ lawyers and paralegals within Linklaters, overseeing large-scale client secondments and recruiting top-tier legal talent. These experiences gave me first-hand insight into the critical need for agile, high-quality legal solutions, especially as client needs rapidly evolve.

Re:link immediately resonated with me because it represents the best of Linklaters' tradition for excellence, rigour, and client dedication—enhanced by a forward-thinking, agile platform. By connecting businesses with on-demand, high-calibre legal professionals, Re:link reimagines how legal services are delivered. The opportunity to be part of this innovative approach, offering tailored solutions to organisations while supporting exceptional lawyers, is very motivating.

What excites me most is the opportunity to build Re:link’s presence in the Middle East. The region is undergoing extraordinary economic and legal transformation, setting the stage for both unique challenges and remarkable opportunities. Re:link’s adaptable model is perfectly suited to help businesses thrive in this evolving landscape. I’m eager to use my experience to foster strong, strategic relationships with clients and support talented lawyers in finding rewarding opportunities to contribute.

This role goes beyond managing day-to-day operations—it’s about rethinking how legal services work and helping businesses and legal professionals succeed in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing regions. I’m thrilled to be part of shaping this future.

You recently relocated to Dubai to lead on the on-the-ground expansion of Re:link in the Middle East. What do you love about living in Dubai?

Relocating to Dubai to lead the expansion of Re:link in the Middle East has been an incredible experience, and living in this vibrant city has made it even more rewarding. Dubai is a true international hub, with the majority of its residents being expats from all over the world. This creates an enriching environment where diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives come together, making every interaction an opportunity to learn and grow.

The city’s scale, energy, and ambition are also truly inspiring—everything here feels bold and forward-thinking. The Linklaters Dubai office reflects these qualities but also stands out for its incredibly supportive and welcoming culture. From day one, the team made me feel right at home, offering both warmth and encouragement.

The weather has been a refreshing change from London so far—there’s something uplifting about constant sunshine! Though I’m told the summer heat is intense! The city’s beaches, skyline views, and stunning desert landscapes offer so much to explore and enjoy outdoors. And being Aussie, I am feeling closer to home!

What I love most about living here, though, is the extraordinary sense of possibility. Dubai is a magnet for ambitious, forward-thinking people, and that energy is infectious. The city’s transformation mirrors what Re:link is all about—delivering agility, innovation, and meaningful opportunities. It’s exciting to contribute to this journey, both professionally and personally, in such a dynamic and inspiring place.

Why did Re:link choose the Middle East as their first international office?

Growing our brand and client base in the UK across the last six years has been very rewarding, but we have for some time been working into other regions and, in particular, with clients in the Middle East. The time was right to build on that momentum and continue our journey of growth. The Middle East was a natural choice given the amount of work we were already doing in the region and the fact that it is a geographically strategic location to best serve our clients.

What has the response been from local clients and stakeholders so far?

Local clients and stakeholders have responded positively to the launch of Re:link in the region. Clients, partners and lawyers have welcomed the flexibility it offers, particularly in managing fluctuating workloads, accessing niche expertise, or supporting urgent projects.

Some have shared that they value the ability to scale their legal teams without committing to permanent hires. Additionally, our existing relationships and strong reputation for legal excellence have reassured clients that the lawyers working with them maintain the same high standards they expect from Linklaters.

What are the future plans for Re:link across the Middle East?

Our future plans for Re:link in the Middle East are firmly focused on growth, market integration, and delivering exceptional value to both clients and legal professionals in the region.

In the short term, we aim to establish ourselves as the go-to platform for flexible and high-quality legal talent, broadening our client base across and expanding our talent pool. We see significant potential to expand our network of highly skilled lawyers based in, or with experience in, the Middle East, so we can offer expertise that aligns with local and regional demands.

Longer term, we are committed to deepening our relationships with clients and stakeholders to ensure we evolve alongside their needs. Our vision is not just to deliver flexible legal solutions but to change how clients in the Middle East think about resourcing, providing an innovative, responsive, and cost-efficient alternative that drives long-term partnerships and sustainable growth.

How does Re:link integrate with other Linklaters initiatives?

Re:link is a part of Limitless, Linklaters’ alternative legal services offering. We collaborate seamlessly with the other Limitless teams – including paralegals, legal tech specialists, and legal project managers – to provide holistic solutions that address the diverse challenges our clients face. Beyond this, we work hand in glove with partners and practice groups, ensuring we align with client objectives and deliver the tailored, high-quality service Linklaters is known for. Together, we operate as one unified team, leveraging complementary expertise to consistently exceed client expectations.

How will the launch of Re:link in the Middle East support the long-term vision and objectives for the platform?

The launch of Re:link in the Middle East marks a significant milestone in our long-term vision to provide exceptional, flexible legal resourcing to Linklaters’ clients, wherever they may be. This aligns seamlessly with Linklaters’ ambition to be the leading global law firm, serving clients wherever they operate. Expanding Re:link into the Middle East allows us to bring our innovative resourcing solutions to this dynamic and growing region, strengthening our ability to support existing clients and forge new relationships. It’s a critical step forward in ensuring we meet clients’ needs with agility, excellence, and a truly global reach.

We’re thrilled to bring Re:link to the Middle East, a region full of opportunity and innovation. We’re excited to build new relationships, deepen existing ones, and demonstrate the value of flexible, world-class legal talent in the Middle East.

Izelle McKelvie, Senior Client Development Manager

“I could not be prouder that Re:link has landed in the Middle East. With Simi’s drive and exceptional talents, we’re looking forward to delivering outstanding resourcing solutions to Linklaters’ valued clients in this dynamic region.”

Martin Laing, Head of Re:link 

For more information about our client offering in the Middle East, or to talk to us about joining the Re:link platform as a flexible lawyer, please reach out to Simi Ahuja, Client Manager.