11 Nov Why Marsden? Sonia Patel
Sonia Patel joined Marsden in 2016 and is Head of our Middle East Private Practice Group. She focuses on associate and partner recruitment across the GCC and has developed a market-leading practice from our London office.
After graduating with a law degree during the 2008 recession, she connected with a rec-to-rec (a recruiter who specialises in finding recruiters) who introduced her to the industry. It appealed to her strengths, and in 2010 she began her career in non-legal recruitment.
From 2013 to 2015, Sonia was based in Dubai, recruiting lawyers into both in-house and private practice roles. After relocating back to London, she was introduced to Marsden and its founder, Jonathan Marsden. Joining the firm also brought her back to working with Aaron Faith, a leading name in Middle East in-house recruitment who set up Marsden’s Dubai office in 2016. “Jonny and Aaron offered me a fantastic opportunity to do Middle East legal recruitment, using my skills, contact and experience, but from London.”
Since 2019, Sonia has focused exclusively on private practice in the Middle East. She has placed lawyers at all levels, from NQ to partner, in top-tier international and domestic firms across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Around 65% of her candidates move to the region, with the remainder moving between firms within the Middle East.
Having lived and worked in Dubai, Sonia offers grounded and practical advice, helping candidates navigate both the legal sector and life on the ground. “People often think that it will be a restrictive environment, but it is very expat-oriented and is great for both the single lifestyle and with a family.”
Sonia travels to Dubai each quarter to meet with candidates and clients. “Building relationships is very important in the UAE market, where face to face contact is particularly valued.” She recruits across international and regional firms, with strong demand in corporate, construction and projects, banking and finance, and international arbitration, particularly as the Dubai International Arbitration Centre continues its global growth.
At Marsden, Sonia has been able to build her practice on her own terms, working flexibly from home and the London office. She starts early to align with Gulf time zones and is home in the afternoon for her dog, Chewie. “At Marsden it is a very supportive environment, and it is a genuine team, with a family feel.”
Sonia has no regrets about stepping off the traditional legal path. She’s developed a trusted network across the Middle East and continues to find real purpose in the work she does. “I love being able to make a genuine difference to peoples’ careers and improve their lives, whether it is providing a better work-life balance or a greater platform to develop on. In the Middle East, teams tend to be leaner which enables lawyers to take on broader roles, often with higher levels of responsibility and client exposure than they would get elsewhere.”
Sonia’s past candidates and clients agree and value her approach. “I felt that Sonia genuinely cared about me as a candidate and found a number of exceptional opportunities tailored to my requirements,” said one. Another commented: “Sonia is well connected in the Middle East and responsive to what is required when looking for, and placing, staff. She’s friendly and persistent in equal measures and someone to whom it is absolutely worth reaching out. She’ll have your best interests front and centre every time.”