Shane Morton

Partner | Head of Middle East, Africa and Türkiye

UAE

Shane graduated from Cambridge University with a first-class law degree before training and qualifying at a leading professional services firm. He has worked in the legal recruitment sector since 1999 and managed an office in Hong Kong, recruiting throughout Asia.

Shane joined Taylor Root in 2003 with a focus on partner-level recruitment for UK and US law firms in London, relocating to Dubai in 2007 to establish and manage the Middle East office. He handles the recruitment of lawyers across the Middle East region at all levels, with a leading reputation for lateral partner hires.

SHANE’s Insights

  • Market Insight

Abu Dhabi’s Investment Fund boom: What it means for the Legal sector

  • Posted July 2, 2025
Abu Dhabi is undergoing a transformative shift in its financial landscape, rapidly emerging as a serious global contender in investment fund management. Once known primarily for its sovereign wealth funds, the capital is now attracting a growing number of hedge funds, private equity firms, and family offices relocating or expanding into the region. The Abu […]
  • Market Insight

How legal salaries in the Middle East are evolving in 2025

  • Posted May 29, 2025
Over the past 12–18 months, we’ve seen significant shifts in the salary landscape for lawyers across the Middle East. As firms adjust to changing market conditions, talent expectations, and broader economic developments, compensation trends reflect both opportunity and challenge. Market rebalancing: For years, Middle East hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh offered highly competitive […]
  • Market update

Middle East legal market update – May 2025

  • Posted May 14, 2025
What I’m seeing in the Middle East Legal market right now I’ve had so many conversations lately – both with lawyers considering a move to the Middle East and with firms struggling to hire – that I thought it might be helpful to share some reflections from the recruiter’s seat. The legal market in the […]
  • DEI

IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge: Female Leaders Across The Globe

  • Posted March 12, 2021
During this past year we have been challenged beyond what could ever have been reasonably conceivable. In such unprecedented times and a period of incredible upheaval and tremendous uncertainty, why then should we also #ChooseToChallenge, on top of the daily challenges that we have no choice about? Because, whilst we have come so far, there […]
  • DEI

IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge: Sara Khoja

  • Posted March 12, 2021
Disclaimer: Please note that all commentary and opinions provided in this interview are those of the individual and not the organisation/company they are employed by.  What skills and attributes do female leaders bring to create diverse leadership at management level?My experience is that they are more focused on consensus and coaching their team members to […]
  • Market update

What does Brexit mean for job movements?

  • Posted September 12, 2019
Listen to Shane Morton being interviewed on Business Breakfast about how Brexit has influenced the number of Britons looking for expat jobs in the UAE. https://omny.fm/shows/businessbreakfast/taylor-root-29-08-2019/embed?style=cover