Joshua Rubenstein Quoted in Citywealth on UAE Wealth Structuring Trends

Partner and National Chair of Katten's Private Wealth Department Joshua Rubenstein was featured in Citywealth's coverage of the evolving wealth structuring landscape in the United Arab Emirates, including recent legal developments in Dubai and the growing role of foundations, wills and family offices across the region.

Commenting on Dubai's emergence as a premier destination for international wealth planning and governance, Joshua noted its increasing appeal to global families and entrepreneurs outside the United States. "There is no question that Dubai has become a top contender for wealth management and structuring from a trust and family office perspective. It is of particular interest to wealth creators from India and Russia, particularly because of its geographic and time zone proximity."

Joshua also offered perspective on adoption by US families, observing both areas of familiarity and caution as the legal framework continues to mature. "I am not seeing its popularity among American clients, however. On the one hand, Dubai's trust code is borrowed from the US Uniform Trust Code, so it is familiar. On the other hand, American families tend to be litigious, and Dubai's laws are so new that they have not yet been tested in the courts. The Channel Islands, Cayman and Bermuda have hundreds of years of case law precedent, making it easier to predict case outcome, and they are closer."

"UAE Wealth Structuring 2025: New Laws, Foundations, Wills and Global Family Office Trends," Citywealth, November 19, 2025