Baker Botts has launched its third office in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi.  Partner Greg Golden is transferring over from the firm’s DC office to act as Partner in Charge.  Baker Botts is also expanding its other offices in this region, Dubai and Riyadh, due to their growth in number of attorneys.  When the Dubai office opened in 2005, it only had 5 lawyers.  Now it houses more than 20. 

Source:  www.in.sys-con.com

Shibeer Ahmed has joined Baker Botts’ Dubai office.  Previously, Ahmed co-led Lovells’ Middle East practice from 2007, when it launched, through April of this year.  Ahmed specializes in banking, finance, specifically Islamic finance.  Baker Botts launched its Dubai office in 2005.

Source:  www.legalweek.com

SJ Berwin has launched an office in Dubai, less than a month after opening its Hong Kong office.  Tim Taylor and Benjamin Aller, who up to now stationed in London and Paris, respectively, are moving to the Dubai office.  Taylor focuses on litigation, while Aller does mostly private equity fund formation.  Expanding into Asia and the Middle East is a big step for SJ Berwin; previously, the firm concentrated on expanding in Europe.  

Source:  http://www.thelawyer.com/1000307.article

Lovells has formed a real estate practice group in Dubai by recruiting Mohammed Kamal. The former Al Tamimi partner, where he worked from 2004 to 2009. Kamal has joined the firm as of counsel and will be leading the team of three. Lovells launched its Dubai office in 2007.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Another firm has launched in Dubai.  Jones Day has joined the list in the Middle East.  The firm is moving two partners to the city: Arman Galledari, from London, and Sheila Shadmand from Washington.  The Dubai office will have a total of six lawyers, composing an office focused on finance, energy, arbitration and M&A fields.  

Source:  www.legalweek.com

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has decided against former plans to launch an office in the Middle East.  The firm had explored the possibility to open in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but now neither will come to fruition. The firm explained that this decision is based on the economic downturn in the region.  

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

It is official; the first firm in the Middle East has cut jobs. That honor goes to Trowers & Hamlins. Trowers has spent the last four decades in the region, without ever having to say the word redundancy. Until now. The firm has let go 5 attorneys in Dubai, and has made an attorney in each Muscat and Riyadh redundant. This may be just the beginning of a legal decline, in the once booming middle east. Growth in the region has recently been substantial, as the following firms have launched offices there: Dewey & LeBoeuf, Clifford Chance, Latham & Watkins, King & Spalding, Hogan & Hartson, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Allen & Overy, Curtis Mallet-Prevost, and Shearman & Sterling.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Shibeer Ahmed, Lovells’ Dubai head, is jumping ship, but to where is still a mystery. Ahmed has spent nine years with Lovells. He has not announced where he is moving, but says that it will be another firm in Dubai. He will not be accompanied by any associates from Lovells.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Patton Boggs is making itself know in the Middle East. The firm has launched an office Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Although Patton has worked in Abu Dhabi for thirty years, this is the beginning of having resident lawyers in the city. The office will also be working with the firm’s other Middle Eastern offices, inlcuding those in Dubai and Doha, Qatar. The Abu Dhabi office will provide legal service in a number of practice groups, including: private capital and investment funds; banking and financial institutions; international business transactions; construction, infrastructure and real estate; Islamic finance; and litigation and dispute resolution.

Source: www.marketwatch.com

The Washington DC-based law firm of Hogan & Hartson has announced it will open an office in Abu Dhabi, which will be its first office in the Middle East. Heading up the new office will be Ray Batla from Hogan’s London office. The move to Abu Dhabi will allow the firm to work more closely will its current Middle Eastern clients and will also open opportunities for growth in the area.

Source: www.thelawyer.com