DUBAI - Allen & Overy is delighted to announce that alumnus Tom Butcher is returning to the firm as a partner to head up its Middle East Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) and Intellectual Property (IP) practice, with effect from 20th March, 2016.
This is a significant appointment at a time when Middle East governments are investing in technology to develop sustainable knowledge-based, innovation-led economies to diversify from the traditional hydrocarbon industries. Local and international corporates are also engaging more and more in high value transactions and projects to bring technology to the Middle East and neighbouring African markets.
Tom Butcher returns to the firm after two years at Simmons & Simmons where he headed up their TMT and IP practice in the Middle East and Anglophone Africa and co-chaired the Middle East Growth Market Group. With over a decade of global and local TMT sector experience and more than seven years in the region, Tom has advised public and private sector clients on complex commercial and regulatory projects, digital collaborations as well as mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions. He has particular expertise in strategic outsourcing, technology procurement, data protection and transactional IP. Tom will lead A&O's Middle East Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) and IP practice, advising clients across the TMT, life sciences and healthcare, financial institutions, and energy and infrastructure sectors. He is already regarded as a TMT specialist ranked as a "leading individual" in the UAE by Legal 500, and is described as "up and coming" by Chambers Global 2015.
Commenting on the appointment, Simon Roderick, managing partner Middle East, said: "Tom's appointment boosts our TMT practice and comes at a time of increased activity in the TMT and knowledge industries across the Middle East and Africa."
Andrew Schoorlemmer, head of Allen & Overy's Middle East corporate practice, added: "Tom is a natural fit for A&O and perfectly complements our corporate team with his experience advising clients in the technology sector. In this fast-paced sector in particular, clients value legal advisers that have real depth of understanding and are up to speed with the latest developments and challenges presented by digital disruption."
Tom Butcher said: "I am delighted to be 'coming home' to A&O and look forward to contributing my in-depth TMT and IP experience to deepen the firm's client relationships and strengthen the Middle East and global TMT practices."
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For further information, please contact Farhanah Raza - marketing_middleeast@allenovery.com or +971 4 426 7100.
1. Allen & Overy is an international legal practice with approximately 5000 people, including some 527 partners, working in 44 offices worldwide.
2. In this press release 'Allen & Overy' means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings.
3. The term 'partner' is used to refer to a member of Allen & Overy LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications or an individual with equivalent status in one of Allen & Overy LLP's affiliated undertakings.
Suzy Baxter | Head of Business Development & Marketing, Middle East
Allen & Overy LLP
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© Press Release 2016
