United Arab Emirates - Allen & Overy LLP said today it is giving a major boost to its presence in the Middle East with the announcement that 20 partners and associates are relocating to its offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh - taking its total number of lawyers in the region over 100 for the first time.
Middle East managing partner Simon Roderick says the moves follow "record growth across the region" and confirm Allen & Overy's commitment to supporting its long-standing clients in the Middle East.
Simon continues: "As we celebrate 30 years in Dubai and a very successful first anniversary for our office in Abu Dhabi and associated office in Riyadh, demand for our expertise has never been higher. We've developed incredibly strong relationships with our clients over that time and it is their success that is driving our growth and investment in the region. The calibre of the partners and associates relocating underlines the opportunities that both we and our clients see here."
Managing partner Wim Dejonghe adds: "Our strategy of international investment is a long-term commitment, as our 30-year presence in the Middle East demonstrates. Expansion is not only about opening new offices. It is also a commitment to our clients to invest in deepening our local roots and supporting them as they grow."
Wim continues: "What is pleasing about these appointments is their international nature, with partners and associates from seven different offices across Europe, the U.S. and Asia making the move. Congratulations to each of the partners on their new roles and what promises to be an exciting new stage in their career."
The partners relocating are:
-Corporate partner Andrew Schoorlemmer, moves to Dubai from London to take over as head of the corporate practice from Pervez Akhtar, who has been appointed Executive Director at key client Abraaj Capital;
-Corporate partner Johannes Bruski, moves to Riyadh from Frankfurt
-Banking partner Nicholas Crossin, moves to Abu Dhabi from Singapore;
-Corporate partner Tom Levine, moves to Abu Dhabi from London;
-Real Estate and Funds partner Nick Smith, moves to Dubai from London; and
-Corporate partner Chris Thornes moves to Dubai from the London office.
The associates moving to the region come from New York, Paris, London, Milan, Frankfurt and Brussels and work across the Banking, Corporate, International Capital Markets and Real Estate practices.
Allen & Overy has had an office in Dubai since 1978 - celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The office, A&O's first and largest in the region, has grown into a major force and will expand to a total of 75 fee earners including 11 partners. Our lawyers include Arabic speakers, who have experience in working on some of the largest, most complex and unique transactions in the region for a variety of high-profile clients.
A&O's Abu Dhabi office is celebrating a very successful first anniversary following its launch in 2007 and will be expanded to 22 fee earners including five partners. The highly experienced team includes a number of leading Abu Dhabi practitioners who bring extensive expertise and understanding of local practices, clients and transactions.
With growing demand for quality international legal services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to ensure Allen & Overy is best placed to advise both our increasingly strategic Saudi client base and international clients looking at large transactions in the Kingdom, Allen & Overy has established an associated office with the Abdulaziz AlGasim Law Firm, a leading Saudi legal firm known for its expertise and specialisation in Islamic finance, corporate matters, capital markets, and cooperative insurance in the Saudi law context. The office will be expanded to a total of 11 fee earners, including two partners.
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About Allen & Overy
Allen & Overy is an international legal practice with approximately 5,500 staff, including over 500 partners, working in 29 major centres worldwide.
Allen & Overy Dubai was named Best Legal Team at Terrapinn's Private Equity World Awards MENA 2007; A&O also won" M&A" and "Debt and Equity-linked Deal of the Year" at the IFLR Awards 2007.
Allen & Overy has been at the forefront of developments in the burgeoning Islamic finance market having worked on a large number of international sukuk issues to date including what is generally recognised as being the first ever internationally marketed sukuk issue - the Government of Malaysia global sukuk issue in 2002.
In this press release 'Allen & Overy' means Allen & Overy LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Campbell McIlroy
Tel:+44 20 3088 2783
Email: campbell.mcilroy@allenovery.com
Press Release 2008
