Herbert Smith confirmed today that it will be opening its office in Abu Dhabi later this month. Underlining the importance of the legal market in Abu Dhabi, Neil Brimson, the firm's Middle East head, will relocate to Abu Dhabi to lead the development of the office, which will be based in Al Bateen Towers. In addition to Neil, the office will initially be staffed by six associates.
The move follows Herbert Smith's announcement last month that it has set up a formal association with Al Ghazzawi Professional Association ("GPA") in Saudi Arabia. The firm already has an extensive track record of advising on major work in Abu Dhabi, particularly in relation to the growing number of major infrastructure and energy projects in the Emirate. Earlier this year, for example, it announced its role advising Hydrogen Energy, the joint venture between BP and Rio Tinto, on plans to build a clean power plant in the Emirate, as part of Abu Dhabi's Masdar multibillion dollar initiative to develop sustainable energy in the region.
Other Abu Dhabi-based clients of the firm include Etisalat, the United Arab Emirates national telecommunications operator, that Herbert Smith has been regularly advising over the last year on its international acquisitions.
Neil Brimson commented:
"We are delighted. It is an opportune and exciting time to be opening in Abu Dhabi and we are committed to developing our presence there. Having an office in Abu Dhabi will enable us to enhance our service to existing clients based in the Emirate and to participate in the extraordinary development of Abu Dhabi that will occur over the coming years."
"We are delighted. It is an opportune and exciting time to be opening in Abu Dhabi and we are committed to developing our presence there. Having an office in Abu Dhabi will enable us to enhance our service to existing clients based in the Emirate and to participate in the extraordinary development of Abu Dhabi that will occur over the coming years."
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