Middle East: scramble for UAE presence continues apace

Linklaters and Holman Fenwick & Willan have joined the City law firm rush to open offices in Dubai.


Linklaters will open its first office in the Middle East, and 30th worldwide, after hiring Clifford Chance partner Ewan Cameron to lead the new practice. Mr Cameron was formerly head of corporate and securities at Clifford Chance's Dubai office.


The office will be launched in early 2006 with two other partners: corporate specialist Scott Campbell, who also joins from Clifford Chance, and Jonathan Inman, a projects partner currently based in Linklaters' London office, who will focus on general finance work.


Senior partner Anthony Cann said: 'The pace of economic and political change in the Middle East is significant, fuelling a demand for premium legal advice as investment into and out of the region increases.'


Meanwhile shipping and commercial firm Holman Fenwick & Willan is to take over the Dubai office of Hill Taylor Dickinson.


The firms agreed a deal that will see the three Dubai-based Hill Taylor partners - Edward Newitt, Rula Dajani and Richard Jowett - move to Holmans from 1 February 2006. All other staff will be given the opportunity to transfer and Holmans will also take over the firm's lease and other local commitments.


Ashurst and Simmons & Simmons are among those to have recently opened in Dubai.