Dewey London Partner in Gibson Dunn Dubai Switch

Mitri Najjar will split his time between Gibson's London and Dubai offices
Dewey & LeBoeuf has lost London-based corporate finance partner Mitri Najjar to rival firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. Najjar will now divide his time between Gibson Dunn's offices in London and Dubai. Najjar -- who becomes one of the first partners to leave Dewey & LeBoeuf following its merger last year -- has previously advised a number of clients in the Gulf region. Gibson Dunn opened its Dubai office last year.

Sofia Lind

Legal Week

2008-02-05 12:00:00 AM

Dewey & LeBoeuf has lost London-based corporate finance partner Mitri Najjar to rival U.S. law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. Najjar will now divide his time between Gibson Dunn's offices in London and Dubai.

Najjar -- who becomes one of the first partners to leave Dewey & LeBoeuf following its merger last year -- has previously advised a number of clients in the Gulf region.

He said Gibson Dunn's Middle East platform was a major factor behind his move, commenting: "The region is experiencing a tremendous economic boom, and I look forward to being a part of the growth."

Gibson Dunn opened its Dubai office last year, relocating veteran tax partner Peter Baumbusch from Washington, D.C., to head up the firm's practice in the region.

Commenting on the latest hire, Baumbusch said: "His contacts and his ability to speak Arabic fluently will be a tremendous benefit to our clients."

Gibson Dunn managing partner Ken Doran added: "[His] transactional practice is very complementary to our own focus for the Gulf region."

Gibson Dunn becomes the latest U.S. firm to ramp up its investment in the Middle East, with Texas giant Fulbright & Jaworski last month hiring one new partner in Qatar and relocating another from its London arm to Dubai.

DLA Piper and White & Case, meanwhile, have both announced their intention to launch new offices in the region in 2008.