Herbert Smith is laying down a blueprint for its new Dubai operation, which aims to service a number of emerging markets through a wide range of practices.

The City firm, which hired finance partner Nadim Khan and corporate and private equity partner Zubair Mir from Norton Rose last week, will focus on projects, energy, trusts and funds, but will also look to practise M&A and private client work. Herbert Smith’s swoop on Norton Rose was exclusively revealed by Legal Week.