Bird & Bird hires Al Jazeera legal chief for Middle East practice
Bird & Bird has appointed Al Jazeera Network’s chief legal officer Osama Abu-Dehays as a partner to strengthen its media and sports practice in the Middle East.
Abu-Dehays will split his time between the firm’s Qatar and UAE offices, focusing on Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but with wider responsibilities covering the Middle East and North Africa regions.
Abu-Dehays has gained experience in the TMT and sports sector in the region through his post at Al Jazeera and his previous positions of chief legal officer at Arab Media Group and deputy head of legal at Middle East Broadcasting Corporation.
Bird & Bird’s Middle East head Mark Pinder said in the statement that Abu-Dehays’ sector-based background is a great fit for the firm that will complements the firm’s development in the region.
Abu-Dehays noted that the region has proven its ability to present itself as a global player in the fields of sports and media.
Bird & Bird recently reported 10 per cent revenue growth for 2011-12 financial year, posting turnover of £235m (1 June 2012).
