Clydes recruits two partners to Abu Dhabi

Clyde & Co has boosted its Middle East presence with the hire of Islamic insurance (takaful) partner Peter Hodgins.

It follows the addition of Abu Dhabi real estate lawyer Scott Aitken to the firm’s partnership.

Hodgins joins from DLA Piper, where he helped establish its affiliate offices in Dubai and Riyadh.

Aitken will head a four-lawyer team based in Abu Dhabi ;that ;advises ;on onshore ;and ;offshore ­structuring for ownership, leasing and licensing of hotels and estates.

In January Clydes said it would look to the Australian legal market to ­bolster its three Middle East offices (The Lawyer, 5 January).