DLA Piper’s Abu Dhabi boss follows well-worn trail to DLA Phillips Fox

Projects and finance partner Webb, who launched the firm’s Abu Dhabi office in 2008, relocated to the Brisbane office of DLA Phillips Fox at the end of October and is no longer a member of the DLA Piper partnership.

Webb’s move mirrors that of a number of Middle East lawyers, such as partners Peter Monk and Damian McNair, who were poached from Australian firms when DLA Piper was expanding in the Gulf and then ­seconded to DLA Phillips Fox when the downturn hit.

A statement released by DLA Piper said: “Stephen established and managed what continues to be one of our most successful offices in the region. He’s made a considerable contribution to the firm and […] has relocated to the Brisbane office of DLA Phillips Fox. [He] continues to work on projects in Asia and the Middle East and we’re delighted that we’ll continue to benefit from his experience and skills.”

DLA Piper Middle East managing partner Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout is now overseeing the Abu Dhabi office.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “We relocated projects partner Andrew Hodgman from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to work alongside real estate partner Duncan Pickering and finance partner Debbie Barbour.

“Abu Dhabi remains a key market for us and our finance and projects team in the office continues to advise on the largest and most active infrastructure projects in the region.”

DLA Piper began ­expanding into the Middle East when it launched its Dubai office in 2006.