Eversheds given nod for Abu Dhabi office

Eversheds has been granted a licence to launch an office in Abu Dhabi in a move designed to strengthen the firm's Middle East practice.

Chris Jobson, the firm's Qatar managing partner, will take responsibility for the whole Middle East region.

Alan Jenkins, Eversheds chairman and international chief, said Abu Dhabi is looking to diversify and grow rapidly, which will benefit the firm's Middle East and India practices.

"Abu Dhabi's burgeoning economy has a strong focus on financial services, real estate and telecoms and, in particular, the emirate aims to be a global leader in the renewables market," said Jenkins. "These are all sectors where Eversheds has a very strong track record and a wealth of insight to bring to the diversification programme."

In addition to Jobson, corporate partner Kuljit Ghata-Aura,?banking associate Mark Lisgo, associate Geraldine McDonald and corporate solicitor Dawn Sanderson will also be parachuted in to Abu Dhabi to set up the office, which will service clients such as HSBC and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

The news comes as DLA Piper is set to formally launch in Abu Dhabi, with Dubai-based projects and finance partner Stephen Webb as managing partner.