Links sends partner to Dubai after Latham raid

Linklaters has parachuted London banking partner James Martin into Dubai following a raid by Latham & Watkins.

The move comes after Latham poached Linklaters' Dubai banking partner Tim Ross as the US firm seeks to significantly bolster its presence in the region.

Nick Eastwell, regional managing partner of the Emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EEMENA) practice, said: "James is going out to Dubai to replace Tim. With Sarosh Mewawalla, a projects and banking partner in Milan, also arriving now in Dubai we're covered for the foreseeable future at partner end for the banking practice in Dubai."

Ross, who has worked for clients including Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, Calyon and Citi, has been based in Dubai since 2006 and joined Latham yesterday (1 September).

His move follows news that Latham & Watkins is to relocate five partners to Abu Dhabi and Dubai (as reported on TheLawyer.com, 8 July).

High-yield partner Bryant Edwards and M&A partner Charles Fuller are relocating to Dubai, together with corporate partner Nick O'Keefe from Silicon Valley and projects partner Ken Schuhmacher from New York. They will be accompanied by a team of associates.

In addition, projects partner Dennis Nordstrom is moving from London to Abu Dhabi, also with a team of associates.

Eastwell, said that Linklaters' Dubai office was growing with the addition of 18 lawyers over the course of this year, the majority having been relocated from other offices.

As well as those joining the banking team, there is expansion into the real estate, corporate, capital markets and projects groups.