Shearman & Sterling has vowed to ramp up its corporate and M&A capabilities in Abu Dhabi as part of the office’s five-year plan.
The firm, which has had a presence in the jurisdiction for 30 years, will increase the number of partners from three to six, and triple the number of associates to 30.
The plan will enable the firm to expand its capabilities in the region, incorporating capital markets and corporate.
London managing partner Kenneth MacRitchie said: “We’ve established very strong relationships in Abu Dhabi. Expanding into capital markets and corporate is in response to our key clients in the area. The region has changed dramatically and we need to respond to this.”
With strong relationships with the Abu Dhabi government, the firm is hoping to capitalise on the rise of foreign investment the jurisdiction has experienced in recent years.
Shearman project and development and finance partner Timothy Pick said: “There are a lot of other firms that have moved into Abu Dhabi. We want to maintain the strength we’ve had for a long time. At the moment we have energy and M&A capabilities, building up into other areas will mean we’ll continue to be successful in the Middle East.”
