Newswatch · Middle East
The week's lateral moves, promotions, offices, mergers and pay across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, sourced and checked.
PromotionsCovington promotes Marc Norman to Dubai partner in 15-lawyer classCovington's new partnership class adds a Dubai data center and project finance specialist as Gulf infrastructure capital draws rival firms.
OfficesSullivan & Cromwell joins the rush to Abu DhabiS&C's first Middle East office, led by alumnus Ahmed el-Gaili from Latham, follows Skadden and Kirkland into ADGM as sovereign capital drives demand.This week · 5–11 October 2026
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Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, described as a "sleeping giant" in the Gulf, is investing in its corporate and finance practice to catch up with rivals, following four lateral hires.
Ashurst Perkins Coie announced the appointment of James Burdett as partner in its Investment Funds practice, based in Abu Dhabi. The firm says this strengthens its private capital offering across the Middle East. He advises fund sponsors and investors, including sovereign wealth funds.
SourceThe Oath (Middle East)
Baker McKenzie's Middle East investment funds head has departed, the third Baker McKenzie practice group head to leave since late August. The outlet says this highlights growing retention challenges for the firm in the Middle East. Destination and name not stated.
Linklaters announced Mohammed Almarzouki will join as a partner in its corporate practice on 1 October, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has over a decade's experience advising on M&A, joint ventures and corporate matters.
SourcesLaw.com International — Middle East & AfricaThe Oath (Middle East)
Covington has promoted 15 new lawyers to its partnership. Marc Norman takes the partnership role in the firm's Dubai office. Covington chair Doug Gibson said the new partners practice across a range of areas critical to clients.
Fasken named pensions partner Ludwig Frahm-Arp to lead its South African team. It rehired finance partner Bontle Bopape less than a year after she left for an in-house role.
Pinsent Masons has appointed William (Bill) Reichert as head of its Abu Dhabi office. He is a partner in the firm's corporate practice with more than 30 years of experience. He advises multinational corporations, private equity sponsors, institutional investors and founders.
SourceThe Oath (Middle East)
LIV Golf Inc. paid more than $7.1 million to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in discounted legal fees while the once Saudi Arabian-backed golf circuit was shedding much of its workforce, according to bankruptcy court records. Source is a social post.
Freshfields advised Banner Ridge on acquiring limited partner interests representing about $280 million of capital commitments in True Green Capital Fund III, L.P., via a tender offer to existing investors. The transaction closed in September 2026. The team was led by Partner Ivet Bell; Partners Sarah Katz and David Nicolardi advised on tax and regulatory matters respectively.
SourceFreshfields — news
Paul Weiss and Debevoise & Plimpton have taken the lead roles as Schneider Electric agrees to acquire PTC for $22.6bn in an all-cash acquisition. Debevoise is leading on the buy side. Paul Weiss head Barshay is on the sell-side team.
SourceLegal Business
Letizia Santin of BonelliErede examines how the New UAE Civil Code reshapes construction arbitration, covering hardship, termination, liquidated damages and risk allocation. The excerpt says Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 entered into force on June 1, 2026.
SourceThe Oath (Middle East)
DSK Legal and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu advised KRS Corporation, a Japanese logistics provider, on acquiring a majority stake in Coldrush Logistics for an undisclosed amount. The deal involves a primary subscription to new Coldrush shares and a secondary purchase from existing shareholder Hydra Commercial Investments, which is UAE-based.
SourceLaw.asia
Squire Patton Boggs advised sovereign-wealth fund Arab Invest on acquiring a 15 per cent stake, representing USD37.5 million, in regional healthcare operator AKDITAL KSA. The deal runs through a partnership with AKDITAL Group and private equity firm Mediterrania Capital Partners (MCP).
SourceThe Oath (Middle East)
Confirmed items are announced by the firm or reported as fact by the cited outlets. Unconfirmed items are reports the firms have not confirmed. Every item links to its sources; we add nothing the sources do not say.
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