US-headquartered law firms Baker Botts and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius have added partners to their ranks in Dubai.
Alexander Hendry has joined Baker Botts as a partner in the corporate team and head of the Middle East technology practice. He was most recently a senior associate at Latham & Watkins.
Hendry advises clients on corporate and commercial issues relating to space and satellites, digital infrastructure, enterprise IT, outsourcing, fintech, and payments. He also has expertise in commercial contracts in defense, entertainment, sports, media, intellectual property, technology regulatory compliance and data privacy, and in supporting corporate and finance transactions.
Based in the Middle East for five years, Hendry has worked in Singapore for over two years, prior to which he practised in the UK for several years.
“Baker Botts is very prominent in the technology space, which has long been a core industry for the firm,” said Baker Botts managing partner Danny David. “Alexander’s arrival adds additional depth to our technology capabilities in both the Middle East and Asia, particularly in digital infrastructure, one of our key tech subsectors. His cross-border experience will also help our clients achieve their business objectives globally, we are excited to welcome him to the firm.”
His arrival follows that of global projects partner Shane Wilson and counsel Chad Passlow in the Dubai office.
Morgan Lewis, meanwhile, has hired an employment partner from Clyde & Co in Dubai. Rebecca Ford handles contentious and non-contentious employment matters across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider region, the firm said in a statement.
Ford represents clients in employment disputes and advises on a range of employment issues. She has managed cases before the UAE and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts as well as the High Courts of England and Wales in London.
“Rebecca is recognised as a leading employment lawyer in the UAE, and her versatile practice and skillset fits well with our strategy to expand our UAE practice,” said Grace Speights, partner and leader of the firm’s labor and employment practice. “We’re seeing an uptick in discrimination claims and many more investigations due to new labour laws. We are eager to have Rebecca to help guide our clients in these sensitive matters.”
Alishia Sullivan, managing partner of the firm’s Dubai office, added: “Her skills will allow her to collaborate across practices and industries; for example, Rebecca’s work for asset management, banks and other financial firms positions her to successfully support our existing and new clients in this sector.”
Ford’s arrival in the Dubai office follows that of international arbitration and disputes partner Sara K. Aranjo.
