Baker McKenzie has promoted three lawyers to the partnership in the Middle East, including two women.
Laya Aoun-Hani, Hessa AlAiban, and Tamim AlKhudhayri have joined the firm’s partnership, effective July 1, 2024.
Aoun-Hani specialises in the firm’s international commercial & trade practice, based in Dubai, whilst AlAiban and AlKhudhayri, who are based in Riyadh, specialise in capital markets and mergers & acquisitions, respectively.
The trio are part of a global promotion round of 66 new partners across the firm’s offices and practice areas. Women account for more than half (52%) of this year’s promotions—the firm’s highest percentage to date, according to a statement.
“I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to these exceptionally talented and diverse lawyers whose significant career milestone coincides with Baker McKenzie’s 75th anniversary,” said the firm’s global chair, Milton Cheng. “This year has been particularly noteworthy thanks to the significant number of women making up our new partner ranks.”
With 48 lateral partners also joining Baker McKenzie’s offices this financial year, the firm has added a total of 114 partners globally since July 1, 2023. In the Middle East this includes Adil Hussain as partner, UAE banking and finance head, and global head of Islamic finance, from Clyde & Co in September 2023.
On Monday the firm announced it had acquired a a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) licence to operate in Saudi Arabia in addition to a majority stake in its associated firm in the Kingdom.
The firm previously operated in association with Legal Advisors Abdulaziz Alajlan & Partners, but will now operate under the Baker McKenzie brand.
Keep tabs on the latest partner promotions in the Middle East.
