Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its corporate transactional offering in the Middle East with the hire of a partner in Dubai.
Noor Al Heialy has joined the firm from Eversheds Sutherland, where she was most recently a managing associate, according to her LinkedIn profile.
It marks a return for Al Heialy to the firm, where she previously worked as an associate from 2014 until 2018. She has also previously worked at Herbert Smith Freehills in Dubai.
She brings with her experience on transactions in the asset management and investment funds (AMIF), technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), and health and life sciences sectors, with a particular focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Al Heialy’s hire is expected to enhance the firm’s capabilities in Saudi Arabia following the forthcoming opening of its new office in Riyadh, according to a statement.
Commenting on the hire, James Coleman, head of Simmons’ corporate and commercial practice in the Middle East, said: “Noor is an exceptional corporate transactional lawyer with wide expertise and an ability to forge strong relationships across the region. She is a great fit for our team and as partner, she will allow us to respond to the rising demand for our advice on the most complex transactions in the Gulf—particularly in the AMIF sector.”
Al Heialy said: “I’m excited to be rejoining Simmons & Simmons at a time when the firm is prioritising increased investment in the Middle East. I look forward to supporting the firm as it expands the reach of its transactional work to advise more leading organisations in the UAE, KSA and beyond.”
Simmons recently marked three decades of operation in the UAE, with Middle East head Muneer Khan telling Law Middle East about the firm’s expansion plans for the region. “Our key priorities include further deepening our sector expertise, continuing to attract top talent to our firm, and expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of our clients,” he said.
Dentons, meanwhile, has promoted a construction & engineering specialist to partner in Doha, strengthening its bench strength in Qatar where it has had a presence for more than 15 years.
Gabriel Olufemi has been working in the Middle East since 2014 and has more than 15 years of experience in handling a wide range of contentious and non-contentious construction & engineering matters. He specialises in front-end construction law and dispute avoidance strategies.
“Gabriel’s promotion is a clear reflection of his outstanding contribution to our construction and engineering practice,” said Paul Jarvis, CEO of Dentons’ UK, Ireland and Middle East region. “His deep understanding of the regional market dynamics, coupled with his ability to navigate the complexities of large-scale projects and disputes avoidance, makes him an invaluable asset to our clients.”
