SJ Berwin to relocate partner duo for Dubai launch

SJ Berwin is gearing up to launch in Dubai with an office set to open in the emirate as soon the firm receives regulatory approval.

It is understood that London-based litigation partner Tim Taylor and Paris-based funds formation partner Benjamin Aller will both relocate to the region to head up the new operation.

The news comes after the firm's Hong Kong office officially opened last week (1 April), having gained regulatory approval to operate as a foreign firm.

It is headed by Daniel Liew, who had previously co-headed Dewey & LeBoeuf's Hong Kong base. He is working alongside ex-Dewey counsel Peter Tse, who has also joined as a partner, and on a part-time basis, SJ Berwin's German head of real estate Hans Thomas Kessler, who joined from German independent Beiten Burkhardt in September.

The two new launches mark a change of strategy for the top 20 City firm, which has previously marketed itself as a European law firm, with offices in five continental European countries - Germany, Italy, France, Belgium and Spain - as well as the UK.

The rush of UK and US firms to the Gulf region has been largely halted since it too saw a significant decrease in activity levels as a result of the global financial downturn. However, a few firms have opted to go ahead with launch plans this year, including US firms Jones Day and Weil Gotshal & Manges.

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