Jones Day to launch in Dubai with partner duo transfer

Jones Day has launched an office in Dubai with the relocation of London-based project finance partner Arman Galledari to head the new outpost.

The firm is also relocating Washington-based litigation partner Sheila Shadmand to the office, which will have six lawyers in total. One counsel and one associate are moving with Galledari from London, while another associate has been hired from US rival Baker Botts' Dubai base. The firm has also recruited a local UAE-qualified associate.

The office will focus on energy, finance, arbitration and M&A work.

Galledari was Norton Rose's Singapore office and head of its Asia energy and project finance group before joining Jones Day in 2006.

He said: "Our international strength in M&A, capital markets, private equity, energy, finance, real estate and international arbitration makes Dubai an ideal place for us to establish an office so as to be of maximum service to clients."

"We have been advising clients in the Middle East for a number of years and look forward to continuing to do so from Dubai."

Firm managing partner Steve Brogan added: "The Gulf region continues to become ever more important in the global economy. As the largest and leading economy in the region, Saudi Arabia has been an important source of client representations over the past several decades. Our historic relationships have led to other opportunities for the firm in the region, including in the UAE."

This is the second office launch this year for Jones Day, which opened an office in Mexico City in January.

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