Pinsents boosts Mid East tech and outsourcing group with DLA hire

Pinsent Masons has appointed a Middle East head of outsourcing, technology and commercial (OTC), with the hire of DLA Piper telecoms specialist Lenka Glynn.

Glynn, who is currently a legal director at DLA Piper in Dubai, will join Pinsents at the beginning of the New Year as a partner.

Pinsent launched its Middle East OTC group in 2008 but did not previously have a dedicated partner heading the group. The hire will increase the group's lawyer headcount to five.

United Arab Emirates practice head Sachin Kerur said: "Lenka is highly respected in the Middle East and further afield and her appointment confirms the ambitions of our firm in this exciting and fast developing region."

Pinsents' international OTC group head Clive Seddon added: "We are committed to the continuing development of our 130-strong international technology, media and telecoms practice. Although legal budgets are currently tight, we consider this a great time to invest in expanding our Middle East and Asia Pacific operations."

The hire comes after Pinsents earlier this year appointed its first Middle East corporate head with the relocation of Birmingham-based partner Alan Wood in June.

Pinsents has had an office in Dubai since 2004, which also advises on corporate, construction, real estate and projects.

The news follows DLA Piper's announcement last week that it has slimmed down its Middle East practice by 39% over the last year, including through a third round of layoffs concluded this month which resulted in another 17 redundancies. The most recent review will also see 14 relocations from the region.

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