Dewey & LeBoeuf to restructure Middle East practice after further departures

Dewey & LeBoeuf has initated a restructuring of its middle east operations, which could result in the closure of the firm’s Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha offices. The process, which will be led by the managing partner of Dewey's Riyadh base, Khalid Al-Thebity, was initiated after 12 lawyers from the Dubai office defected to rival firm Dechert, leaving only local partner Peter Gray and associate Andrew Gibson to hold the fort. Meanwhile the Abu Dhabi office is manned by corporate finance partner Stephen Jurgenson and associate Martin Skehill, and the Doha office has just one associate - Claire Bechara - since the departure of local managing partner Kenneth Freeling to K&L Gates last year. Al-Thebity said: "These departures are in line with our plans to restructure our operations in the Gulf region. We believe that they will not have an impact overall and will not affect our ability to serve our clients in the region."

Dewey & LeBoeuf to restructure Middle East practice after further departures legalweek.com Mon, Apr 23, 2012