Two partners join Baker and McKenzie in Abu Dhabi

Baker & McKenzie opened Abu Dhabi, its 69th office, in February 2009 and has one of the leading practices in the Gulf.

Tom Thraya, a native Arabic speaker, has been working extensively on Gulf corporate and joint venture matters (particularly Abu Dhabi and Dubai) over the past three years and was co-head of the North America Middle East Initiative. James Reed will further strengthen the existing Corporate and Energy, Mining & Infrastructure practices.

Commenting on Tom Thraya's appointment Borys Dackiw, Managing Partner - Gulf Region, stated

"Tom has a proven track record of working on significant matters for some of our global clients active in the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere in the Gulf; his experience in this region will be of great value to our international and domestic clients. This is yet further evidence of Baker & McKenzie's commitment to strengthening our offering in the Gulf and James brings valuable expertise and insight to our M&A and Infrastructure Practices."

Once fully staffed, the Abu Dhabi office will specialize in banking and finance (including project finance and Islamic finance), corporate and M&A, private equity, securities/capital markets, major projects (particularly in the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors), arbitration and real estate to serve its international and domestic clients.

Baker & McKenzie has been active in the Saudi Arabia market since the mid-1970s and opened in Manama, Bahrain in 1999. The Firm's Middle East and North Africa presence also includes a long-standing office in Cairo, Egypt.