Simmons & Simmos continues the expansion of its Dubai office

George joins the Dubai office from Simmons & Simmons' Abu Dhabi office. George specialises in projects, commercial and corporate work. He advises local and international companies on mergers and acquisitions and projects work, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. George has been working for Simmons & Simmons in Abu Dhabi since 2002, where he became a partner in 2004. Prior to joining Simmons & Simmons in London in 1998, George was legal counsel in the Europe/Middle East regional headquarters of an international energy company.

Simmons & Simmons has made a strategic decision to substantially grow its 3 offices in the Middle East. In the last year the offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar have seen the addition of 20 new members of staff including the recent recruitment of Stuart Cavet as a partner specialising in energy and infrastructure projects in the Doha office.

Ibrahim Mubaydeen says: 'George's move to Dubai is part of our strategy to grow the office and ensure our clients have the highest quality advice and service, no matter which office in the Simmons & Simmons network they are working with. George's knowledge and experience of large scale international projects and of working in the Middle East will be an asset to our clients in Dubai.'

George Booth says:

'This is an excellent opportunity to work more closely with some of the firm's major domestic and regional clients. I am looking forward to participating in a period of exciting growth for the Dubai office and the Middle East team.'

Simmons & Simmons has recently been shortlisted by IFLR for Middle East Debt Capital Markets deal of the year 2006.

Simmons & Simmons' team in the Middle East has recently advised:

- an international oil and gas company in relation to its development of a large-scale gas development off-shore India;
- Abu Dhabi Water and Electricyty Authority as co-developer of the US$2.5bn aluminium smleter in Sohar, Oman;
- an Indian conglomerate in relation to the development of a new infrastructure plant in the Middle East; and
- Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company on its US$658m IPO.