Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has announced the promotion of 24 lawyers to its partnership, including Graham Brewer who is based in the Dubai office and covers the Middle East.

The new partners are drawn from all of the firm's market-leading practices and from across all regions.

As well as adding further capability in practices such as antitrust, M&A, private equity, project, acquisition and leveraged finance, regulatory and arbitration, the new partners have expertise across a broad range of sectors and in areas of increasing importance to clients such as cyber security, fintech and alternative financing.

Brewer has recently moved from the firm’s London finance practice to its Middle East finance practice having previously worked in Dubai office for nearly five years. Graham specialises in syndicated lending, acquisition finance, Islamic finance and restructuring with a particular focus on the Middle East, Africa and other growth markets.

Clifford Chance managing partner Matthew Layton said: "Our new partners are characterised by their commitment to excellent service, to supporting the firm in pursuing our collective goals, and to the development of their teams.  These partners are already widely recognised by clients and the market for the quality of their insight and judgment, and respected by colleagues for their substantial contributions to the life of the firm.  I am delighted to welcome them to the partnership and look forward to working alongside them as their careers go from strength to strength."

Additionally, three new counsel appointments have been made across the Middle East:

•    Andrej Kormuth – Projects & Energy, Dubai

Kormuth is a projects specialist with an impressive breadth of experience across a wide variety of infrastructure projects, advising regional and international clients and executing transactions that intersect multiple areas of law and sectors.

•    Sahel Mughal – Corporate / M&A, seconded to AS&H Law Firm in Saudi Arabia

Mughal is an established corporate lawyer in the Saudi market who has been on the ground in Riyadh for over six years advising Saudi and international clients with a particular focus on M&A, joint ventures and investment funds. His broad practice also includes securities regulatory and employment advisory work.

•    Andrew Steele – Corporate / M&A, Dubai

Steele is an experienced corporate / M&A lawyer who has been in the region since 2010.  Andrew advises regional and international corporates and sovereign wealth funds on complex M&A and joint ventures, with particular expertise in the financial institutions and oil & gas sectors.

Middle East Regional managing partner of Clifford Chance, Robin Abraham said: "Congratulations to Graham, Andrej, Sahel and Andrew. Each of our promoted team is highly praised by clients and respected by their colleagues – we're very proud of them. The appointments affirm Clifford Chance's commitment to the Middle East which continues to present wide-ranging and market-transforming opportunities."

The promotions will take effect from May 1, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service