Winston & Strawn, an international law firm, recently announced key appointments to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, which included expansion of the firm’s office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

 The larger footprint is a result of Winston’s focused growth in the region, having grown over fourfold in attorney and staff headcount since the office opening in April 2016, a statement said.

The firm announced the appointments of Ben Bruton and Nicholas Sharratt from Eversheds Sutherland, who have significantly strengthened Winston’s regional disputes and investigations practice, and private equity partner Chris Skipper from Dubai World private equity arm, Istithmar.

“In just over one year, we have achieved impressive growth in the Middle East region,” said Tom Fitzgerald, Winston’s chairman. “This new office space reflects our continued investment in our international platform to further service clients with business interests across various geographies. Coupled with our London office, it also reflects a significant increase in our English law capabilities internationally.”

“The growth of our operations reflects the evolution of the DIFC as a global financial and arbitration hub, and Dubai’s continued emergence as a legal and business centre,” added Campbell Steedman, Winston’s managing partner, Middle East. “We have also seen a rise in Middle East based businesses involved in U.S. litigation which, with our market leading practice in that area, is a key focus for us.”

Winston’s award-winning Dubai office works with clients across various sectors on matters relating to project development and finance, construction, asset finance, banking, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, private equity and venture capital, and regulatory matters. The firm’s lawyers regularly represent government departments and agencies, banks, financial institutions, and major domestic and multinational corporations based or doing business in the region. – TradeArabia News Service