Latham & Watkins is set to boost its Middle East corporate practice with the appointment of Ahmed Anani  – the Qatar head of prominent regional law firm Al Tamimi & Co – in a move that strengthens Latham’s presence in the Middle East, in particular Saudi Arabia.

Anani, a corporate commercial partner and a Jordan national, will join Latham later this year as a partner in the Doha office, pending approval from the local regulatory authorities.

Anani’s corporate practice focuses on M&A, IPOs, joint ventures property and labour law. He also has experience working in private practice, government and in-house counsel roles, financial policy and litigation matters.

After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1999, Anani joined Al Tamimi — one of the largest Middle East-based law firms, with a total of eight offices in the wider region.

Anani’s appointment will boost Latham’s efforts in establishing a substantial Middle East practice – an effort that began with a three-office launch in Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in early 2008. Earlier this year, Latham hired a team of five Middle East partners from its white shoe rival White & Case.ALB

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