UK-based firm Wragge & Co has opened its fifth international office – and its first in the Middle East – in Abu Dhabi last week in the form of a joint venture firm named Wragge & Co Legal Consultants.

Wragge & Co inked a deal with its new Saudi sponsor Mohamed Al Mehairi to launch a new combined entity – of which Al Merhairi has been appointed chairman and senior partner – to work in conjunction with Wragges & Co London projects partner Jane Pittaway, who has relocated to the Middle East take up her new role.

Pittaway is heading the new practice as managing partner effective from 1 Dec 2010.

Al Mehairi, a registered arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), has held senior roles including director of legal affairs department and head of arbitration services at the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).

Al Mehairi was responsible for spearheading the creation of the common law legal infrastructure (through the adoption of US and UK laws), in an effort to promote its wider application in DIFC.

Most recently, Al Meehairi advised the executive council of the government of Dubai, a role he left in April 2010.
Pittaway, having previously spent six years in the UAE, will be returning to familiar territory. Her sector focus includes aerospace and defence, aviation and healthcare projects. 

Wragges has international offices in Guangzhou, Munich, Brussels and Paris.ALBOther related stories:

Fast Facts: Wragge & Co
Number of Lawyers
615
Number of UK offices
2
No. of international offices
5
London managing partner
Nicola Mumford
Sector focuses
Aviation, defence, automotive, governmental, Aerospace, financial services, energy
Main practice areas
Anti-trust, commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, employment, finance, IT, IP, public law and regulation