Reed Smith has strengthened its UAE practice with two hires from Holland & Knight, including Donald Moore, former managing partner of the latter’s Abu Dhabi office, and associate Nijoe Joseph.
The announcement comes less than a week after Holland & Knight named Andrew Stephenson as the new executive partner of its Abu Dhabi office and also announced plans to relocate two partners from the US there.
Moore, who will join the Reed Smith office in Abu Dhabi as corporate partner, has advised domestic and international companies in the UAE, family groups, airlines, banks, investors, transportation companies and other clients on corporate, corporate governance, contractual, investment, finance, joint-venture, M&A and cross-border transactions.
Moore’s areas of focus include urban transportation, aviation and vessel financings, logistics and distribution, banking, construction, infrastructure, natural resources, private security companies and military-related transactions. He counts the Al Masaood family in Abu Dhabi among his clients.
“Donald’s arrival is one of many steps we are taking to further strengthen our presence in the Middle East. It’s an exciting time for us, as we work to grow our transactional practice in the region and enhance our integrated offering across the firm,” said Vince Gordon, Reed Smith partner and head of business and finance Middle East, in a statement.
Joseph, who has a background in maritime, vessel and aircraft financing, corporate transactions and general UAE law and government matters, was previously the senior legal advisor to the Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation’s Maritime Division. ALB
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