Bird & Bird strengthens regional leadership with UAE and Saudi appointments
Bird & Bird has appointed new heads of country for UAE and Saudi Arabia. Head of Intellectual Property for the Middle East and global co-head of Franchising, Melissa Murray, has been appointed as the new head of ountry for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whilst head of TMT for the Middle East, Simon Shooter, will take on the role of head of country for Saudi Arabia.
The strategic appointments follow the recent opening of Bird & Bird’s Riyadh office and reflect the firm’s continued commitment to the region and its clients across the rapidly evolving commercial landscape.
Having joined Bird & Bird in 2012, award-winning Murray has been instrumental in the expansion of the firm’s Middle East practice from a modest operation of one office and four staff members to a regional presence spanning three offices with over 50 staff. Based in Dubai, she will continue her role as practice head of the Middle East IP team and co-head of the global franchising team.
Shooter is a commercial and technology partner and founder of the firm’s cybersecurity practice. He brings with him close to 30 years’ experience and has been a partner with Bird & Bird for over 17 years. Before joining the Riyadh office, he worked in the firm’s London and Dubai offices. His experience of the Kingdom stretches back to the 1990s when he was an external lawyer to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London and he has been engaged in legal matters across the Gulf ever since.
Melissa Murray and Simon Shooter’s appointments mark a new chapter for Bird & Bird in the Middle East. Together, they will work closely with teams across the firm’s global network to deliver exceptional service and innovative legal solutions to clients operating in or entering the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets.
Christian Bartsch, CEO of Bird & Bird, noted, “We are thrilled to appoint Melissa and Simon as our new heads of country in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Both bring a wealth of experience and a passion for client service that aligns perfectly with our strategic ambitions in the region. Their leadership will be central as we continue to help organisations harness the opportunities of change, particularly in sectors shaped by technology and digital innovation.”
Melissa Murray commented, “I am honoured to be appointed as head of country after 14 years as a partner with the firm. Leading our highly successful IP practice has been an incredible journey, and I am excited to take on this new role. I look forward to contributing to our continued success and working to implement our firm’s “one firm” growth strategy.”
Simon Shooter added, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today is one of the most exciting environments in the world. There is a buzz and dynamism in the Kingdom that is enthralling and which creates endless opportunities. With technology at the tip of our practice. we are supremely well positioned to put our shoulders to the wheel and engage enthusiastically in the delivery of the 2030 Vision. Together with my excellent group of partners and associates, I am enormously looking forwards to the years ahead and the continuation of my Arabian adventures.”
