Covington expands M&A Capability in the Middle East with Rupert Harper

Rupert Harper has joined Covington’s Corporate Practice as a partner in Dubai. Harper’s arrival follows the recent addition of international arbitration partner Philip Norman, also resident in Dubai.

Harper has a wide-ranging practice advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity buy-outs, and strategic investment transactions across a number of industry sectors. His clients include a number of regional sovereign wealth funds, banks, corporations, and family offices based in the Middle East as well as large multinational corporations with investments in the region.

“With Rupert’s addition, we see significant opportunities to expand our corporate practice in Dubai and across the Middle East,” said Bruce Wilson, head of the firm’s Dubai office. “His experience in handling both inbound and outbound transactions in the region, combined with the firm’s vision for growth in the Middle East, will be met with enthusiasm by the firm’s existing clients seeking to do business in the Gulf, Africa, Europe, and beyond.”

“Covington’s global expertise will be of great interest to clients based in the region looking to diversify their investments outside the Middle East, as well as being highly relevant to the future of the region,” said Mr. Harper. “I was also drawn to the firm’s unique capabilities at the intersection of law, regulation, and policy.” Harper is admitted to practice in Australia and New Zealand.