DLA Piper reinforces Middle East commitment

Keith Bullen

DLA Piper has announced the promotion of four senior Dubai-based lawyers to its partnership effective May 1, 2017. The promotions represent a 22 per cent increase in the firm’s partner headcount across the Middle East, with the four lawyers amongst 46 lawyers to be promoted to DLA Piper’s partnership globally.

Suzannah Newboult

Joining the partnership are Keith Bullen, Wissam Dagher, Paul McViety and Suzannah Newboult. Bullen is a project finance lawyer with particular expertise in energy projects; Dagher is a litigation lawyer and leads the firm’s onshore litigation offering; McViety is a finance lawyer and leads the firm’s Islamic Finance practice; and Newboult is a litigation and arbitration lawyer specialising in international construction and engineering disputes.

Wissam Dagher

Paul McViety

In addition to the partner promotions, the firm has announced the promotion of four lawyers to legal director and four to senior legal consultant across the firm’s nine regional offices.

Regional managing partner, Peter Somekh, said of the appointments: “The record number of partner and senior lawyer appointments is testament to the strong performance and growth of our Middle East operations over the last twelve months. It is a clear indication of the firm’s continued investment in the region and reflects our ongoing commitment to organic growth through the development and promotion of our people in order to support the needs of our clients. Keith, Wissam, Paul and Suzannah are each among the most talented lawyers in their respective fields. They demonstrate the relentless commitment to quality and client service for which DLA Piper is known, with their appointment a direct reflection of the valuable contribution that each of them has made in supporting and delivering on our strategic objectives. It gives me great pleasure to welcome them to our partnership and I wish them all the best as they embark upon this exciting stage in their career.”