Eversheds Sutherland strengthens regional leadership team

January 2018

Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its leadership team in the Middle East with Nasser Ali Khasawneh assuming leadership of the global TMT sector from February 1, 2018.

In addition, Tawfiq Tabbaa is now regional managing partner for the Middle East and will join the International Leadership Team. Tabbaa, who is currently managing partner of Eversheds Sutherland’s Jordan and Iraq offices, will continue in this role as well as continuing to lead Eversheds Sutherland’s practice in Iraq and developing its Iran offering in the Middle East.

Tawfiq succeeds Khasawneh who, in addition to his role as TMT sector head and senior office partner for the UAE, is now chairman of the Middle East.

Lee Ranson, co-CEO of Eversheds Sutherland, commented, “Congratulations to both Nasser and Tawfiq on their new leadership roles. As TMT Sector head, I am confident that Nasser, along with the rest of the team, will be instrumental in successfully developing this important global sector. Also as Chairman of the Middle East, Nasser will play a key role in growing our business in the region. Nasser is an obvious choice for the role as he has been instrumental in developing our operation substantially in recent years.”

Nasser Ali Khasawneh, TMT sector head and chairman of the Middle East, commented, “I am delighted to take on the international role of TMT Sector Head at an exciting time in the expansion of Eversheds Sutherland’s global platform and I am looking forward to supporting the team in the Middle East and continuing to deliver for our clients across the region.”

Tawfiq Tabbaa, regional managing partner for the Middle East, commented,“Building on Nasser’s success as regional managing partner of the Middle East is a challenging task but I am honored with the appointment and excited to get started.”

Further, the firm has strengthened its international arbitration team in the Middle East with lateral partner hire Paul Taylor. With extensive regional and international experience of a broad range of commercial disputes across various industry sectors, Taylor specialises in construction and engineering law focusing on contentious work. He has advised employers, contractors, subcontractors and consultants across a range of domestic and international construction and engineering projects in litigation, arbitration and all forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Taylor was previously at Reed Smith LLP. Taylor’s primary focus will be on expanding the arbitration practice across offices in the region including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq, as part of the firm’s global arbitration expertise. Taylor will be joined by two senior lawyers who specialise in construction and engineering related arbitration, litigation and general dispute resolution, as well as non-contentious projects and procurement. Roberta Wertman, legal director, has joined in Abu Dhabi, having previously been at Reed Smith LLP. A principal associate will be starting soon adding further experience and expertise to the team.