Law firm highlights

• Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla has expanded its UAE presence with the opening of an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre on July 1, 2014, exactly one year after its merger in 2013. The DIFC office adds a third location to the firm's existing Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices. Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla's DIFC office is located on Level 3, Tower 1, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC. Baker & McKenzie expanded further with the opening of its 76th office worldwide in Brisbane, Australia. Baker & McKenzie has appointed three highly regarded partners from other top tier firms to lead its new Brisbane office – Philip Christensen, Jo Daniels and Darren Fooks. Each have extensive experience in the Brisbane market and are joined by a significant team of associates. 

• Hogan Lovells announced the launch of its Shanghai Free Trade Zone ("FTZ") micrositetoprovide information and resources with respect to the latest developments in the FTZ.The microsite showcasesHogan Lovells' unique market positioningas the only major international firm on a panel of approved professional service providers for advising on investments inthe FTZ. The sitewill publish keyupdates on FTZ rules and regulations as they are issued, as well as in-depth write-ups by Hogan Lovells' lawyers analysing theirimplications.

• Clifford Chance has launched a graduate training scheme in Dubai enabling graduates to train with one of the world's pre-eminent law firms. The Dubai Graduate Scheme is a two year Dubai-based trainingcontract and offers a rare opportunity to qualify and practice in Dubai as an England & Wales Qualified Solicitor. Trainees will undertake two seats in the UAE and two seats in London and will complete their LPC in London at the College of Law. The Scheme is open to applicants of all nationalities and backgrounds who wish to qualify and practice as an England & Wales Qualified Solicitor. Separately, Clifford Chance has also launched the Saudi Arabian Graduate Scheme which offers Saudi nationals the opportunity to train with and pursue a career at Clifford Chance Law Firm. The Saudi Graduate Scheme offers a two year training period with rotations in the Corporate and Banking and Finance practices of the firm's Riyadh office. The next application window will be in October this year.

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• Squire Patton Boggs has chosen legacy Patton Boggs’ Saudi associate firm Khalid Al-Thebity as its local representative, leaving legacy Squire Sanders’ affiliate to pursue independence. Riyadh-headquartered Al-Enezee was the affiliate of legacy Squire Sanders before the merger with Patton Boggs in June this year. Khalid Al-Thebity has been appointed managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs’ Riyadh office. His practice includes corporate, commercial and financial law, as well as real estate and Saudi-specific litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on assisting clients in the energy, construction and real estate industries. The firm will continue with the same headcount of four lawyers and one managing partner.

• Taylor Wessing announced the opening of two representative offices in the USA. The offices, in Palo Alto and New York, will both open this month. The firm will not be practicing US law, but rather using its locations in Palo Alto and New York to support US clients' international growth.The lawyers in the Palo Alto office will be Mark Barron, corporate technology,  currently based in London, Dr. Kai Westerwelle, technology and data protection, currently based in Frankfurt, and Dennis Tan, corporate technology, currently based in Singapore. They will provide on-the-ground access to the firm's teams of highly experienced lawyers in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Mike Turner, a corporate technology partner, will be heading the New York office (splitting his time between New York and London) and will be supported by a team of lawyers from Taylor Wessing's international network.

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