Herbert Smith is laying down a blueprint for its new Dubai operation, which aims to service a number of emerging markets through a wide range of practices.

The City firm, which hired finance partner Nadim Khan and corporate and private equity partner Zubair Mir from Norton Rose last week, will focus on projects, energy, trusts and funds, but will also look to practise M&A and private client work. Herbert Smith's swoop on Norton Rose was exclusively revealed by Legal Week.

The firm will look to use the office to extend its India practice, with an India focus group headed by partner Chris Parsons and consultant Mimi Patel exploring opportunities in the region.

It will also look to service some of its Japanese clients through the operation.

London private client partner Rupert Ticehurst, who came over from Baker & McKenzie last year and has clients in Dubai, will help the firm develop its regional presence and client base, while the firm is also looking to move either a projects partner or senior associate to the office from London. In addition, the firm looks set to attempt to build on the pair's links with banking giant Citibank.

The firm has been actively hiring partners with links to the bank. London projects partner Andrew Newbery, who joined from Norton Rose this year and who has a developed Middle East practice, and leveraged finance partner Chris Fanner, who joined from Denton Wilde Sapte last month, were both Citibank relationship partners.

The Dubai office, to be launched in the New Year, will be headed by Paris projects partner Neil Brimson.

See legalweek.com/editorsblog.