Clyde & Co has bolstered its Middle East construction capabilities with the hire of a team of lawyers from Pinsent Masons.

Construction partner Mark Blanksby joins Clydes' Dubai arm, along with associates Anna Scannell and Elise Gillians, bringing the total number of fee earners in the firm's local construction practice to 10.

Blanksby, who had been a partner at Pinsent Masons since 2001, will focus his practice on construction projects and development.

Top deals for Clydes' Dubai construction team include advising on the expansion of the Dubai International Airport and the construction of the Saadiyat Bridge in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the hires, Dubai construction partner Michael Grose said: "Adding construction lawyers of this calibre and reputation to Clydes' construction team will ensure that the firm can continue to meet rapidly increasing demand for high-level legal services."

The hires follow a string of movement to the firm's international offices, with the recent hire of insurance partner Sarah Stryker in New York.

Clydes also recruited a team of lawyers in April to boost its San Francisco offering when it moved offices from Los Angeles. The UK top 20 firm hired a four-partner team from Duane Morris to boost its San Francisco aviation practice.

Meanwhile, Clydes has also hired construction associate Emma Shephard to join its Abu Dhabi office.

The firm has offices throughout the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha.