Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has launched a funds practice in its Dubai office following the hire of Ashurst partner Chezard Ameer.

Ameer, who specialises in investment funds, including private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and real estate funds, is set to join the law firm in the coming months from the private investment funds group in Ashurst's Dubai practice.

He joined Ashurst as a partner in 2007 from Debevoise & Plimpton. He will become the fourth partner in Gibson Dunn's Dubai arm.

Ameer's client portfolio includes AnaCap Financial Partners, Deutsche Bank, Masdar, Invest AD and Kazyna Capital Management.

Dubai head Paul Harter commented: "We are aiming to be at the top of the game in Dubai both in terms of [Middle East] work and capturing outbound work into the US, Europe and the Far East.

"We are currently looking at further hires with a view to growing our offering, initially in finance and capital markets, and ultimately to include projects, infrastructure and litigation."

Gibson Dunn set up its office in Dubai in November 2007. The US law firm now has 17 offices worldwide.