Ashurst is set to restructure in the Middle East, with the firm refocusing its Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices around energy and infrastructure.

The restructuring will see corporate partner and Middle East chief Nick Williamson, who splits his time between the two offices, and Abu Dhabi real estate partner Matthew Hooton, returning to London after several years in the region.

Dubai-based projects partner Joss Dare will become Ashurst's new managing partner in the Gulf, with the firm's only remaining partner in the Middle East, energy partner David Wadham, remaining in Abu Dhabi.

As part of the shake-up, Ashurst is to transfer global head of energy Geoffrey Picton-Turbervill to the Middle East, with a remit to develop the practice.

Picton-Turbervill already holds several important client relationships in the region, including Kuwait Petrolium Corporation. He will split his time between the firm's Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London offices, with the firm also planning to expand its energy practice on the ground through lateral hires and partner promotions.

Williamson said: "We are making some strategic changes in the region to align our practice with the changes in the market. Geoffrey's arrival marks an increased focus on energy and infrastructure, which is already our strongest-performing practice area."

Ashurst said there would be no associate redundancies as a consequence of the focus on energy and infrastructure. News of the move comes as it emerged that Dubai corporate partner Tahir Ahmed has left Ashurst to join US law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf. Ahmed joined Ashurst from Norton Rose four years ago.