Allen & Overy (A&O) has hired Simmons & Simmons' Middle East financial markets head as a partner in its Qatar office.

Doha-based Samer Eido will head A&O's local banking and finance practice when he joins the firm at a start date still to be agreed.

Eido, who has headed Simmons' Middle East financial markets practice since last year, having made partner in 2008, will become the third partner in A&O's Doha office, which opened in 2010 with the relocation of City real estate partner Robert Porter.