Charles Russell has appointed a new Middle East real estate head with a hire from Norton Rose.

Simon Green has joined the firm's Bahrain office this month from Norton Rose's local base, where he was a senior associate. He will be made up to partner at Charles Russell after serving a three-month probationary period.

Green specialises in large-scale mixed use developments, city centre redevelopments, real estate investment and real estate management. He has been based in Bahrain since 2008.

Green said: "This represents an exciting opportunity to join a growing practice in Bahrain, which is now able to offer an 'on the ground' full service offering to clients.

"I am looking forward to the challenge and believe the synergy between my existing practice and that of Charles Russell will present a number of opportunities."

Charles Russell first launched its Bahrain office in August 2007 in a bid to build a telecoms and private client practice in the Middle East.

Norton Rose has had a presence in the region since 1979 with a focus on corporate, banking and Islamic finance, project finance, infrastructure, construction, real estate and dispute resolution.

The firm recently saw four partners leave its Middle East practice to join US firms, including regional managing partner Campbell Steedman, who is moving to White & Case.

The firm is currently undertaking a review of the 62-lawyer practice in the wake of the challenging trading conditions in the region and the Arab Spring uprisings.