Bird & Bird has recruited Al Jazeera's chief legal officer in a coup for the firm's Middle East media practice.

Technology, media and sports lawyer Osama Abu-Dehays is joining the UK top 20 law firm as a partner in its international media and sports sector groups.

He will divide his time between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, with his practice focusing on Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while also handling work in the broader Middle East and North Africa region.

His appointment brings partner headcount in Bird & Bird's Abu Dhabi office to two, alongside local chief Mark Pinder. The office also has three associates and one consultant.

Before heading the legal team at Arabic news network Al Jazeera, he held the same role at Arab Media Group and was deputy head of legal at the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation.

Pinder commented: "Osama brings a deep understanding of the media and sports sectors to our international team, as well as excellent regional experience in those areas and in the IT and telecommunications sectors. This strong industry sector-based background is a great fit for our firm."

The hire comes after Bird & Bird last year earmarked the Middle East and Asia for growth in its new three-year strategic plan. In March this year the firm also set a target for Asia to account for one fifth of total revenue and lawyer headcount in three to five years' time.