Dechert has hired a private equity partner for its operation in Dubai, continuing an expansion in the region that began last year.

The firm announced today (August 14) that it had hired Philip Dowsett as a partner in the firm's private equity, corporate and investment funds business in the city.

Dowsett has spent more than 10 years in the region, most recently working for Morgan, Lewis and Bockius, according to his LinkedIn profile. The Philadelphia-headquartered firm could not immediately be reached for comment.

Specialising in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, private equity investments and venture capital issues, Dechert said in a statement that Dowsett also had experience in the structuring and formation of investment funds.

"Philip's strong experience in regional and international transactions is an excellent fit for Dechert, both in the Middle East and globally," said Chris P. Sioufi, Dechert's regional managing partner for the Middle East.

In 2018, Dechert grew its Dubai office with the addition of real estate lawyers Stephen Kelly and Sarah Mahood. Globally, Dechert hired 26 lateral partners in 2018, making it "a very substantial growth year", according to the firm's CEO.