HFW has added two construction lawyers to its Middle East practice to become the only international law firm with specialists in the sector based in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait City.

Kijong Nam, who specialises in construction and shipbuilding and joined HFW as a partner in 2018, is relocating from the firm's London office to Dubai, the firm announced in a statement. His career includes a 14-year stint at legacy Ince & Co.

Meanwhile, construction disputes expert Maria Deus joins the firm in Abu Dhabi as a legal director from DWF, after working as in-house legal counsel at U.S. construction consultancy, Hill International.  

Deus was the fifth lateral hire to join HFW's Abu Dhabi office since it opened in 2018, and follows the firm's launch of a specialist insurance practice there in 2019, the firm said.

"Kijong and Maria are both experienced and highly skilled construction experts, and together represent a significant boost to our practice in the Middle East," Carolyn Chudleigh, HFW's global head of construction. 

"Maria has acted on some of the most complex and highest-value disputes in the region, and Kijong has a wealth of expertise in both onshore and offshore construction, with offshore a real growth area for us globally. We will continue to build and strengthen our construction offering around the world to meet the changing needs of our clients across the sector."

HFW has been in the Middle East since 2006 and now boasts almost 60 lawyers, based in the UAE, Kuwait City and Riyadh. Its other specialist sectors are aerospace, commodities, energy and resources, insurance, and shipping.

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