U.S. firm Kobre & Kim is opening an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as it expands its disputes and investigations work in the Middle East and Africa region.

As part of the launch the firm is bringing in a five strong disputes team, led by DIFC court practitioner Paul Hughes and former Pinsent Masons lawyer Mahmoud Selim, according to a statement by the firm. Selim has been appointed as regional managing director, while Hughes joins as a partner.