Pinsent Masons appoints Osama Hassan as head of Middle East region

International law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed Osama Hassan as head of Middle East.

Osama, who will continue to lead the Middle East Corporate group, has provided dual language, Shari’a, local and international law expertise in the region for over 30 years. He is widely recognised within the UAE corporate market as a trusted adviser to a broad range of major energy and infrastructure organisations, government departments and government-owned entities as well as heads of family owned businesses.

The appointment comes following a period of strong growth for the firm across the infrastructure, energy, real estate and financial services sectors.

Earlier this year, Pinsent Masons appointed leading infrastructure and energy partners, Tim Armsby and Gurmeet Kaur, to its finance and projects practice.

Partner Tom Bicknell also joined the Dubai office leading the firm’s financial services and corporate insurance offering, providing clients with regulatory and product distribution advice in the region.

Pinsent Masons has also advised on a number of key mandates, including advising National Energy Services Reunited Corp (“NESR”), a NASDAQ-listed entity in relation to its acquisition of the entire share capital of National Petroleum Services (“NPS”), creating the largest oil and gas services company in the MENA region and acting as lender’s counsel to a consortium bidding for the Shuqaiq 3 Independent Water Plant, the second in a pipeline of water plants being procured by the Water and Electricity Company (WEC) in Saudi Arabia.

In March 2018, Pinsent Masons also announced an alliance with Saudi law firm Alsabhan & Alajaj.

John Cleland, managing partner at Pinsent Masons, said: “Our vision is to be recognised as an international market leader in our global sectors. The Middle East has a team of highly experienced lawyers with deep sectoral expertise and with Osama at the helm, will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Osama Hassan added: “Our 90-strong team in the Middle East has advised on a range of crucial mandates across the infrastructure, energy, real estate, and financial services sectors this year. As I move into this role I look forward to deepening our relationships with our clients and continuing to offer the collaborative culture and deep sector expertise that Pinsent Masons is known for.”