Latham & Watkins has secured a major boost in Dubai, as the firm's Middle East drive gets underway in earnest, with the hire of a magic circle partner.

Linklaters banking partner Tim Ross, who joins the firm today (1 September), has been based in the region for several years establishing the magic circle firm's banking practice.

Ross joined Linklaters in 2001 and has built up important relationships with banks and funds in the Middle East region, which Latham is hoping to capitalise on.

The announcement comes after July's news, reported in Legal Week, that the New York giant was to send out high-profile corporate partner Bryant Edwards to the region along with M&A partner Charles Fuller - both of whom are expected to be in Dubai by the beginning of September.

With the addition of Ross, Edwards and Fuller, the number of Latham partners in Dubai now totals six, alongside around 15 associates, headed up by managing partner Rindala Beydoun.

The firm hopes to target three key areas in the region: representing sovereign funds in outbound and regional investment, project finance and representing investment banks.

Edwards told Legal Week: "Tim brings with him a wealth of experience and having a senior UK banking partner in place to represent our clients in the region is very important to us."

Recognising the competitive nature of the Dubai market, Edwards highlighted the firm's capability to represent sovereign funds in their US investments, something UK firms would struggle to be able to do.

It is understood that 55%-60% of sovereign fund investment goes directly into the US, which puts the firm in a strong position in the region.

Beydoun added: "We are delighted that Tim has joined the firm. He has an excellent reputation among investment bankers and funds in the Middle East and London. Tim's experience advising on complex leveraged structures will significantly bolster our regional M&A and finance credentials."

A spokesman from Linklaters commented: "We would like to thank Tim for all his efforts on behalf of the firm, in particular for his successful start-up of the banking practice in Dubai. We wish him well with his future endeavours."