Aljazeera legal chief to join Bird & Bird

Abu Dhabi, June 12, 2012

International law firm Bird & Bird has announced that Aljazeera Network’s chief legal officer Osama Abu-Dehays will join the firm’s International Media and Sports Sector Groups as partner.

Abu-Dehays will be spending his time split between the UAE and Qatar, focusing on Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha but with wider responsibilities covering the Mena region.

Abu-Dehays is one of the most experienced TMT and sports lawyers acting in the region and was formerly Chief Legal Officer of the Al Jazeera Network, with ultimate responsibility for the legal and business affairs of the global media conglomeration.

Abu-Dehays has also previously held the position of chief legal officer at Arab Media Group and was deputy head of Legal at MBC (Middle East Broadcasting Corporation).

Mark Pinder, head of Bird & Bird Middle East said: “We’re delighted to welcome Osama to Bird & Bird. Osama brings a deep understanding of the media and sports sectors to our international team, as well as excellent regional experience in those areas and in the IT and telecommunications sectors.”

“This strong industry sector-based background is a great fit for our firm and complements the way that we are developing our local and regional expertise.  I look forward to working with him as we continue to develop our presence in the Middle East and internationally.”

Abu-Dehays said: “I am extremely excited to join Bird & Bird, and believe that the developing TMT and sports sectors in the Middle Eastern region will benefit widely from the international experience the firm can provide.”

“The region has proven its ability to present itself as a global player in the fields of sports and media, and Bird & Bird’s presence here, coupled with its phenomenal reputation, will provide a great support system for these growing industries,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service

Tags: abu dhabi | Partner | Bird & Bird | Legal officer | Aljazeera Network |