Al Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the Middle East, has elected Husam Hourani, Dubai-based head of the banking and finance practice, as its managing partner.

The new role includes the leadership of the fast-growing firm with over 360 staff in 10 offices throughout the Middle East including the UAE, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Husam Hourani will be responsible for the growth and development of the firm both internationally and across the key Middle East markets.

Husam replaces Hoda Barakat who has led the firm since 2005, and formally announced her retirement in December 2009.

Husam Hourani who has been with the firm for over 12 years is one of the Middle East’s most respected banking and finance lawyers, and one of the leading Islamic finance specialists in the region.

He was nominated by IFLR as Best Islamic Finance Lawyer 2008, whilst the UK based Legal 500 and Chambers Global legal directories have ranked him as a leading individual in banking, finance and capital markets for the last four years.

“We are very excited to have Husam take the management reins of the firm, he is one of the very best practitioners in his field,” said Al Tamimi & Company founder and senior partner, Essam Al Tamimi.-TradeArabia News Service