Eversheds Sutherland builds team with new lateral hire

Andrew Thomson has joined the firm as a partner and head of Real Estate for the Middle East. He was previously at Gowling WLG as partner and head of Real Estate and Hospitality, Middle East & Africa.

Real estate heavyweight Andrew Thomson has joined Eversheds Sutherland as a partner and head of Real Estate for the Middle East. He was previously at Gowling WLG as partner and head of Real Estate and Hospitality, Middle East & Africa. As one of the region’s most prominent real estate lawyers, Andrew represents clients across all major jurisdictions in the Middle East region. He advises investors, funds, financial institutions and developers in sectors including retail, education, logistics and residential. Andrew also advises local and international clients in sub-Saharan Africa. His clients include some of the most prominent real estate funds, family offices and international real estate corporates operating in the Middle East.

Andrew will be joined by his team of Melissa Younan, principal associate and Hala Haddad, paralegal; they will be based in Dubai and will work with real estate senior associate Kevin Fidler to expand the global legal practice’s real estate offering in the region.

At Eversheds Sutherland, Andrew will be leading one of the strongest and most diverse real estate teams in the region. The teams focus will be to utilise Eversheds Sutherland’s network of seven offices across the Middle East to bring a truly regional offering to real estate funders, investors and developers and grow its global corporate real estate offering in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

Andrew Thomson, commented, “It is an exciting time for real estate in the region, while the UAE remains attractive to foreign investors, there are increasing opportunities across many of the jurisdictions. Eversheds Sutherland has a strong global and regional network as well as a leading real estate practice. I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to support our clients both locally and internationally.”

Tawfiq Tabbaa, managing partner Middle East, added, “Andrew is a well-respected figure in the region’s real estate community and is highly regarded by his clients. He will be an excellent addition to the practice and we look forward to him joining the team.”