Bird & Bird Appoints Bill Smith To Head Disputes In The Middle East
Bird & Bird Appoints Bill Smith to Head Disputes in the Middle East
International law firm Bird & Bird has announced that Bill Smith, Partner from the firm’s Sydney office, has relocated to the United Arab Emirates to head its Dispute Resolution practice in the Middle East. Bill initially joined Bird & Bird in October 2024 as part of a planned transition culminating in this strategic move to Dubai.
Bill brings with him nearly 15 years of experience advising clients in the MENA region, having previously practiced at the Dubai offices of two other major international firms. His extensive regional experience spans aviation, technology, energy, and infrastructure sectors, with a core focus on complex disputes and international arbitration.
He also adds significant strength to Bird & Bird’s construction practice in the Middle East, drawing from his work on high-profile, large-scale projects across industries including transport, property, tourism, energy, mining, defence, healthcare, IT, and telecoms. His deep expertise is expected to enhance the firm’s ability to support clients in the region’s dynamic and rapidly evolving construction and development market.
Bill’s relocation is expected to bolster cross-office collaboration between Bird & Bird’s Sydney and Middle East teams, offering clients consistent, cross-border legal services across two key global markets.
Anders Nilsson, Managing Partner, Bird & Bird Middle East, said,
"Bill's arrival in Dubai represents a significant strengthening of our dispute resolution capabilities in the region. His unique combination of international arbitration expertise, deep understanding of construction disputes, and recent experience working within our Australian operations makes him perfectly positioned to serve our Middle Eastern clients whilst maintaining our strong ties with Australia. This appointment underscores our commitment to building a truly integrated international disputes practice."
Bill Smith, Partner, said
"I'm delighted to be heading the Middle East practice and bringing my experience full circle back to the region. I understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the regional market. The opportunity to work closely with both our Middle Eastern and Australian colleagues, whilst serving clients across these dynamic markets, is exactly the kind of cross-border collaboration that makes Bird & Bird such an exciting place to work. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of our dispute resolution and construction practices in the region."
This move reflects Bird & Bird’s broader strategy of strategic international growth, further strengthening its disputes capability and reinforcing the firm’s Australia–Middle East connectivity. It follows a series of recent expansions across both regions as part of its global network development.
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