Hogan Lovells Middle East practice lead jumps to King & Spalding

The corporate logo of the law firm King & Spalding is seen at their law offices in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

(Reuters) – Atlanta-based law firm King & Spalding said on Tuesday it had poached the New York-based head of rival firm Hogan Lovells’ Middle East practice.

As a specialist in international arbitration, Samaa Haridi will join King & Spalding’s litigation and litigation practice as a partner, the firm said. She previously worked as a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Crowell & Moring.

Haridi is also Vice President of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce.

The ICC describes itself as the “world’s leading international arbitration institution”. According to an archived version of her Hogan Lovells biography, Haridi has represented several unnamed foreign companies in ICC arbitrations, sometimes under Saudi law.

Haridi is fluent in French and Arabic and speaks Spanish, King & Spalding said.

“Your connections in the Middle East will be of great value not only to our international arbitration team, but also to our other practices and offices focused on developing and conducting work in the region,” said Andy Bayman, head of the litigation against King & Spalding and Global Disputes Practice Group said in a statement.

Des Hogan, the global head of Hogan Lovells’ litigation, arbitration and employment practice, thanked Haridi for her work and issued a statement wishing her well.

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