Freshfields has transferred Paris-based partner Bertrand Pellet to head its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) corporate practice in Dubai. He is expected to develop more cross-border work between Paris and the Middle East.

Pellet, who specialises in M&A and PE, will replace David Higgins, who has headed up the corporate practice since late 2008 when he was moved from the London office. Higgins will continue working in the region.

The firm’s Paris managing partner, Antione Colonna d’lstria, said that Pellet’s transfer will help bridge the Paris practice with the Middle East: “[It] will give us the opportunity to develop the flow of business between our Paris and MENA,” he said.

Earlier this month, Freshfields sealed an exclusive alliance with Saudi lawyer Salah Al Hejailan. 

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