King & Spalding Strengthens Middle East Property Practice With Additions in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES--(Marketwire - January 22, 2009) - King & Spalding, a leading international law firm, announced today the expansion of its Middle East property practice with the deployment of two senior lawyers to its Abu Dhabi office. The move brings to 27 the number of King & Spalding lawyers and legal assistants in the Middle East, strengthening the firm's position as one of the largest U.S. law firms in the region.

Partner W. Clay Gibson and senior counsel Timothy N. Tucker have relocated to Abu Dhabi from King & Spalding's office in Atlanta, Georgia. Gibson will head up King & Spalding's real estate practice in the region.

"Adding Clay and Tim, two talented senior lawyers, in Abu Dhabi significantly enhances our ability to meet the increasing demand of our Middle Eastern and foreign clients for expertise with property investments and development projects in the region," said Philip Weems, head of King & Spalding's Middle East offices. "The expansion of our property practice in the Middle East complements our strong coverage in Western Europe and the United States."

Earlier this month construction partner James Bremen and three associates joined King & Spalding's London office, from where Bremen will continue his Middle East, Africa and Asia construction practice.

Gibson has 28 years' experience in commercial real estate transactions, representing U.S. and international clients in the acquisition, disposition and development of, and joint venture investment in, the full range of asset classes. His practice also includes the representation of real estate companies in various consolidation and capital market transactions, including the consolidation and roll-up of real estate operating companies and property portfolios.

Tucker's 27 years of experience has focused on the development, acquisition, financing, leasing and disposition of office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, industrial parks, residential apartment and condominium projects and mixed use developments.

King & Spalding's real estate practice provides experienced and sophisticated advice on a complete range of commercial real estate transactions for some of the world's largest financial institutions, institutional investors, funds, investment advisors, asset managers, real estate investment trusts and developers. The firm has a leading real estate capital markets practice and has earned a reputation for its creative structuring of mergers and acquisitions and complex equity and debt financing transactions for real estate clients.

King & Spalding has represented clients operating in the Middle East for more than 20 years. From its regional offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh (affiliated office), King & Spalding brings a high level of on-the-ground service to companies in the Middle East and North Africa that need dynamic, effective support for their business endeavors. The firm's client-centered approach and its familiarity with the cultural and legal complexities of doing business in the Middle East enable King & Spalding to complete matters successfully and efficiently for its regional clients under the unique circumstances presented in each jurisdiction and commercial situation.

About King & Spalding

King & Spalding is an international law firm with more than 880 lawyers in Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dubai, Frankfurt, Houston, London, New York, Riyadh (affiliated office), San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. The firm represents half of the Fortune 100 and in Corporate Counsel surveys consistently has been among the top firms representing Fortune 250 companies. For additional information, visit www.kslaw.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Kimberly Brooks King & Spalding 212-827-4378