US firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has strengthened its construction offering with the appointment of Herbert Smith Freehills’ James Bremen as its chair of the construction practice based in London.
With experience in the oil and gas, mining, water, power and major infrastructure sectors, Bremen has worked across 25 countries advising on both contentious and non-contentious construction matters. He regularly represents clients in other emerging markets, in particular Malaysia and the CIS countries.
Bremen will divide his time between London and Qatar where, notably, he has over a decade’s experience advising the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on major infrastructure projects and disputes.
Other clients of Bremen’s include Qatar Petroleum, Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas and education, science and community development non-profit Qatar Foundation.
Before joining HSF, Bremen had been partner at both King & Spalding and Maxwell Winward. He gained his experience at White & Case and McCullough Robertson.
Bremen is the third major lateral hire Quinn Emanuel has made to its London office this year. In March, the firm appointed DLA Piper UK competition head Kate Vernon to its competition practice. The firm also announced in February Clyde & Co litigator Paul Friedman would join as the firm continued to expand its Israel practice. Friedman joined the firm’s 12-partner team in London but splits his time between the City and Israel, despite the firm not having an office in the Middle East.
Managing partner John Quinn said the firm’s arbitration practice, and construction arbitration in particular, have been important growth areas for Quinn Emanuel. He added ‘we have long had significant clients in the Gulf region. James is a very good fit for us on multiple levels.’
London office co-managing partner Richard East said: ‘We are delighted to be able to welcome James to the firm and to be able to add another very significant litigation specialism to our growing practice in London.’
madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk