Blakes will be partnering in the Saudi firm of Dr. Saud Al-Ammari, whohas experience in a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters bothinside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Ammari served for 10 years as special counsel and later generalattorney for Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's national oil company, the world'slargest oil producer. He has also advised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"One growing area of opportunity for our Canadian clients is theMiddle East and particularly the countries that are part of the GulfCooperation Council (GCC). They are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United ArabEmirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, where a substantial portion of the world'soil and gas reserves are located,” said Brock Gibson, the firm's chair.

The firm will be focusing on energy, infrastructure, corporate, banking,mining, communications and technology, combined with its traditional M&A,securities, private equity and arbitration practices.

Leading Blake’s Gulf initiative is Dan Fournier, a senior partner in thefirm’s energy and finance practice. Fournier will chair the Gulf initiative,while Dr. Al-Ammari, will join Blakes as a partner, and become managing partnerof the offices in the region.