Robert W. Jordan Returns to Middle East as Partner In Charge for Baker Botts L.L.P.

Robert W. Jordan, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, will return to the region this summer as Partner In Charge - Middle East Offices for Baker Botts L.L.P.

A Baker Botts partner in its Dallas office since 1985, Jordan left the firm to serve as ambassador to Saudi Arabia from October 2001 until October 2003. As ambassador, he worked closely with then-U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in matters such as the historic presidential summit meetings in Crawford, Texas and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and the accession of Saudi Arabia to the WTO.

Jordan returned to the firm's Dallas office in April 2004 to continue his international business, government relations and dispute resolution practice. In a career spanning more than 35 years, he has advised major corporations in Middle East business, corporate strategy and dispute resolution matters. He has participated in Middle East engagements in the energy, transportation, security, defense, health care, hospitality, technology, educational, mining and financial sectors.

"Maintaining a strong presence in the Middle East is a strategic imperative for Baker Botts, and we are fortunate to have someone with Ambassador Jordan's depth of experience in the region to take on this assignment," said Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith. "Bob is well-known not only in Saudi Arabia but throughout the Middle East. That will be beneficial to our clients with business interests in the region and those who are based there and are investing abroad."

Jordan will move into his new assignment when David Emmons, currently Partner In Charge -- Middle East Offices, returns to the firm's Dallas office this summer. During his three years as Partner In Charge - Middle East Offices, Emmons guided the firm's growth in the region, including the opening of a new office in Abu Dhabi, the relocation of offices in both Dubai and Riyadh, and the substantial increase in the number of firm lawyers based in the region.

"David has done a great job building a strong team of lawyers to service our client base in the Middle East and reaffirming our commitment to the region," Smith said. "We expect to continue building on that strength as Bob returns to the region this summer."

Baker Botts has had offices in the Middle East since 2001. The firm now has more than 20 lawyers in three offices -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh -- who represent clients on Middle East projects in a variety of industries, including energy, consumer products, healthcare, telecommunications, defense, real estate, power and water, transportation, and conventional and Islamic banking.