Dentons has further strengthened its Banking and Finance practice in the Middle East with the hire of partner Stephen Knight, who joins the Firm’s Abu Dhabi office. Stephen has lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for nearly a decade and joins Dentons from Allen & Overy.
Stephen advises grantors, sponsors/borrowers, and lenders on a wide range of finance transactions and regularly advises on both finance documents (conventional and Islamic) and commercial contracts. He has a particular specialism in infrastructure/BOT/PPP transactions, especially in the healthcare, education, retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors, and also advises on renewable and thermal power and water financings. Stephen advises on English law and UAE law transactions.
Paul Jarvis, Dentons’ Managing Partner for the Middle East, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Stephen to the Firm. Banking and Finance is one of our core strengths in the Middle East, and Stephen’s arrival will further enhance our practice, as well as support our wider infrastructure team. ”
Jon Nash, Dentons’ Abu Dhabi Managing Partner, added, “Stephen joins us at a time when our Abu Dhabi practice continues to thrive and expand. Stephen’s addition to our team put us in an even better position to meet the needs of current and future clients in Abu Dhabi and the wider region. When many other firms have retreated, we are delighted to affirm our future in the Abu Dhabi legal market with the arrival of such a renowned talent.”
Stephen is the fourth partner hire for Dentons in the UAE over the last six months, demonstrating the Firm’s commitment to bolstering its Middle East practice. His hire follows the recruitment of Corporate partner Ziad Saad earlier this month, Corporate partner Ghassan Shuhaibar in October and Energy partner Mhairi Main Garcia in November.
Dentons’ Middle East Banking and Finance practice is amongst the largest and most substantial in the region with top-ranked lawyers consistently delivering quality knowledge and expertise. The team has amassed an impressive bench of awards in recent months which includes three deal accolades at the prestigious Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards, five IFN Deal of the Year Awards, three EMEA Finance country awards in Oman, Jordan and Kuwait and the Banking & Finance Team of the Year award at The Oath Middle East Law Awards.
Source: www.dentons.com
