King & Spalding has recruited projects lawyer Brendan Hundt as a partner in its Corporate, Finance and Investments (CFI) practice group in the United Arab Emirates. Hundt will split time between the firm’s Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices as a member of its Middle East Energy and Project Finance team. Hundt was most recently a partner in the Dubai office of Shearman & Sterling.
Hundt advises on international project development and finance in the infrastructure, utilities, energy transition and oil and gas sectors across the Middle East and North Africa region. He represents corporate and government-owned clients and has extensive experience on both the sponsor and lender sides of projects.
“Brendan’s portfolio includes many of the pathfinder projects in the Middle East, so he brings invaluable insights and experience to our Projects team and further strengthens our energy and infrastructure foothold in the region,” said Todd Holleman, head of the firm’s CFI practice group.
Hundt earned his Business and L.L.B degrees from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Hundt is the latest partner to join King & Spalding in the Middle East, following the addition of projects partner Dan Feldman in Abu Dhabi last month. The firm also promoted Abu Dhabi-based James Clark to partner in January. They join long-time King & Spalding partner Tim Burbury, who helps lead the firm’s global energy and project finance transactional team and global construction transactional team.
“We’ve been strategically growing our projects practice as the Middle East infrastructure market is booming with large-scale projects across the region, and we are excited about top-quality hires like Brendan and Dan that further strengthen our award-winning teams in the United Arab Emirates,” said Nabil Issa, managing partner of the firm’s Middle East offices. “There are several current key initiatives – such as COP 28 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030 – that are focused on economic growth and energy transition with a focus on power, water and clean energy opportunities. Adding Brendan further evidences our commitment to the Middle East to meet those client needs.”
“King & Spalding’s strong global energy and infrastructure platform and continuing commitment to leading clients through the energy transition are a great fit for my skillset and interests,” said Hundt. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to help grow the practice both here in the Middle East and globally at a time when the projects market continues to present new and exciting opportunities.”
