King & Spalding has recruited Patrick McPherson and Randall Walker as partners in its Trial & Global Disputes Practice, based in Dubai, to expand the firm’s construction, energy and infrastructure disputes offering in the Middle East. McPherson, who previously worked in-house at Dutco/Balfour Beatty (Dubai) as Senior Legal Counsel, and Walker were most recently partners at CMS. 

McPherson acts on contentious and non-contentious construction matters, representing developers, contractors and sub-contractors across the Middle East. Walker handles energy and infrastructure-related disputes, including construction arbitrations, and project counsel mandates globally.

“Patrick and Randall are established construction and energy lawyers who have handled a host of complex matters for notable clients, so are a great addition for our litigation and international arbitration teams,” said Mike Stenglein, leader of the firm’s Global Construction and Engineering Disputes practice. “We are actively expanding our international construction disputes platform and Patrick and Randall are two impressive, entrepreneurial candidates who help further develop our footprint in the Middle East and internationally.”

“Patrick and Randall have vast experience, both in private practice and in-house, with Middle Eastern clients and multinational international clients operating in the Middle East so they know the dynamics of the market extensively,” said Jawad Ali, Managing Partner of the firm’s Middle East Offices. “The Middle East and in particular the GCC remains one of the most active regions for construction disputes, given the high levels of investment in infrastructure, including in the power and oil and gas sectors. Patrick and Randall will serve as a link between our capabilities in Asia and Europe and will further enhance our ability to service our clients on construction disputes arising from energy and infrastructure projects in the Middle East.”