DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -
- Firm Adds Partners in Dubai, Abu Dhabi; Upgrades, Expands Office Space in Region
Client demand for legal services in the Middle East continues to fuel expansion for Baker Botts L.L.P. (www.bakerbotts.com/), prompting the firm to increase its commitment to the region by opening an office in Abu Dhabi — its third in the Middle East — and upgrading and expanding the firm’s current offices in Dubai and Riyadh.
Abu Dhabi is a natural fit for Baker Botts given the firm’s extensive background in energy-related matters, which has been recently confirmed by a Band 1 ranking in Chambers Global 2009 Projects & Energy: Oil and Gas and Projects Work categories.
The growth of office space corresponds with the increase of Baker Botts lawyers in the region. During the past five years, the firm has more than tripled the number of lawyers based in the Middle East. When Baker Botts opened its Dubai office in early 2005, there were only five Baker Botts lawyers in the region. Now more than 20 Baker Botts lawyers work with clients from offices in Dubai, Riyadh and the recently-established Abu Dhabi location.
“Since we opened in Dubai, clients either based in or with interests in the Middle East have increasingly sought out our lawyers for assistance on a broad range of matters. We reached the point where we needed to expand our resources in order to maintain the high level of client service that is a trademark of our firm,” said Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith.
During the past year, Baker Botts lawyers have worked on significant representations from Middle East offices as the firm builds a strong footprint in the region. These representations include a major independent power project program, a number of key merger and acquisition matters, projects relating to the development of Iraq’s oil and gas fields, and the financing of expansion plans for a number of chemical plants.
Recently, Shibeer Ahmed (www.bakerbotts.com/lawyers/detail.aspx?id=1e1e73c4-1a5d-467e-b439-17a8dc109f6d) joined Baker Botts as a partner in Dubai. Ahmed has extensive experience in conventional banking and infrastructure and power project finance, with expertise in Islamic financing that encompasses project, structured and syndicated financings. He also advises clients on financings involving export credit agencies, development finance institutions and multilateral agencies.
In addition, Greg Golden (www.bakerbotts.com/lawyers/detail.aspx?id=4665e0af-4afb-44b9-b4e1-74cbc5e1a6f2), a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office with an extensive background in international transactional matters, has relocated to the region to serve as the Partner in Charge of the firm’s new Abu Dhabi office.
Baker Botts lawyers in Abu Dhabi will work closely with the firm’s resources in Dubai and Riyadh to provide services to clients throughout the Middle East. The firm intends to occupy space in Tower 1 of the new Sowwah Square Central Business District development in Abu Dhabi when the building is completed, which could be as early as mid-2010. While the building is under construction, firm lawyers will work out of office space in the Al Bateen Area of Abu Dhabi.
Further evidence of Baker Botts’ regional growth is the doubling of the firm’s office space in Dubai and Riyadh. In July 2008, Baker Botts moved into new offices at Emaar Square in Dubai. The office is located between the landmark Burj Dubai and the Dubai International Finance Center (DIFC). In Riyadh, the firm is finishing out space in the Mashareq Tower, a new building facing King Fahad Road in downtown Riyadh. This space should be completed this summer.
About Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P., dating from 1840, is a leading international law firm with offices in Abu Dhabi, Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Moscow, New York, Palo Alto (California), Riyadh and Washington. With approximately 760 lawyers, Baker Botts provides a full range of legal services to international, national and regional clients. For more information, please visit www.bakerbotts.com.
Source: Baker Botts L.L.P.
International media, Nadia Christodoulou, International Business Development Manager, +44-20-7726-3490, nadia.christodoulou at bakerbotts.com, or United States media, Michael Cinelli, Associate Director, Public Relations, +1-713-229-1764, mike.cinelli at bakerbotts.com, both of Baker Botts L.L.P.
Related Press Releases
Brand New Conference on Developing 21st Century Military Medical Capabilities to be Held in Abu DhabiAugust 2nd, 2009 ABU DHABI, UAE - The region's first and only summit on military medicine, Defence Healthcare 2009 will be held from 22nd - 25th November 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Developed in collaboration with global military medical leaders and experts from the British Army, Bahrain Defense Force, Riyadh Military Hospital, UK Royal Army Medical Corps, Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine, NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine and Saudi Arabia Armed Forces Medical Services, this premier event is designed to transform the region's military medical capabilities.
Announcing a Brand New Event for the World's Most Dynamic Aviation RegionJuly 27th, 2009 LONDON -
December 14-16 2009 Hilton International, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The organisers of the ATC Global conference & exhibition are delighted to announce an important new event focused on the Middle East. With the full support and endorsement of the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority, the ATC Global Middle East Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 14-15, 2009.
Unprecedented Gathering of Renowned Soldier Modernisation Programme Managers and Researchers at Soldier Modernisation Middle East 2009, Abu DhabiJuly 18th, 2009 ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - The 2nd Soldier Modernisation Middle East will be held from 18th to 21st October 2009 at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi. Here, leading programme managers and key experts from renowned science and technology organisations will gather to update the Middle East's key defence stakeholders on the latest findings from their trials and validations as well as innovative strategies to advance the combat capabilities of the modern soldier.
Dates Announced for the Middle East's Only Conference on Fire Support and ArtilleryJuly 6th, 2009 ABU DHABI, UAE - The region's first and only summit on fire support and artillery, Future Artillery Middle East 2009 will be held from 18 to 21 October 2009 at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi. Developed in collaboration with global military leaders from French Artillery, Royal Netherlands Armed Forces and The Royal Artillery Headquarters, this premier event is designed to transform the region's fire support capabilities into a true force multiplier and revolutionise the effectiveness of the artillery community.
Rosneft Reaches US $15 Billion Loan Agreement With ChinaJune 23rd, 2009 MOSCOW -
- Baker Botts Lawyers Counsel Russian Oil, Gas Company in Complex Oil Supply Transaction
A US $15 billion loan agreement between Russian oil and gas company Rosneft and the Chinese government is the first step in the development of a major oil supply contract between the two countries. The agreement, which closed in April of 2009, is one of the largest private loans booked in Russia this year.
Regional Landscaping Industry Remains UpbeatMay 12th, 2009 ABU DHABI, UAE - The regional outdoor architecture and landscaping industry remains upbeat about the outlook for the future of the industry with many companies confirming their presence at the Gulf Landscaping event in Abu Dhabi. The Gulf Landscaping exhibition runs from the 9th - 10th November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and is an opportunity for companies in this industry to network and do business with buyers and decision makers from across the Middle East.
FM Sector 'Set for Continued Strong Growth'May 5th, 2009 ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Companies in the facilities management sector continue to have a positive outlook, despite the slowing economy. Taking advantage of this, the Working Buildings Middle East exhibition, incorporating Fit-Out Middle East, runs at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, from the 9th - 10th of November and aims to offer companies in this sector an opportunity to network and do business with buyers and decision makers from across the Middle East.
Former Presidential Adviser for Homeland Security Fran Townsend Joins Baker Botts L.L.P.March 31st, 2009 WASHINGTON - New Partner to Lead Firm's Global Security and Corporate Risk Counseling Practice
Fran Townsend, who served as the top homeland security adviser to former President George W. Bush for nearly four years, joined Baker Botts L.L.P.
U.A.E. Facilities Management Well Placed to Weather Economic DownturnMarch 29th, 2009 ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - The U.A.E. facilities management market is well placed to
weather the current economic downturn being felt around the region according
to United Business Media, the organisers of Working Buildings Middle East
incorporating Fit-Out Middle East; the international trade exhibition due to
take place on the 9th and 10th of November at the Abu Dhabi National
Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Abu Dhabi Continues Unabated With Urban and Outdoor Landscaping ProjectsMarch 25th, 2009 ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi continues to invest in the development of outdoor landscaping
in the capital, despite the less than favourable economic conditions the
world is currently facing. The 'Plan Abu Dhabi 2030' which was introduced
last year ensures that landscaping development in the emirates continues, and
plans for a national park with both green and sand belts.
Related News
UAE maritime expo registers huge responseSeptember 8th, 2009 ABU DHABI - The organisers of the Middle East Workboats exhibition have reported a 60 percent increase in exhibitors compared with the last year, despite the global slowdown, WAM news agency reported Tuesday. "More than 170 exhibitors from 25 countries will be taking part - a 60 percent increase over 2008.
Abu Dhabi expects over 50 percent growth in cruise tourismJuly 9th, 2009 ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has forecast a 59 percent growth in cruise passenger arrivals in the 2009-10 season, WAM news agency reported Thursday. Forecasts by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which manages the emirate's tourism industry, showed about 200,000 arrivals in the season, which will run from the end of November to the beginning of May 2010, as compared to 125,200 passenger arrivals in the previous season.
Abu Dhabi Airport registers strong passenger growthAugust 22nd, 2009 ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi International Airport has recorded strong growth in number of passengers despite the economic downturn, WAM news agency reported Saturday. Passenger numbers for July exceeded 900,000, as figures showed that 923,124 people travelled through the airport in the month.
Jeev leads Indian challenge at Abu Dhabi Open golfJanuary 13th, 2009 ABU DHABI - Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh will tee off with the reigning Masters champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa in the season opening Abu Dhabi Open here Thursday. Asian Tour No.1 Jeev, who won four times last year and rose to 35th in the world, leads the Indian contingent of four golfers as the first leg of the Middle-East swing gets underway at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Abu Dhabi, India air traffic increases despite slowdownApril 28th, 2009 ABU DHABI - With the launching of new flights between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the air traffic between the two nations has grown considerably even at a time of global slowdown. Driven by UAE's national career Etihad's growing capacity to South India and increased weekly frequencies, traffic at the Abu Dhabi International Airport from and to India increased by 32 percent, making India the largest market, WAM news reported.
UAE's Etihad Airways expands its US operationsSeptember 4th, 2009 ABU DHABI - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has expanded its US operations by adding one more city to its network, WAM news agency reported Friday. The airline has launched flights from its Abu Dhabi home-base to the US city of Chicago.
Abu Dhabi, a strong candidate for headquarters of Renewable Energy AgencyApril 8th, 2009 DUBAI - The emirate of Abu Dhabi in the UAE, although an oil producer, is considered to be one of the strong candidates for hosting the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which was officially established in Bonn earlier this year. The United Arab Emirates have been actively promoting renewable energy, and Abu Dhabi in particular has launched the innovative Masdar initiative - a pioneering project which will be the world's first carbon - neutral, zero waste city.
Lost wallet returns after 63 years behind school bleachers, rekindling memories for Oregon manJune 30th, 2009 Oregon man's wallet resurfaces after 63 yearsBAKER CITY, Ore. — Bill Fulton doesn't remember losing his wallet, but getting it back more than 60 years later helped him remember the past.
Abu Dhabi leads in employment opportunities in GulfSeptember 17th, 2009 ABU DHABI - The capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accounted for 23 percent of all advertised jobs in the Gulf region in the first six months of this year, a study has showed. Abu Dhabi's share of jobs advertised in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries grew by nine percent this year compared to the same period in 2008.
Futuristic city near Abu Dhabi will be carbon neutralJuly 10th, 2009 LONDON - The futuristic city to come up on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi will meet its entire energy requirements from renewable sources, producing neither carbon dioxide nor waste. Masdar City is to be constructed on a six square km area, 30 km east of the capital Abu Dhabi.
