Abu Dhabi — Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, has bolstered its Middle East Energy, Transport and Infrastructure (ETI) practice with the arrival of veteran ETI lawyers Kenny Paton, who relocates to Abu Dhabi from Scotland, and Edward Rose who joined from Jones Day, Saudi Arabia. Associate Khomotso Kekana has also recently joined from Allen & Overy, South Africa.

Kenny joins as the Head of Oil and Gas for the Middle East and is a highly experienced lawyer with more than 25 years of experience across the oil and gas value chain globally, particularly in the North Sea, Africa and the Middle East, having worked both as in-house counsel and in private practice for international law firms in London, Aberdeen and Cape Town.

Edward, who joined the Firm during March to spearhead its ETI practice on the ground in Saudi Arabia, has been based there since 2014. He has more than 25 years of experience working on Middle East projects, including advising clients on international energy, infrastructure and related corporate matters. During his professional career, Edward has acted for government entities, international energy companies, project developers, contractors and large-scale corporations on a diverse range of high-value transactions. He specialises in advising on the development and financing of infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East.

Khomotso joins as associate in the ETI practice in Dentons’ Abu Dhabi office. He has experience working on a wide range of energy matters, including advising clients on the financing and development of renewable energy projects (solar PV and onshore wind projects).

The Firm also recently promoted Yasser Taqi to partner in the Muscat office to lead its push in the ETI space in Oman. As a native Arabic speaker, Yasser also works across the region (including in Saudi Arabia) where he has been advising on multiple energy-related mandates.

“Our recent strategy review made it clear we would have to invest further in our ETI offering in the region. These arrivals are integral to Dentons’ continued support of our Oil and Gas and ETI clients, in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and wider Middle East,” said Jon Nash, Head of the Middle East ETI team, based in Abu Dhabi. “Their arrival further strengthens our already thriving practice and I look forward to working with them on new and exciting mandates. We are looking at significant further investment in the near future.”

“I am very excited to be relocating with Dentons from Scotland to our Abu Dhabi office as Head of Oil and Gas Middle East,” said Kenny. “I’m very much looking forward to working with a great team in a hugely vibrant and exciting region and continuing to work closely with colleagues as part of the Dentons global energy team.”

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