Press Release
| October 21, 2008
Dewey & LeBoeuf Announces Expansion and Investment In Middle East and Africa; Global Firm to Launch in Abu Dhabi and Doha in Early 2009
(New York, October 21, 2008) - Dewey & LeBoeuf today announces its intention to open further offices in major Middle East commercial centers, following the success of its January 2008 Dubai launch. In addition, two partners are relocating from London and New York to the firm's office in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dewey & LeBoeuf is finalizing plans to open new offices in Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Doha, Qatar. The offices will open once the respective licenses to operate have been granted by the Abu Dhabi and Qatar authorities - this process is expected to be completed by early 2009.
In addition to Dubai, Dewey & LeBoeuf has an existing Middle East office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Middle East practice will be chaired by partner Berge Setrakian.
"This is a key moment for Dewey & LeBoeuf, together with its global and Middle East clients," said firm Chairman, Steven H. Davis. "We are focused on establishing one of the premier practices in the region, to support and contribute to its rapid economic growth."
Davis added: "The Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, plus Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are at the forefront of some of the world's most important inward and outward investment opportunities today. Dewey & LeBoeuf's commitment to clients active in the Middle East region, coupled with our leading energy, project infrastructure, capital markets, funds and private equity sector capabilities, among others, make this a natural progression. We already act for some of the most exciting clients in the region and view these investments as part of the firm's on-going commitment to represent global clients across the world's commercial centers.
The expansion will be staffed by relocating Dewey & LeBoeuf partners and associates with key experience in these target practice groups and industry sectors, and select lateral partner hires.
Partner Kenneth Freeling will be relocating to Qatar from Dewey & LeBoeuf's Washington DC office. In Abu Dhabi, Dewey & LeBoeuf project finance partner Stephen Jurgenson will be relocating from London to launch the office. He will be supported by Dubai-based partner John Podgore, who will split his time between the two UAE offices. Podgore, who is an Arabic speaker, has deep project finance and infrastructure experience across the region.
"It is a most exciting time to be establishing these offices," said partner Berge Setrakian, who will chair the Middle East practice. "The success of our Dubai launch earlier this year, complemented by these openings, allows the firm to capitalize on the economic strength of the region. We will be working with some of the biggest Middle East and international investors in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and beyond."
Dewey & LeBoeuf intends to build out the Middle East regional offices across several key practice areas, including project finance, construction, infrastructure, real estate, corporate and finance - including Islamic finance, investment funds and private equity work. These practices dovetail with the oil and gas, utilities, power and pipeline global industry sector groups that make up a key area of Dewey & LeBoeuf's worldwide business focus.
South Africa
In a further move, two highly experienced project finance partners are relocating to Dewey & LeBoeuf's Johannesburg, South Africa, office. Peter A. Baumgaertner is moving from our New York office, joined by Scott Brodsky, who has worked on transactions all over Africa, from London. Our project finance, infrastructure, and natural resources expertise will be the key engines of growth for our Johannesburg office, across South Africa and the continent as a whole.
This memorandum is intended only as a general discussion of these issues. It is not considered to be legal advice. We would be pleased to provide additional details or advice about specific situations. For additional information on this important topic, please feel free to call upon your Dewey & LeBoeuf relationship partner. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form, without our prior written consent.
For further information on Dewey & LeBoeuf, please visit www.dl.com. +1 888 532 6383