Middle East—Dentons, the world's largest law firm, is expanding its Middle East Banking and Finance Practice with the hire of Partner Umera Ali. She joins from DWF, where she was Head of Banking & Finance in the Middle East, Global Co-Head of Financial Services and Global Head of Islamic Finance. She will be based in Dentons' Dubai and Riyadh offices, and have a particular focus on the Saudi Arabia market.

Umera advises lenders, financial institutions, funds, sponsors, borrowers and issuers in corporate and structured finance transactions, including secured and unsecured, syndicated and bilateral loans, asset finance, Islamic finance, supply chain finance, trade finance and debt capital market transactions. She has significant experience of advising a global client base having worked in six jurisdictions throughout her career.

'Banking and Finance has always been of strategic importance to our Middle East region, and as a practice it remains in high demand during periods of both economic growth and uncertainty,' said Paul Jarvis, Chief Executive Officer of the UK, Ireland and Middle East. 'We already have strong finance capabilities across the region and Umera's arrival will provide added bench strength in the key jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia.' 

'Saudi's national growth strategy envisages a number of high profile projects that will require financing support,' said Alastair Young, Managing Partner - Middle East. 'Umera's experience of working on many of the most important transactions in the region, across a broad spectrum of finance-related mandates, will enhance the support we are able to provide our clients as they seize the opportunities in this growing market.'

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