Abu Dhabi —Leading global law firm Dentons has further strengthened its Corporate practice in Abu Dhabi with the appointment of two new partners, Stephen McKenna and Ross Barfoot, both formerly of Clyde & Co. This move bolsters Dentons' capabilities in the Middle East, reinforcing its commitment to serving the region's diverse corporate legal needs. They join the firm on 5 February.

Stephen McKenna brings a wealth of regional expertise to Dentons and specialises in corporate transactions and advisory work, encompassing cross-border M&A, joint ventures, regulatory and licensing matters, commercial contracts, market entry, and corporate structuring. His expertise extends across key sectors, including Aviation, Logistics, Healthcare, and Industrials.

Ross Barfoot joins the team with a decade of partnership experience, having cultivated a multifaceted practice encompassing corporate transactions and advisory services. His proficiency in cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and regulatory matters, along with his deep understanding of market entry strategies and corporate structuring, has made him a trusted advisor across the Education, Hospitality, Oil & Gas, and Healthcare sectors.

Jon Nash, Managing Partner of Dentons Middle East, noted: "Stephen and Ross's addition to our Abu Dhabi Corporate team significantly enhances our service capabilities in the Middle East. Their expertise arrives at an opportune time as we anticipate further increase in the need for corporate execution capability on the ground in Abu Dhabi and the wider region in 2024. Stephen and Ross's expertise ensures that we are well-equipped to provide our clients with comprehensive support across a wide range of sectors."

Echoing this sentiment, Paul Jarvis, CEO of Dentons UK, Ireland, and Middle East (UKIME), remarked on the strategic alignment: "The integration of Stephen and Ross into our Abu Dhabi office is a testament to our focused five-year strategy for UKIME, which includes the expansion of our Corporate team's expertise. Their collaborative approach and regional knowledge are invaluable assets that will undoubtedly contribute to seizing the growth opportunities in this dynamic region and enhance our client services."

Stephen and Ross join Dentons following a string of recent senior hires in the Middle East, including David Pang, who joined the firm's Corporate team and Hazel Shakur-Quinn who joined the Real Estate team. Other recent hires include the arrival of veteran ETI lawyer Kenny Paton, who relocated to Abu Dhabi from Scotland, and Edward Rose and Guy Danalis, who both joined from Jones Day, Saudi Arabia.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com