Today's Edition
A.SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Paul Hastings, the US-based multinational legal firm, is set to open an office in Abu Dhabi to strengthen its practice in the Middle East, according to a company statement.
Two eminent legal practitioners, Dinmukhamed (Din) Eshanov and George Kazakov, are joining the firm as co-heads from White & Case, another international law firm. The duo will lead an international team spanning the Abu Dhabi, London, and Paris offices, enhancing the firm’s energy and infrastructure capabilities while complementing its existing US practice.
“The addition of this strong, international team, alongside our elite US infrastructure and energy group, expands our global reach in high-value transactional work, including finance, M&A, restructuring, and large-scale infrastructure development,” said the firm’s Chair, Frank Lopez.
“We currently represent a wide range of sovereign wealth funds, asset managers, banks, and corporates across the globe, and we look forward to gaining more market share,” Lopez added.
Eshanov, an alumnus of Harvard Law School, specialises in project development and finance, advising clients on a broad range of project development and construction agreements. He joins the firm after just under four years at White & Case as a partner. Prior to his time at White & Case, Eshanov spent more than 13 years at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, the first four-and-a-half as an associate in New York and then as a senior counsel in Abu Dhabi, according to online information.
“It is exciting to be part of the team leading the buildup of the Abu Dhabi-based practice, which will serve as a hub for regional clients and transactions, as well as a vital bridge with Europe, the US, and Asia for the firm's clients,” said Eshanov.
“Helping expand the reach of European investors into the Middle East and facilitating investments from the region into Europe will be a cornerstone of the strategy.”
Kazakov, who holds degrees from the University of Toronto, Trinity College, and McGill University, focuses on private equity, M&A, and finance transactions in the infrastructure sector. He will divide his time between Abu Dhabi and European offices.
He also arrives after just under four years at White & Case, where he was a partner. He previously spent seven years at Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners as global investment counsel. Prior to that, he spent more than five years at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, just over two years at Davis Polk & Wardwell, and two years at Sullivan & Cromwell, according to online information.
“We are thrilled to join Paul Hastings as the firm builds its global energy and infrastructure practice. With Paul Hastings’ incredible global platform and deep existing energy and infra capabilities, we are well-positioned to support clients navigating complex transactions in the region and globally,” said Kazakov. “We look forward to working with a world-class team to further strengthen our client relationships and drive the firm’s strategic growth internationally.”
