Dentons, a global law firm, has announced the appointment of Stephen McKenna and Ross Barfoot as Partners to expand its Corporate Practice in Abu Dhabi, effective from February 5, 2024.

In addition to these leadership appointments, the law firm has also re-appointed Paul Jarvis as the Chief Executive Officer for the UK, Ireland, and Middle East (UKIME), effective from February 13, 2024.

These appointments bolster the law firm’s presence in the Middle East region, meeting diverse corporate legal needs of businesses.

In his new role, Stephen brings around 20 years of legal expertise across aviation, logistics, healthcare, and industrial sectors. He previously served Clyde & Co as a Partner, and also worked with Sammon Group as a Group Legal and Corporate Counsel, and Eversheds Sutherland as an Associate Solicitor for Corporate and Commercial operations. His core competencies include corporate transactions, legal advisory, cross-border M&A, joint ventures, regulatory and licensing matters, commercial contracts, market entry, and corporate structuring.

On the other hand, Ross brings around 22 years of expertise across the education, hospitality, oil & gas, and healthcare sectors. He also previously worked with Clyde & Co as a Corporate Partner and Global Head of Education, and served Trowers & Hamlins as a Senior Associate for over five years, and Mills & Reeve as a Senior Solicitor for more than six years. His core competencies include cross-border M&A, joint ventures, regulatory matters, market entry strategies, and corporate structuring.

Welcoming Ross and Stephen to the leadership team, Jon Nash, Managing Partner of Dentons Middle East, said, "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 ensure that we are well-equipped to provide our clients with comprehensive support across a wide range of sectors.”

CEO of Dentons UKIME, Paul, added, “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 enhancing our client services.”

In line with their strategic leadership plans in the Middle East, the law firm highlighted several key initiatives, including incorporating generative AI into day-to-day matter workflows, increasing diversity in their workforce, promoting healthy work practices, and committing to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance efforts.