Baker McKenzie Partner James Burdett Moves To Abu Dhabi From London
Baker McKenzie Partner James Burdett Moves To Abu Dhabi From London
His relocation follows several recent lateral appointments and promotions in the MENA regions
International law firm, Baker McKenzie, has announced the repositioning of funds partner James Burdett from London to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The move accentuates the firm’s dedication to bolstering its transactional practice group across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.
Burdett’s strong foundation in the province will significantly strengthen the firm’s services to clients, particularly in navigating intricate investment fund and private equity transactions.
David Allen, the co-head of Baker McKenzie’s EMEA corporate practice expressed, “Burdett’s relocation to the Middle East reflects the sharp uptick that we have seen in private capital activity in the UAE and throughout the region and the increase in fundraising from or focused on the region. He has an excellent global overview of private capital fundraising coupled with deep knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities that the region presents.”
Having led London’s investment funds group for 19 years, Burdett holds a prestigious Band 1 ranking in investment funds: Investor Representation by Chambers & Partners.
Osama Audi, the Abu Dhabi-based head of Baker McKenzie’s UAE corporate practice stated, “Our firm recognizes the importance of having a full-service investment funds and private equity offering in the backyard of many of our key clients in Abu Dhabi and the wider region. Burdett has been an integral member of our client teams supporting our key sovereign wealth fund, private equity and institutional investor clients in Abu Dhabi and across the region. The positive feedback received from clients to his move has been heartening.”
His expertise spans various institutional funds and investment structures, encompassing sectors including private equity, real estate, infrastructure, environmental markets, and energy transition. Burdett has vast experience in advising sovereign wealth funds and other financial institutions on multifaceted investment and asset-holding arrangements.
Burdett commented, “In recent years we’ve seen increasing activity in the region amongst our institutional and sponsor clients, alongside a growing appetite for expanding their investment remit globally, and into ever-more complex deals. I am excited to join a phenomenal team in the UAE and the broader MENA region as we seek to further lever the firm’s strengths in investment funds and complex transactional structuring for the benefit of our clients.”
Burdett’s relocation follows several recent lateral appointments and promotions in the MENA region, including Khaled Zowayed (real estate, Bahrain), Sahal Khalawi (regulatory and public policy, Saudi Arabia), Adil Hussain (banking and finance, UAE), Keri Watkins (real estate, UAE), Stephanie Samuell (M&A, Saudi Arabia) and Marcos Spanos (M&A Saudi Arabia).
