Paul Hastings boosts infrastructure reach with Abu Dhabi launch

Paul Hastings is expanding its energy and infrastructure practice with the launch of a new office in Abu Dhabi and the hire of a top European energy and infrastructure team from White & Case, just weeks after losing two of its own stars to Freshfields.

The US heavyweight has recruited partners Din Eshanov and George Kazakov to co-head its new Abu Dhabi base, part of a broader play to expand its infrastructure and energy bench across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The pair join from White & Case and will lead a cross-border team spanning Abu Dhabi, London and Paris. A third partner is understood to be joining the firm’s Paris office, reports Law.com.

Bigger picture

The Abu Dhabi launch marks a calculated bet by Paul Hastings on the future of infrastructure and energy investment flowing through the Middle East.

The firm already has ties to the region.

Paul Hastings veteran Martin Edelman serves as general counsel of Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42 and is also a director at GlobalFoundries - one of the world’s largest outsourced chipmakers, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, according to Bloomberg.

That could present opportunities for Paul Hastings in the booming AI infrastructure space, on top of the traditional oil and gas-focused work that dominates the region.

At the same time, the firm is regrouping after the high-profile exits last month of Jessamy Gallagher and Stuart Rowson, two of its most prominent London infrastructure partners.

Their departure was widely seen as a coup for Freshfields, which has been doubling down on private capital and infrastructure work.

What they said

Eshanov said: "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 added: "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."