Firm boosts Banking & Finance capability

Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla has boosted its Banking & Finance practice with the appointment of Sandeep Puri as a partner in Dubai last month. He is the fourth lateral partner to have joined the firm since Baker & McKenzie and Habib Al Mulla merged in July 2013, bringing the total number of partners based in the UAE to 12.

The hire further enhances the firm's banking, finance and capital markets capability in the region, as well as bolstering the firm's India practice in the Middle East.

Puri is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and joins from Clifford Chance. He has been based in the UAE for over 12 years and has significant experience on both conventional and Islamic finance transactions across the Middle East and Africa, including project finance, corporate finance, asset finance, real estate finance and capital markets (including sukuk). He has represented both large regional and international financial institutions, as well as domestic and regional corporates across all industry sectors. He will also play an active role in the firm's India practice in the Middle East, led by Dubai-based Corporate partner Jayshree Gupta.

"We are delighted to welcome Sandeep Puri on board," said Dr. Habib Al Mulla, chairman of Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla. “He brings a wealth of expertise to our banking, finance and capital markets practice at a time when clients are increasingly turning to Dubai as an established regional financial centre."