Partner promotions at Kennedys’ Dubai office
Kennedys has appointed three new partners in Dubai as part of its annual round of promotions. Reem Bangina, Mehdi Seadon and Rishi Sengupta are among 17 promoted globally – nine women and eight men – and take the total number of partners worldwide to 349.
Rishi Sengupta handles complex commercial disputes with an emphasis insurance/reinsurance. He also provides coverage advice to insurers/reinsurers across all property, energy, liability and financial lines of insurance. Rishi is regularly instructed by insurers and reinsurers, and acts as defence counsel for various professionals and commercial enterprises. He has been with Kennedys for over a decade, having started with the Indian associates Tuli & Co and since 2012 with Kennedys in Dubai. He is recognised as a leading insurance lawyer in the middle east for over four years by international publications.
Reem Bangina has been part of Kennedys’ global aviation team for more than a decade and moved to the UAE last year to lead the firm’s aviation and transport practice in Dubai. She specialises in contentious aviation/aerospace, transport and logistics matters and has extensive experience in advising and litigating for airlines, general aviation operators, airports, ground handling agents and their (re)insurers across multiple jurisdictions. She also advises clients on non-contentious issues including contractual liability, risk management and regulatory queries.
Mehdi Seadon specialises in insurance coverage work in property, energy, and construction, financial lines, trade credit and aviation related claims. With over 12 years’ experience specialising in insurance and reinsurance law in the United Arab Emirates and England & Wales, he regularly advises clients on the merits and pursuit of subrogated recoveries. His caseload includes international disputes involving risks across the Middle East and North Africa.
Peter Ellingham, managing partner in Dubai, said, “I would like to congratulate Reem, Mehdi and Rishi on their richly deserved promotions, which add to the growing and diverse team in the region. Working alongside them, I have seen first-hand their commitment and contribution to the firm and its clients, and I look forward to seeing their careers continue to flourish.”
Nick Thomas, senior partner, said, “The success of the firm is down to the exceptional talent of our people, and it is incredibly rewarding to be able to welcome this year’s cohort into the partnership. Each and every one of them has worked hard to reach this milestone in their career, bringing depth and breadth of knowledge to their colleagues and clients.”
Alan Demirkaya, chief people officer, added, “We place a real emphasis on investing in and nurturing our talent by providing clear career progression and a comfortable, inclusive working environment and supportive culture where they can thrive.”
