Steven Henderson joins Eversheds Sutherland as new head of Real Estate

Eversheds Sutherland has appointed leading real estate and hospitality lawyer, Steven Henderson, as a partner in its Real Estate team in Dubai. He joins from Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla.

Henderson’s appointment bolsters Eversheds Sutherland’s real estate and hospitality experience and capability in the Middle East. He is dual qualified to practice in England and Wales, and the United Arab Emirates, and has 16 years’ experience practising in the region advising on local and international mandates, and has extensive multi-disciplinary real estate practice advising across pre-lets, leasing, acquisitions, disposals, development and hotels and hospitality.

Henderson will lead the Real Estate team in the Middle East, and focus on growing the practice in the region, harnessing business development opportunities through the firm’s strong local network and global platform to service clients within the UAE and beyond.

He arrives from Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla, where he spent eight years leading its Real Estate and Hospitality Practice in Dubai. Prior to this, Steven was Head of Real Estate, Middle East, at Clifford Chance, a position he held since 2006. He is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers, and is as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500.

Gurjit Atwal, partner & co-head of Global Real Estate & Planning at Eversheds Sutherland, said, “I am delighted Steven has joined our global real estate group. As one of the Region’s leading real estate lawyers, he brings with him a wealth of experience and enviable reputation in the Real Estate and Leisure sectors. Combined with our established Middle East real estate team, Steven’s arrival further enhances the depth of expertise we offer clients in these sectors”.

Tawfiq Tabbaa, regional managing partner of Eversheds Sutherland Middle East, said, “We’re excited to welcome such a prominent real estate, hotels and leisure lawyer of Steven’s calibre into our Middle East team. His experience, in addition to our existing offering, will prove invaluable as we continue to grow this busy and expanding practice on the ground. Steven has a proven track record in the region, with a wealth of experience and client relationships which will further develop not only our local offering, but our global expertise. We’re delighted to have him on board.”

Steven Henderson commented, “I am excited to be joining Eversheds Sutherland to strengthen and continue to grow the Middle East real estate and hospitality practice. The firm has deep roots in the Middle East region and strong global real estate expertise – a great fit for my practice and clients. It is a fantastic platform and the Partners and team have been so welcoming. I am looking forward to working with them all and tackling the new opportunities at Eversheds Sutherland.”