Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) is delighted to announce that energy, projects and infrastructure expert Alhassane Barry has joined the firm as a Partner in Dubai. He arrives from Clifford Chance, where he was Counsel in their Worldwide Projects Group in the same city, having previously worked in their offices in Washington DC, Paris and Abu Dhabi.
Alhassane specialises in international project development and financing, with a strong emphasis on the Middle East and Africa where his experience spans over 28 countries. He has advised on deals across the entire spectrum of the energy sector (including renewables, conventional and oil & gas), as well as on infrastructure, petrochemicals, mining and metals transactions. Alhassane has been recognised as an expert by leading legal directories and has built strong relationships with a wide range of clients, having advised borrowers, sponsors, developers, private equity firms, large corporates and financiers (including ECAs, multilateral agencies, development financial institutions and commercial banks) on projects in the Middle East and Africa.
Qualified in both New York and Paris, he is fluent in French and English, in addition to Fulani, Sussu and Mandingo.
Global Energy Sector Co-Head Henry Stewart commented: “Alhassane brings a wealth of experience working at the highest level on energy, project and infrastructure deals across the Middle East and Africa. His talent, experience and wide network of connections makes him a perfect fit for WFW and his arrival is a significant step forward in our plans to build a truly global energy practice”.
Dubai Office Head Andrew Baird commented: “The Middle East is both a large exporter and consumer of energy and Dubai is a major hub for a variety of project developers, investors, sponsors and financiers operating in the region and using the UAE as a hub for their outbound investments in Middle East and Africa. So, it is fantastic to bring on board someone who can combine great knowledge of and exposure to local markets with heavyweight international experience. I’m delighted to welcome Alhassane to the firm”.
Alhassane said: “It is a very exciting to be joining WFW as there is a perfect alignment between its platform, core values and principles and my practice and ambitions. It is widely renowned for providing top quality service and commitment to its clients, has an international outlook with a strong presence in all major financial centres and has bold global ambitions for its energy, project and infrastructure practice that I fully embrace. I look forward to working with my new colleagues across Europe, the Middle East and Asia to continue expanding the strong reputation of WFW as a key adviser to the big players in the energy, project and infrastructure sectors in the Middle East and Africa”.
