Herbert Smith Freehills celebrated the success of Caroline Kehoe (Dubai-based Partner) being named the winner of the "Women in Business Law" award and the firm being listed as one of the main legal advisors to the Barakah nuclear power project, which was awarded "Project Finance Deal of the Year".
Herbert Smith Freehills celebrated at the International Financial Law Review's 12th annual Middle East Awards, hosted last night at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
The firm celebrated the success of Caroline Kehoe (Dubai-based Partner) being named the winner of the "Women in Business Law" award and the firm being listed as one of the main legal advisors to the Barakah nuclear power project, which was awarded "Project Finance Deal of the Year".
The IFLR Middle East Awards celebrates legal innovation, recognising the best work in both private practice and in-house departments that teams, firms and individuals have achieved over the last 12 months.
Women In Business Law Award – Winner: Caroline Kehoe
Caroline was one of only two private practice lawyers nominated for the "Women in Business Law" award and the only nominee with a disputes practice. During her tenure in the Middle East she has successfully established and led the Energy Disputes team to being recognised as one of the most prominent practices in the region. For example, for the past two consecutive years she has led the team to being awarded "Energy Disputes Law Firm of the Year in the UAE" by Global Law Experts and being awarded "Best in Oil & Gas Disputes" by Acquisition International Excellence Awards 2016.
Justin D'Agostino, Herbert Smith Freehills' Global Head of Disputes commented:
"I am extremely pleased for Caroline in receiving this award, particularly given the important contributions she has made to the teams in the Middle East over the past five years and to the wider firm over the past 20 years as one of our senior energy disputes lawyers."
Since joining the Dubai office as the only female partner nearly five years ago, Caroline launched the office's "Women in Business" programme. Since its inception the Dubai office now has over 100 active participants who regularly attend and participate in a mix of events and informative seminars.
Caroline Kehoe, Partner, commented:
"I am honoured to have received this recognition. I am extremely fortunate to have been able to work with such fantastic teams throughout my time at the firm and would like to thank my fellow partners, associates and business service teams for their contributions. I am pleased to have been able to play an active role in promoting the firm's values around "women in business" and "diversity and inclusion" both in the legal profession and wider business community."
Project Finance Deal of the Year Award – Winner: Barakah Nuclear Project
The Barakah 5,600MW nuclear power project in Abu Dhabi, is the United Arab Emirates's first nuclear power station and is widely regarded as an important project for the region, particularly as the United Arab Emirates looks to achieve its clean energy (including renewable and nuclear energy) production targets of 7% by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050.
The nuclear site, being built by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Cooperation, is expected to be fully completed by 2020, with Unit 1 reactor set to become operational in 2018.
Mark Newbery, Consultant (Global Energy Group), commented:
"The Herbert Smith Freehills team is extremely pleased to be have been able to advise on this landmark project within the region."
Since 2012, Herbert Smith Freehills' lawyers based in London and Dubai have been advising on the Barakah power project in Abu Dhabi. The core Herbert Smith Freehills team included Matthew Job (Partner and Head of Power), Mark Newbery, (Consultant, Global Energy Group), Sarah Pollock (Partner, Global Energy Group), Joanne Elson (Senior Associate, Finance) and Phil Hanson (Senior Associate, Projects and Finance).
Anthony Ellis, Partner and Head of Middle East Projects and Finance commented:
"I am glad that members of our Energy and Infrastructure teams in Dubai and London were involved in such an important project for the region. This new facility is set to provide the United Arab Emirates with electricity from nuclear energy for the first time as the country seeks to diversify its energy resources to keep up with rising demand as the country and its population continues to grow."