U.S. law firm Baker Botts has appointed Vanessa Abernethy as a partner in its Dubai office. Abernethy, who specialises in capital markets work has assisted clients on numerous NASDAQ Dubai listings, mergers and acquisitions and transactions on the Abu Dhabi Securities market, joins the firm from the Dubai office of English law firm Simmons & Simmons where she was also a partner.

Some of Abernethy’s recent transactions include advising a sovereign-owned entity in the hospitality industry with its proposed acquisition of a 33 percent stake in a global hotel chain. She also represented a Lebanese group in the mining industry in connection with its acquisition of a 70 percent stake in a UAE-based company with mining operations in Guinea.

Robert Jordan, the partner-in-charge of the firm’s Middle East practice, said the addition of Abernethy will assist the firm expand its regional practice beyond energy and resources.

"Since opening in Riyadh more than 10 years ago, in Dubai in 2005 and Abu Dhabi in 2009, our Middle East portfolio has expanded beyond energy industry issues," he said. "While we remain heavily involved in energy, we are now regularly working on complex and novel projects and sophisticated transactions throughout the region, particularly involving government entities. We will continue to expand our capabilities to support the needs of clients either based in the region or looking to do business here."

The firm recently represented on two high-profile matters: The project development and financing work for the Saudi Electric Company— the firm was international and Saudi counsel on the company’s IPP program— as well as counsel to Mitsubishi Corporation on its South Gas Project.

The appointment of Abernethy means Baker Botts now boasts 25 lawyers across its three Middle East offices (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh). Over the past 12 months the firm has added seven lawyers to its Gulf practice.