Dentons expands Saudi presence with new senior legal consultants

Dentons, the international law firm, has bolsters its presence in Saudi Arabia with the recent addition of two experienced legal consultants, Edward Rose (pictured left) and Guy Danalis (pictured right), both formerly of Jones Day. Based in Riyadh, the two consultants will bring their wealth of knowledge and expertise to the firm’s Energy, Transport and Infrastructure practice, and its Corporate practice, respectively. 

Edward Rose, who joined Dentons in March, has over 25 years of experience working on Middle East projects, including advising clients on international energy, infrastructure and corporate matters. He has acted for a diverse range of clients, including government entities, international energy companies, project developers, contractors, and large-scale corporations on high-value transactions. In particular, Rose specialises in advising on the development and financing of infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East. 

Guy Danalis, a seasoned corporate lawyer, brings his expertise in regional and international M&A, joint ventures, and private equity transactions to the firm’s Corporate practice. Having worked in the UAE for more than a decade, he has led and advised on high-value transactions throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asia Pacific region, with a focus on the petrochemical, transport, and education sectors. Danalis has also advised some of the region’s leading family groups and internationally recognised companies on their business operations and investments in the Middle East. 

“Edward and Guy’s arrivals are another important step in our ongoing efforts and focus on building out our Saudi practice and ensuring that we are able to offer our clients access to senior lawyers who have many years of experience of providing advice in Saudi Arabia”, said Paul Jarvis, Chief Executive Officer of the UK, Ireland and Middle East. “Their arrival further strengthens our ability to offer a full-service practice in Saudi Arabia and provides added bench strength in the Kingdom, which is a key jurisdiction for the Firm.” 

“Saudi’s national growth strategy envisages a number of high-profile projects that will require a broad range of legal support”, said Nick Simpson, Managing Partner, Saudi Arabia. “Edward and Guy’s experience of working on many of the most important transactions in the region, across a broad spectrum of mandates, will further enhance the support we are able to provide our clients as they continue to seize the opportunities in this dynamic and growing market.” 

Dentons has been expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia in recent years, having opened an office in Riyadh in 2016 and merging with local firm, Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in 2019.  Dentons recently joined the first wave of international law firms to be granted a foreign law firm licence by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice.