Ashurst Perkins Coie has appointed James Burdett as a partner in its Investment Funds practice in Abu Dhabi, expanding the law firm’s private capital capabilities across the Middle East.
Burdett will also serve as Head of Investment Funds for the Middle East and Africa.
He joins Ashurst Perkins Coie from Baker McKenzie, where he led the Middle East and Africa Funds Group.
Burdett advises both investment fund sponsors and investors and has experience working with clients across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S.
His clients include sovereign wealth funds, fund managers, general partners, pension funds, family offices and other institutional investors.
His practice spans the full investment fund lifecycle and covers multiple private capital asset classes, including private equity, debt and credit, real estate, energy and infrastructure.
The appointment strengthens Ashurst Perkins Coie’s investment funds capabilities at a time when private capital activity in the Middle East is expanding through both the growing presence of international asset managers and the deployment of capital by Gulf sovereign investors.
The firm views Abu Dhabi as a particularly important financial center within that trend as international managers establish a larger regional presence and institutional capital from the Gulf continues to invest globally.
Burdett’s experience includes fund structuring, fundraising and capital deployment, positioning him to work across the firm’s private capital, financial services and investment funds practices.
Ashurst Perkins Coie has more than 3,500 client-facing practitioners across 52 offices globally and advises businesses across technology, energy and infrastructure, financial services and other sectors.
KEY QUOTES:
“James is a highly regarded funds practitioner with a strong market presence and an outstanding reputation among fund sponsors and institutional investors across the region. His strategic insight, deep client relationships, cross-practice approach and strong sectoral expertise make him the perfect fit to further strengthen our Middle East funds practice and private capital offering.”
Nick Goddard, Global Head of Investment Funds at Ashurst Perkins Coie
“The private funds market in the Middle East represents a significant and growing opportunity, driven by the deepening presence of global institutions in the region and the outward deployment of sovereign capital, creating a dynamic, two-way flow of investment between the Gulf and international markets. Abu Dhabi sits at the heart of this as one of the world’s fastest-growing financial hubs, with increasing demand for deep legal expertise across fund structuring, fundraising and capital deployment. James brings deep expertise across each of these areas, and we are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”
David Charlier, Head of Region, Middle East & Africa at Ashurst Perkins Coie
“I’m thrilled to be joining Ashurst Perkins Coie at such an exciting time for the investment funds market in the Middle East. The firm’s global platform and collaborative culture offer the ideal opportunity to deliver even greater value to clients across the region, and I look forward to working with the team to build on the firm’s already impressive presence here.”
James Burdett, Incoming Head of Investment Funds, Middle East & Africa at Ashurst Perkins Coie
