A&O banking partner moves in house at TAQA

Allen & Overy (A&O) banking partner and former New York chief Carl Sheldon has joined the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) as its first ever general counsel.

Sheldon was lured away from the magic circle firm after being introduced to TAQA through A&O’s banking practice. TAQA has had close links with the firm since it was founded in 2005.

Sheldon leaves A&O’s New York office on 1 April after 17 years at the firm. He will spend the bulk of his time in Abu Dhabi in his new role.

As general counsel for TAQA, Sheldon has been tasked with setting up a global legal group as the energy investment company expands its operations around the world.

The project finance expert was managing partner at A&O’s New York office from 1997 to 2003 and head of the Frankfurt office from 1994 to 1997. In 2006 he stood unsuccessfully for election to the global management board.

TAQA is majority owned by the Abu Dhabi government and has an asset base of more than $18bn (£8.93bn).

It owns a majority stake in six of the nine independent water and power producers in the United Arab Emirates.