SNR Denton nurtures Mid East-Africa focus
SNR Denton has transferred London-based Africa specialist Paul Bugingo to Dubai as it aims to give its Africa practice a Middle East-Africa rather than London-Africa focus.
Paul Bugingo
The move comes as the firm seeks regulatory approval to launch offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
Partner Bugingo, who co-chairs the Africa committee along with partners Geoffrey Wynne and Jeffrey Krilla, moved to Dubai this month.
According to Matthew Jones, CEO of the firm’s UK LLP, the move was designed to widen the focus of SNR Denton’s Africa practice.
“To date, much of our Africa practice has been led out of London, so this was a chance to add a new dimension,” he said. “In doing so we’ve broadened our practice in the Gulf too.”
SNR Denton operates in Africa through a network of tie-ups that spans 21 countries. The firm recently added five new offices to the network through an alliance with Portugal’s Castelo Branco & Associados (The Lawyer, 28 February).
“We’ve just had a regular meeting of the members of our African associate firm network in Dar es Salaam, where we held discussions about the next stage of development for our Africa practice,” said Jones. “Among the many opportunities, it’s exciting to see the considerable interest in the region shown by significant US clients.”
SNR Denton is also seeking regulatory approval for practices in Beijing and Shanghai. The move follows a Hong Kong launch in January, when it assimilated Brandt Chan & Partners.
