Specialising in airport construction disputes, Dentons is well-versed in both contentious and non-contentious power, waste, and water matters. The team is led by Dean Ryburn, who is vastly experienced in engineering and infrastructure matters, while Suzannah Fairbairn is a key contact for contractors. Kanishka Singh is knowledgeable of EPC arrangements and Meghan Devine is informed in infrastructure matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Suzannah Fairbairn is a highly impressive, formidable, and determined litigator. She provides an extremely professional, commercial, and high-quality service to her clients.’
- ‘Meghan Devine is always completely on top of the factual and technical detail. She is a very impressive lawyer with a bright future ahead of her.’
- ‘Dean Ryburn and Suzannah Fairbairn are excellent lawyers with great work ethics. Clients value their availability and responsiveness, and the fact that they remain involved at every stage of a matter.’
- ‘Suzannah Fairbairn and Dean Ryburn stand out as partners who are fully engaged in every aspect of a case.’
- ‘Dean Ryburn is an exceptional partner with great instincts and a calm, level-headed approach. He is consistently cool under pressure, exercises sound judgment, and steers his cases towards practical solutions for clients.’
- ‘They continue to consolidate and build on their excellent reputation in construction and arbitration across the EMEA region. They are an extremely well-run outfit with exceptional strength in depth across the department and an impressive array of talented lawyers.’
- ‘They have a strong and experienced team with considerable knowledge of disputes across the region.’
- ‘They have rightfully earned a market-leading reputation in the construction disputes sector, with an outstanding team of lawyers who deliver excellent results for their clients. Their industry and sector knowledge, combined with a clear and business-like focus, make them the team you want on your side in any dispute.’
Key clients
- Veolia Middle East
- Masdar
- Abu Dhabi Ports
- EDF Renewables Middle East DMCC and Korea Western Power
- Abu Dhabi Centre for Projects and Infrastructure
Work highlights
Represented a leading international company in an ongoing arbitration with a GCC Government in a dispute exceeding USD5 billion in relation to the design, procurement, and construction of an infrastructure project of national significance.
Successfully representing a main contractor JV in a DIAC arbitration defending claims in excess of USD800million arising from the construction of a landmark construction infrastructure project.
Reviewing and comprehensively updating standard form contracts (both construction and design and build) that are intended to be used for all capital project works in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Suzannah Fairbairn
Kanishka Singh
Practice head
Dean Ryburn
Other key lawyers
Suzannah Fairbairn; Kanishka Singh: Meghan Devine