Dean Ryburn > Dentons > DUBAI, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Dentons
LEVEL 18, BOULEVARD PLAZA 2
BURJ KHALIFA DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 1756
United Arab Emirates

Work Department

Construction and Engineering, Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Position

Dean Ryburn is a Partner and co-head of the Middle East Construction and Dispute Resolution practice. He has more than 15 years’ experience advising clients on risk management and dispute avoidance and resolution. He regularly acts for clients in all common forms of dispute resolution (including litigation, arbitration and mediation) to protect and enforce their legal rights in relation to their most important projects and transactions. He has an in-depth understanding of local laws, practices and dispute resolution frameworks having been based in the region full-time for more than 12 years. Dean brings a commercial background and understanding to disputes from previous roles as senior inhouse counsel for a leading regional power developer and a secondment to a Government-owned company to advise on negotiating the close-out and resolution of disputes for a US$ 4 billion project.

Dean has been named as one of 10 consultants in the 2022 and 2023 Construction Week Power 100 ranking of the Middle East’s most influential construction leaders in recognition of his particular expertise in complex and high-value construction arbitrations. Dean is also ranked in Chambers and as a leading individual in Legal 500. He regularly acts for clients in resolving disputes relating to variations, delay and disruption, early termination, defective works and related issues. He is noted for his ability to quickly grasp and distil complex technical and legal issues and provide and deliver on a clear strategy to achieve clients’ commercial objectives in a cost-efficient manner. He acts for all project participants but has particular expertise advising Main Contractors on resolving complex interconnected disputes with Employers and Subcontractors.

Career

Barrister, High Court of New Zealand, 2006

Solicitor, High Court of New Zealand, 2006

Partner & co-head at Dentons, Dubai, Present

Languages

English

Memberships

Solicitor, High Court of New Zealand, 2006
Barrister, High Court of New Zealand, 2006

  • New Zealand Law Society
  • Society of Construction Law (Gulf)

Education

Victoria University of Wellington, 2005, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (Economics, Politics)

Lawyer Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Construction

With contentious and transactional power, waste, and water expertise, Dentons  is particularly well versed in disputes arising from the construction of airports. Practice head Dean Ryburn has a strong record in construction, engineering, and infrastructure project disputes. Jon Nash handles commercial documentation pertaining to construction projects, while Suzannah Fairbairn and Ahmed El-Bayouk count contractors and employers on their client roster.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation

(Leading partners)

Dean Ryburn – Dentons

Dentons has a diverse practice, with a group of dedicated specialists who handle commercial, banking, construction, regulatory and employment disputes. The team has a strong track record in front of courts in the DIFC, and have been active across a range of domestic and international arbitration centres. Dean Ryburn is a proficient dispute resolution expert, representing a wealth of clients in a range of cases and is regularly sought out by contractors, developers and investors for his construction acumen. Christopher Brennan is singled out for his skill in compliance and regulatory investigations, often handling highly sensitive financial crime, money laundering, fraud and corruption proceedings. Newly promoted partner Suzannah Fairbairn is principally noted for her large-scale arbitration work. Senior associates Faris Shehabi and Zahra Rose Khawaja provide additional support. Andrew Cheung left the firm and Alastair Young retired.