Baker Botts, an international energy, technology and life sciences law firm, strengthened its global finance platform with the arrival of Zahra Knapper Al-Bahrani and her team, spanning the firm’s Dubai and London offices. She is joined by senior associate Rishi Raheja and associate Torridon Linskaill, both based in London. The team joins from White & Case.
Knapper joins as a partner in Dubai in the firm’s corporate practice. She brings nearly 15 years of experience advising airlines, lessors, banks, funds and export credit agencies on complex cross-border financings and structured transactions across the aviation sector.
Knapper’s arrival adds to a growing cohort of corporate and finance partner hires this year. The team brings deep sector expertise in aviation finance, adding strength to the firm’s global finance capabilities. They will support clients navigating complex international transactions, particularly those operating across Dubai and London.
“Zahra brings exactly the kind of expertise that defines the next chapter of global finance – cross-border, sector-deep, and strategically placed. With her team in Dubai and London, we’re not just expanding, we’re accelerating our position at the center of high-value international dealmaking,” Danny David, managing partner of Baker Botts, said. “Zahra’s team brings sharp execution capability in cross-border finance where demand is growing fast.”
Knapper has led transactions across the aviation sector, including ECA-backed aircraft financings, portfolio acquisitions, JOLCO structures, restructurings, leasing and aviation-related M&A. While aviation is the hallmark of her practice, Knapper advises on a broad range of asset and structured finance matters, working with clients across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the United States.
“Zahra and her team are known for the kind of cross-border expertise and market insight that align with our strategy in the Middle East and European markets,” Mark Rowley, partner-in-charge of the firm’s non-U.S. offices, said. “This is a targeted and strategic expansion that builds on our strengths in key growth sectors.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining Baker Botts at such a dynamic time for the firm and for the aviation industry,” Knapper said. “Our clients are navigating increasingly complex global transactions, and with Baker Botts’ international platform, deep sector knowledge and collaborative culture, we’re ideally positioned to help them succeed across markets.”
