McKinley, Derek

Derek McKinley

Partner

derek.mckinley@lw.com
derek.mckinley@lw.com
    McKinley, Derek

    Derek McKinley

    Partner

    derek.mckinley@lw.com
    Projects and Infrastructure Next Generation Partner of the Year

    Legal 500 MENA Awards 2026

    Rising Star Partner – Energy & Infrastructure and Project Finance

    IFLR1000 2025

    Next Generation Partner – Projects and Energy (Saudi Arabia)

    Legal 500 EMEA 2025

    Profile

    Derek McKinley advises developers, institutional investors, lenders, and sovereign wealth funds on energy, infrastructure, and real estate projects. 

    Derek has been in the Middle East since 2008 and leverages a wealth of experience to efficiently and pragmatically close transactions in:

    • Oil and gas (and petrochemicals)
    • Real estate (hospitality, industrial, residential, and warehousing) 
    • Utilities (power, desalination, and wastewater treatment)
    • Transport (aviation, ports, rail, and road)
    • Social infrastructure (education, healthcare, and student accommodation)

    Qualifications

    Bar Qualification

    • England and Wales (Solicitor)
    • Saudi Arabia (Foreign Consultant)

    Education

    • LPC, BPP Law School, 2006
    • LL.M., University of Cape Town, 2005
      JW Jagger Scholar, Engen Petroleum Prize
    • LL.B., Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 2003
      With Honors
    • LL.B., Queen Mary College, University of London, 2003
      With Honors

    Languages Spoken

    • English

    Practices

    Industries

    News & Insights

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