Meet the team - Marc Penman, Senior Associate

Marc Penman is a Senior Associate based in our Abu Dhabi office. Today, he shares his story.

“Hi, I’m Marc Penman, a Senior Associate within Clyde & Co’s energy, marine, and natural resources practice based in Abu Dhabi. My work focuses on providing non-contentious, transactional advice to upstream and service sector oil and gas clients operating across the MENA region and beyond.

While I concentrate primarily on EPC and “turnkey” contracting models for complex onshore and offshore construction projects, my role also spans a broad suite of corporate, commercial, contractual and strategic matters. No two days look the same, and that’s one of the most rewarding aspects of the work. It’s an incredibly exciting time for this practice area, especially here in the MENA region. As society navigates the balance between climate transition goals and the need for continued energy security, responsible and sustainable investment in oil and gas projects is becoming more critical than ever. Innovation across the industry is driving efforts to decarbonise infrastructure and progress toward net zero goals.

The UAE is leading the way, positioning itself at the forefront of transformation within the sector. Being able to advise clients in this space means contributing to a much bigger picture, something that motivates me daily.

I joined the Abu Dhabi office just over seven months ago, though it already feels much longer thanks to the vibrancy and collaboration that runs through the office and the firm as a whole. It’s energising to be part of a team that genuinely wants its people to become the best version of themselves and continually grow.

My career path wasn’t always linear. Aside from dreams of becoming a professional footballer (still holding onto that one…), I never had a single “preferred” choice. There truly is no one path into law. Some find their direction early on; others discover it after a more winding journey. For me, taking a two year break from university to chase the football dream in the US made both the journey and the destination meaningful.

Outside of work, my weekends are dictated by my daughter, and thankfully, Abu Dhabi offers no shortage of family friendly options. From museums and theme parks to days at the pool or the beach, it’s an incredible place to raise a young family.”