United Arab Emirates

Allen & Overy is an international law firm and a member of the “Magic Circle”. The firm has had a presence in the UAE since 1978 and currently operates offices in the country’s main business centres – Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The firm is one of the top players in every facet of financial and corporate work in the UAE.

Its banking team, for instance, often features in a lot of the high-profile financing and restructuring/ insolvency transactions.

In capital markets the firm is equally strong and supports swathes of debt and equity transactions each year.

Its market-leading M&A team has been involved in a high number of “market firsts” in the country. It covers the full spectrum of corporate work, including takeovers, private M&A, complex joint ventures, disposals and corporate restructurings, as well as general commercial, antitrust and corporate governance issues.

The firm’s project development and project finance teams are market leading, with demonstrated capabilities to support the largest infrastructure and energy projects in the UAE.

Key clients

Key clients include Credit Suisse, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Mubadala, Meraas, Emirates Global Aluminium, First Abu Dhabi Bank, GEMS Varkey, Standard Chartered Bank.

London-headquartered multinational “Magic Circle” law firm Clifford Chance opened its first office in the UAE in 1975 and now has office locations in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm is known for its stellar reputation as market leader across diverse practice areas. The team in Dubai is being led by managing partner Mohammed Al-Shukairy whilst partner Mohamed Hamra-Krouha leads the Abu Dhabi team. The firm has a tier one ranking across all practice areas in the UAE.

Highlights

The firm remarkably advised Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank as Lenders on the £2.2 billion public to private acquisition financing for Brookfield.

In Equity Capital Markets, the firm acted as counsel to ADES Holding Company on its US$1.2 billion IPO the largest IPO in MENA region in 2023.

The firm’s project team advised ENGIE, Orascom Construction, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Eurus, Energy Holdings Corporation (as Sponsors) on all aspects of the development of a 500MW BOO Wind Power Project in Egypt.

Key clients

ADNOC, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, HSBC Bank Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank.

Eptalex - MEG Legal Services is an international law firm with a presence in several Middle East countries. The firm has an office in Dubai. The firm has strong capabilities in corporate work. It advises on all aspects of domestic UAE law applicable in cross border M&A, joint ventures and takeover bids.

Key clients

Euro Mena Fund, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Morgan Stanley UK, Credit Libanais Bank, Credit Libanais Assurance, Africa International Group, US Agriseeds, Sakr Real Estate, SUEZ Consulting and Danone Insurance.

London-headquartered international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is among the largest law firms in the world and one of the world’s oldest. The firm has over 40 years’ experience in the Middle East with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Partner Pervez Akhtar leads the team in Dubai whilst Partner Michael Hilton is the team lead for Abu Dhabi office. The firm is generally well regarded in the market with exceptional recognition for its banking and M&A work.

Highlights 

The firm has an active presence in the UAE banking space. Recent examples of the firm’s work include advising Arcapita Group Holdings on a Sharia compliant acquisition financing in relation to the acquisition of DataFlow Verification Services.

M&A is a strength of the firm whilst advising on the most innovative deals in the Middle East and Africa. Recently the firm advised Luxinva on the £4.9 billion acquisition of Dechra Pharmaceuticals which is recognised as the third highest value take private in the UK for 2023.

Testimonials

“In addition to the legal expertise, we are impressed with the commercial awareness, the international aspects of their transactions as well as an informal approach to transactions with strong links in the market.” (Banking client)

“The team is known for cross service line, jurisdictional integration, client management demeanor and collaboration. Commercial considerations to legal issues.” (Insolvency client)

“The firm is very motivated to perform well and very good at finding solutions to problems.” (Projects client)

“Freshfields Middle East has been consistently impressive and has the capability to handle complex restructuring and special situation matters. I wouldn’t hesitate to put them in the top firms in the region on complex cross-border matters.” (Restructuring client)

Key clients

Alpha Dhabi Holding, Arcapita Group Holdings, Fidera, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Hayfin Capital and NBK Capital Partners

IN'P - Ibrahim & Partners is an independent law firm with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  Through its strategic partnerships with other firms in the region the firm has spread its tentacles across North Africa and GCC regions. The team is led by well-seasoned lawyers, most notably managing partner Ahmed Ibrahim, who is highly regarded in the market. The firm is best known for its banking, capital markets and M&A practice.

Highlights 

A stellar example of the Cross-border work of the firm is their involvement in the acquisition financing of Crystal Port Holding by JP Morgan and a syndicate of lenders.

The team is particularly active in Equity Capital Markets, leading the most innovative IPOs in the jurisdiction. Notably the firm advised ADNOC Logistics and Services on its $4.05 billion IPO and listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

Recently the firm advised Creek Capital/Positive Zero (the target company) regarding Blackrock’s investment into the target company.

Testimonials

“The firm is well versed of UAE regulations which allowed them to recommend transaction structure and terms that will be accepted by the local regulator.” (Equity Capital Markets Client)

“Their responsiveness, documentation and strategy are unparalleled.” (Equity Capital Markets Client)

Key clients 

Al Ansari Financial Services, Creek Capital / Positive Zero, Dubai Taxi Company, Investcorp Capital, Pheonix Group and PureHealth Holding.

Matouk Bassiouny is a full-service law firm headquartered in Cairo founded by highly regarded lawyers, Omar S Bassiouny who is also the Group Head of Corporate and M&A, and F John Matouk who is the Group Head of Dispute Resolution. The firm established its branch offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2018.  The UAE offices are being managed by Partner Jirayr Habibian. The firm is an expert in advising on corporate and commercial matters including mergers and acquisitions.

Highlights 

The firm is visible in the financial and corporate practice area where it advises corporate clients on corporate and regulatory matters including incorporation of their businesses in the UAE, setting up Private Equity Funds and advising on financial regulations.

A deal example of the firm’s M&A practice is advising Elie Jean Harb in the negotiations for the sale of 80% of his shares in Phoenician Technical Services to White Spot Cleaning Services.

Notably the firm advised Dentsu UK in respect of its acquisition of the shares of John Brown Magazines.

Key clients

Dentsu UK, Saudi Professional League, Phinia Delphi, Rimco Investment and Société Arabe Internationale de Banque.

Tribonian Law Advisors was founded in 2011 with offices in Beirut, Riyadh and operates in the United Arab Emirates out of its office in Dubai. The deal team is led by the managing and founding partner Rindala Beydoun and supported by well-seasoned practitioners such as partner Carlo Pianese and partner Emile Boulos. The firm is regarded as a high-quality boutique law firm specialising in mergers and acquisitions and corporate work.

Highlights  

Notably the firm advised e& (Etisalat) on the 100% acquisition of Green Peregrine Holdings, a subsidiary of the e& Group. The firm is also advising the same client on its acquisition of a high-value data centre.

Another notable example of the firm’s M&A practice is advising Al Yasra Group in the acquisition of a stake in Eighty6 Holding.

Testimonials 

“TLA has a great well-rounded, highly qualified and experienced team that is very responsive and commercial.” (Private equity client)

“Responsiveness, structure and ability to work with counsel across jurisdictions.” (Restructuring client)

Key clients

Al Yasra, Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center, e& (Etisalat), Global Ventures and Uber.

White & Case is a global law firm established in 1901. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in the America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa. The firm boasts of having a cross-border integrated law practice with local, US and English-qualified lawyers across its offices. The firm’s presence in the UAE could be traced to 2007 when it opened its office in Abu Dhabi and further expanded into Dubai in 2013. The UAE team is led by partner Abdulwahid Alulama.

Highlights

In the Middle East the firm is renowned for projects work and its Dubai based capital markets team is one of the region’s strongest on the debt side.

In the banking and finance area the firm advises on large financing transactions and is particularly active in project finance in the energy sector.  

In the project area the firm is experienced and active for sponsors on transport and pet-chem developments locally and regionally.

A&O Shearman was formed in May 2024 as the resulting entity of the merger between two historic international law firms, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling. The firm boasts of being the only global law firm with expertise in the US law, English law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets. The A&O Shearman team in UAE is being led by David Foster who is a reputable leader of the market. The firm has a well-rounded practice attaining Tier one ranking across all practice areas in UAE.

Highlights

A notable example of the firm’s work in banking is the advice to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank as lenders on a multibillion dual tranche financing to M42 for the acquisition of Diaverum, a leading global renal care service provider.

In debt capital markets, the firm advised Kuwait Projects Company on the first public sukuk issuance with tangible assets solely comprised of listed shares.

The firm’s market leading capabilities in projects is evidenced by the legal advice to Export Credit Agencies on the US$6 billion financing of the largest petrochemical project in Qatar and one of the largest in the world.

Testimonials

“Depth of knowledge and experience and practical approach.” (Financial services regulatory client)

Key clients

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation (ARB), Air Lease Corporation, Fajr Capital, HSBC Bank Middle East.

Afridi & Angell is a UAE full-service law firm founded in 1975. The firm boasts of being one of the first in the UAE market and prides itself on being a multi-specialist. The firm can advise local, regional and international clients on transactions particularly known for its banking and M&A practice. Afridi & Angell has the capacity to handle the most high-profile and complex deals in the UAE.   

Founded in 1989 Al Tamimi & Company is a leading corporate law firm in the UAE.  The firm boasts of over 450 legal practitioners across 17 offices in the Middle East and North Africa, with four offices in the UAE. The deal team is led by UAE lawyers, most notable are managing partner Jody Waugh and senior partner Husam Hourani among others. The firm is mostly recognised for its banking practice with a well-established history in the financial services sector. 

Alem & Associates is a fast-paced Lebanese law firm founded in 1953 by senior partner Mohamed Y Alem. The firm has spread its tentacles to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh. Alem & Associates has extensive experience in advising clients within the Middle East. The team is known for its M&A practice where it advises on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions. The firm prides itself on having a deep understanding of UAE regulations and market dynamics. 

Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota traces its presence in the UAE back to 2010. The firm is in Dubai and acts as the regional office of ALN. The firm has a talented team of international lawyers with significant experience in handling cross-border transactions, led by country partner Adil Shafi and senior partner Atiq Anjarwalla. The firm has a robust banking and M&A practice handling sophisticated corporate and financial transactions including mergers and acquisitions, syndicated financing and bilateral loan transactions. 

Amereller is an international law firm offering expertise to clients around the world. With 10 offices across the Mena region, the firm offers cross-border expertise from its Dubai office.The firm excels in advising multinational a clints on their M&A activity with a focus on inbound investments in the MENA region.

AX Law is a new generation law firm dedicated to delivering first-class legal services. The firm has a team of lawyers with great wealth of experience and licensed to practise law in various jurisdictions. The deal team is being led by partners Karim Fawaz and Ashleigh Bruce. The firm deals with the most complex projects in the region and regularly advises clients from public and private sectors on transformative projects with a specificic focus on technology projects including data centres. 

Chicago-headquartered Baker McKenzie is well recognised around the world, including the Middle Eastern region. In Qatar they opened their office in 2011 and the firm operates out of Doha and is led by Ian Siddell, co-managing Partner of the Bahrain and Doha offices.

The firm’s work focuses on projects, particularly infrastructure projects, and the firm are strong in banking and corporate work and boasts sectoral strength in defense and infrastructure.

Key clients

The firm’s key clients list features the likes of Saudi Binladin Group, The Commercial Bank, Qatar National Bank and DBS Bank.

Bonelli Erede Lombardi Pappalardo is an Italian, multinational law firm with offices in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The firm launched its Dubai office in 2017.   The firm has a dynamic and experienced transactional team headed by managing partner Marco De Leo. The firm is active in corporate and M&A practice where it advises both local and international clients on transactional issues and general corporate matters. 

Bracewell is an international law firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. The firm was founded in 1945 in the US and has presence in London and Dubai. The UAE team is led by managing partner Christopher Williams. With operations in the UAE since 2007, it has maintained solid projects practice in the region specifically in energy and infrastructure developments. Bracewell’s energy and projects practice in the UAE is led by partner Andrej Kormuth. 

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates was established in 2005. The firm has significantly expanded over the years and has about nine offices in the Middle East. The team is led by managing partner Jimmy Haoula and senior partner Ahmad Bin Hezeem. The firm prides itself on being pioneers in banking and finance. The firm is also actively involved in corporate and M&A practice where it advises clients on a wide range of corporate matters including acquisitions and spin-offs. 

CMS is an international law firm established in 1999 with more than 70 offices in over 40 countries worldwide. The firm operates in the UAE through its offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAE team was launched in 2012 by partner John O’Connor who has led the team ever since. CMS UAE is well known for its complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions with expertise and specialism in particular industry sectors such as Energy, Media and telecommunications, Technology, and Real estate. 

Dentons is a full-service global law firm with two offices in the UAE located in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The firm has a global presence with over 200 offices in over 80 countries. Dentons’ presence in the UAE can be traced back to 1969. Led by managing partner Paul Jarvis and supported by well-seasoned practitioners such as Stephen Knight, Qasim Aslam and Alex Roussos, the firm has a stellar reputation in the market. The firm is active in banking, debt capital markets, M&A and project development. 

Formed in 1890, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher is an international law firm with operations in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Its Dubai office services clients in the Middle East, Africa and other locations.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm’s MENA business often serves as international counsel and advises clients on restructuring, leveraged finance transactions, Islamic finance, bank lending, term loan financings, leveraged loans and asset-backed credits.

In M&A, the firm’s Middle East team has expertise in cross-border work, advising both its buy-side and sell-side clients, as well as businesses in the restructuring space.

Key clients

Key clients include FTI Consulting, Gulf Capital, Arcapita Investment Partners, KBBO Group, Gulf Energy Maritime, Investbridge Capital, TPG, Silverpoint and Everest Capital.

Gowling WLG is an international law firm with history tracing back to 1887. The firm has about 20 offices across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Gowling has its UAE offices established in Dubai headed by partner Tim Casben. The firm is particularly active in the corporate and M&A practice where it regularly advises on financial investments and joint ventures amongst others.  

Greenberg Traurig has its history traced back to 1967 when it was established in South Florida. Greenberg Traurig opened its UAE offices in 2023 when it received a license to practice in the UAE. The UAE team handles complex domestic and cross-border transactional work spanning from mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures to corporate structuring among others. 

Hadef & Partners is a leading independent UAE law firm established in 1980 by Hadef Al Dhaheri. The firm has over 100 lawyers in its offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The firm boasts of advising on complex and strategic projects and transactions in the UAE. The deal team is led by managing partner Sadiq Jafar. The team advises on domestic and cross-border transactions, mostly in the banking and M&A practice areas. 

London-headquartered multinational law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Focusses / specialisms

In projects, the firm advises on the full spectrum of clients in the sector on energy and infrastructure projects. The firm is also visible in the M&A practice, where it advises on several mandates across various sectors including energy and infrastructure.

Key clients

Key recent clients include Uber, Aramex, Marubeni, Provis Real Estate, LTR, Gras Savoye, Engie, Nesma and Mowah.

Client feedback: 32^nd edition (2022/2023)

M&A

“Great legal knowledge and advisory, strong ability to adapt to the evolution of the project and provide solutions/options, always defending the client's interests.”

“Immediate responses to our emails/queries, explaining their rationale behind proposed suggestions, understanding our position and working with us to get our desired outcome. Approachability, as the entire team was easy to work with and friendly.”

The international law firm King & Spalding was founded on 1 January 1885 in Atlanta. The firm has been present in the UAE for over a decade, advising on transactions involving local and international laws. The firm boasts of having closed the most high-profile deals in the UAE for both local and foreign clients. The deal team in the UAE is led by managing partner Nabil Issa. The firm is known for its banking, M&A and projects practice. 

Cayman Islands-headquartered Maples Group is a multi-jurisdictional offshore law firm. The firm’s operations in the Middle East include offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The deal team is led by managing partners Manuela Belmontes and Philip Ireland. Maples Group advises clients on the laws of British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands from its UAE offices. It is highly regarded for its experience in cross-border transactional work in banking, investment funds M&A and debt capital markets. 

Morgan Lewis & Bockius is an international law firm with offices in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. The firm serves clients in the UAE out of its Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices managed by partners William Nash III and Alishia Sullivan respectively. The firm supports transactions in the Middle East, North Africa and more widely, both conventional and Islamic finance deals. The firm is also known for its real estate practice. 

London-headquartered multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised clients for more than 15 years from its office in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The deal team in the UAE is being managed by Catherine Workman, who is highly regarded in the market. The firm has built a strong M&A practice in the UAE over the past years while its finance and restructuring team has developed a reputation for providing big clients with commercially oriented solutions across conventional and Islamic banking, and restructuring. 

PwC Legal has a global presence in more than 160 countries. The firm’s team in the UAE belongs to a global M&A and restructuring network. The firm specialises in M&A transactions and corporate restructuring, with specified focus on carve-outs, group simplifications and reorganisations. The firm operates across a range of sectors with particular expertise in retail, industrials, financial services and energy sectors.

Rasma Legal is a UAE-headquartered multi-service law firm founded in 2007 by Mazen Rasamny. The firm offers clients exceptional regulatory experience in the UAE, KSA and across the GCC region, specifically in the financial services and financial technology sectors. Rasma Legal has a strong focus on corporate advisory work with a good record of steering companies through complex mergers and acquisitions, private equity and other significant corporate transactions in the Middle East. 

Simmons & Simmons is an international law firm headquartered in London. The firm was founded in 1896 and has been working in the UAE for more than 25 years. The deal team includes a lot of highly regarded practitioners such as partner James Coleman. It is mostly known for its award-winning banking practice specifically Islamic finance led by partner Aditi Sanyal. The team regularly advises on complex and high-value transactional matters across technology, media and telecommunications sectors. 

Squire Patton Boggs was established in 1886. It is a global law firm headquartered in Washington DC with over 40 offices across the globe. In the UAE, the firm has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The UAE team consists of prominent lawyers, worthy of mention is partner Matthew Powell who is highly regarded in the market. The team offers a full spectrum of M&A and corporate/commercial services in the UAE and broader MENA region.  

Trowers & Hamlins is an international law firm with broad practice. The firm’s presence in the UAE could be traced back to 1991. Trowers & Hamlins boasts of being a pioneer in Dubai legal market with expertise and commercial connections across the region. The team consists of notable UAE lawyers such as Martin Amison. The firm has an active M&A practice where it mostly advises on divestitures and acquisitions. 

Walkers is an international offshore law firm headquartered in the Cayman Islands. The firm was formed in 1964 with its Dubai office opening in 2005. Led by managing partner Daniel Wood and supported by well-seasoned practitioners such as partner Ciaran Bohnacker, the firm has a top notch financial and corporate practice. The firm is well known for its cross-border legal advice in banking, investment funds and restructuring/insolvency. 

Meysan traces its presence in the Middle East back to 2015. The firm was awarded the Rising Star Law firm of the Middle East the same year it was established. Recently the firm launched its London offices in 2023 with the intention of bringing together leading legal talent in the Middle East and the United Kingdom. Meysan prides itself on having extensive expertise in UAE laws and advising on complex transactional matters, led by Managing Partner Bader El-Jeaan.

Highlights

A major highlight of the firm’s M&A practice is the legal advice provided to Securities House and Al Dhow Capital on the acquisition of a 65% stake in Aster DM Healthcare.

The team also advised Agility Public Warehousing Company and Horizon Participation Holding on the first ever re-domiciliation of a public company in the GCC region from one country into another and from one stock exchange to another.

Key clients

Agility Logistics, Al Farwaniya Real Estate Co, Al Muzaini Exchange, Google and Securities House.

Established in 2012, Levari is a full-service international law firm with offices in London, Cairo, Washington, Amman and Dubai.

The firm has particular experience in both fund registration and formation as well as venture capital transactions. The firm’s practice specialises in representing oil and gas, retail, banking, technology, venture capital and private equity clients including SMEs.

Key clients

Some of the firm’s key clients include Dana Global, GFI informatique, Okadoc Technologies Dubai, Yela, Jonomi Ventures, Brink’s Global Services, Colgate Palmolive and Dinar.