“Joe Carroll is very helpful and available to help, even on short notice. His in-depth knowledge of real estate issues related to banking and finance is exceptional, particularly hotel management documents. “The HSF Dubai team thinks like an entrepreneur and gives us the solutions to a specific legal problem in contract negotiations, rather than just highlighting the problem.” “Very fast and responsive, even at the highest level. Excellent legal advice and support to the client with all the difficulties and challenges, especially when legal advice is questioned. Bracewell LLP specializes in energy and infrastructure and operates in the Middle East in the areas of renewable energy, conventional energy, water and infrastructure. Practice Manager Clint Steyn has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, project development and project finance. Andrej Kormuth is another important member of the team and is particularly interested in renewable energies. Tom Swarbrick is also well known and specializes in non-contentious construction work. “Mark Bisch is a very talented lawyer who has an eye for the bigger picture. He is a versatile lawyer with a strong commercial background and always advises us by providing a visual view of how legal risks or issues may be perceived by the company.
“The team members are pragmatic, problem-solving, with a business approach to complex legal issues.” “They are effectively able to coordinate with foreign legal advisors in transactions where cross-border advice is required. Reed Smith`s banking and finance practice in the UAE is led by Amir Ahmad, who joined the firm in 2019. Ahmad has expertise in advising lenders and borrowers on multi-source (Islamic) and ECA-supported finance, leveraged finance, real estate development, project finance and general corporate finance. He is supported by Senior Partner Umbreen Meenai, who also has an extensive conventional and Islamic finance practice. “Mazen Boustany – fantastic, knowledgeable, approachable and well connected. Accepts and simplifies complex requests. Helps solve business solutions from a legal context” “Excellent banking and financial practice and high value. Their advice is always clear and concise. HFW has a strong focus on infrastructure and project finance, ship and aviation finance, leasing and Islamic finance. Shyamal Jeewoolall, Practice Leader, has extensive experience advising airlines, aircraft leasing companies, banks and financiers. Tien Tai, an asset finance partner, focuses on ship and project finance issues.
Vince Gordon has an extensive financial practice that includes project finance, funds and financial regulation. Hadef & Partners has a “highly experienced” project and infrastructure practice and has particular experience in the fields of water and energy treatment. The team advises on acquisition financing, real estate development, asset financing and corporate restructuring. James Farn leads the banking and finance practice, representing both lenders and borrowers. Alan Rodgers is also well known and has a strong background in Islamic finance and project finance. Led by Nijoe Joseph, Stephenson Harwood`s “commercially savvy” team assists borrowers and lenders in all banking and financial matters in the Middle East and beyond. Aviation, shipping, energy, infrastructure and real estate are sectors with particular expertise. In February 2022, Rustum Shah joined Hogan Lovells (United Arab Emirates) LLP to lead the firm`s Islamic finance offering. “Rizwan Butt is tough and knowledgeable about all the legal documents, responsive and accurate.” Norton Rose Fulbright has an experienced transaction banking practice covering general banking, real estate finance, export credit finance, trade finance, acquisition finance and asset finance. Mohammed Paracha, Head of Banking Practice and Islamic Finance, has extensive expertise in real estate finance, project finance, sukuk, Sharia governance and regulatory affairs. Robin Balmer is a key point of contact in the region and leads the banking and finance practice in Saudi Arabia. Nicholas Robinson is another key person in the company`s offering in the UAE.
Al Tamimi & Company is a “one-stop shop for all legal services” and has “unmatched” knowledge of local banking and financial laws. The team`s areas of expertise are broad, from project finance and Islamic finance to asset finance and derivatives. Jody Waugh, Practice Manager, is “brilliant and business-oriented”. Mamoon Khan focuses on bilateral/syndicated loans, structured trade finance and aircraft finance. Mark Brown is also well known and advises on transactional lending, product development, insolvency and project finance. Clifford Chance`s equity capital markets practice has expertise in all forms of share offerings and listings. The equity team is led by Mike Taylor, who has extensive experience advising on high-level IPOs and takeovers, with particular expertise in the telecommunications sector. Stuart Ure leads the Debt Capital Markets practice, specializing in structured finance and conventional and Islamic debt capital markets in the GCC countries.
The practice advises on the full spectrum of DCM work, from treaty bonds and sukuks to structured bonds and securitizations. Cheuk-Yin Cheung leads the structured products practice. “The NRF team has many years of experience in FP projects, where legal advice involves dealing with both clients and lenders. In this regard, I am very satisfied with their performance. They always prepare in advance for what awaits buyers and lenders. DWF Middle East LLP serves a number of clients in the UAE, including lenders, financial institutions, funds, sponsors, borrowers and issuers. Umera Ali, Practice Leader, specializes in Islamic and structured finance and advises clients in the financial services, energy and transportation sectors. Ali is increasingly active in the field of renewable energy and sustainable finance. “Very responsive, good business sense, excellent legal writing skills.” “Jennifer Riddle`s role in the deal was crucial. Jenny had a great knowledge of project finance with the greatest design capabilities we have seen on the market.
Hadef & Partners has a wide range of regulatory expertise in financial services, including onshore corporate structures in the UAE, DIFC and ADGM, insolvency, security laws and compliance regulations. The team works closely with key financial authorities and market participants, including the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Financial Regulatory Services Authority. James Farn, Practice Director, has extensive knowledge of insolvency and restructuring law and Alan Rodgers has expertise in project finance and Islamic debt restructuring. Eversheds Sutherland LLP assists its public and private sector clients in a range of regulatory investigations, from employee misconduct to criminal investigations. Rebecca Copley leads the practice and has expertise in dealing with regulators in cases involving allegations of non-compliance. Clint Dempsey is another point of contact and leads the banking and finance practice. On the junior side, partner Gillian Flannighan is well known and praised for her “brilliant work ethic.” “I find the Ince team to be responsive, practical in its recommendations (and less legalistic), knowledgeable about the issues it helps with, and cost-effective.” Hadef & Partners has solid local expertise and frequently advises on acquisition financings, corporate restructurings and Islamic financing mandates. The firm has an experienced project financing offer and regularly advises sponsors on large-scale projects. Practice Leader James Farn has expertise in leveraged finance, real estate finance, development finance, trade finance and project finance.
Alan Rodgers focuses on Islamic finance and project finance. Andrew Baird: Many years of experience in the marine sector, both with banks and other financial partners and with industrial clients. In-depth knowledge of international maritime topics and transactions in corporate finance. In-depth knowledge of the shipping industry, its issues and practices. Problem solvers and bridge builders never lose sight of customer interest. Commercial and solution-oriented attitude, based on his experience and understanding of the industry. A hard worker who keeps his promises. DLA Piper is active throughout the GCC and has a strong focus on PPPs in the area of water storage and treatment.
Trevor Butcher leads the firm`s finance and projects practice in the Middle East and has extensive experience advising on privately funded projects in the utilities sector.