The Legal 500

Allen & Overy LLP has ‘extensive experience in the UAE, and is capable of undertaking the most sophisticated commercial and finance transactions’. The team has been involved in some of the market’s largest restructurings – including Dubai World and TID – and continued to act for Mubadala, HSBC and Emirates. Andrew Schoorlemmer and Nicholas Stuart advised News Corporation on its acquisition of a 9.09% stake in Rotana Group, one of the region’s strongest media groups. Meanwhile, Pervez Akhtar acted for the Libyan Investment Authority on its $260m acquisition of Verenex Energy, and Francois Duquette advised Abu Dhabi National Energy on its acquisition of a 54% stake in the Fujairah 2 and Shuweihat power projects. The team is ‘reliable and accurate in its advice’, with Simon Roderick identified as an ‘outstanding lawyer’.

Despite a difficult market, Clifford Chance is ‘very well respected’ and was ‘one of the few firms to have a busy year in Dubai’. It represented Dubai World on its $26bn restructuring and acted for Invest AD on disposing of all shares in National Financial Brokerage Company, by way of its merger with Al Ramz Securities. The team also advised Almarai Company, the world’s largest integrated dairy company, on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Hail Agricultural Development Company. Although Simon Clinton will be missed following his move to the Singapore office, Mike Taylor is ‘very capable’ and ‘really delivers’, and Peter Avery is ‘outstanding’. The team provides ‘good support that’s not cheap, but offers value for money’.

Clyde & Co LLP’s clients ‘have no hesitation in recommending the team’, which is ‘particularly impressive in the field of takaful/Islamic insurance’. The ten-partner team recently advised Royal SunAlliance on its acquisition of the third-largest insurer in Oman, and also represents British American Tobacco and Marriott Hotels. Other highlights included advising Zulekha Hospital on restructuring its business in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, and acting for Minnow Marine Projects on its sale to GMMOS Group. Niall O’Toole is ‘efficient, professional, focused on problem-solving, and provides a high level of advice and assistance’, while Ben Gillespie is a ‘calm, patient negotiator who is knowledgeable about customs and practices in the region’. Peter Hodgins is recommended for his ‘in-depth knowledge of the insurance laws, and strong devotion to his duties’.

Linklaters acted on deals totalling billions of dollars in 2010, including advising Barwa Real Estate Company on the first public takeover in Qatar and Mawarid Group on a $2bn merger with Showtime Arabia. It also represented Zain on the reverse takeover of Palestine Telecommunications Company, and RBS on the acquisition, restructuring, and sale of ABN Amro’s businesses. Scott Campbell and Nick Garland share more than a decade’s experience in the region and are consistently singled out as ‘leading individuals’ in a team that ‘is traditionally a strong competitor and doing well’. Gulf region senior partner Ewan Cameron is another ‘strong name in the market’. The practice’s clients include Borse Dubai, Oman Oil Company, and the UAE Ministry of Finance.

SNR Denton is ‘more robust and commercial in its advice, and capable of driving matters to completion more efficiently’ than some of its competitors. Clients cite as key strengths ‘the team’s warm and professional personalities, vast experience, knowledge of law, and practice in the region and the UK’. The firm has one of the widest networks in the Middle East, with offices covering the entirety of the GCC, and it represents clients such as BP, Emirates National Oil Company and Etisalat. Neil Nicholson – a ‘clear favourite thanks to his creativity in structuring, knowledge in relation to legal and commercial issues, and client and negotiating skills’ – recently acted alongside the Cairo office to advise Symrise on its acquisition of Futura Group. Clients are ‘extremely pleased in terms of the quality of advice and strength of the team’.

Considered by some to be ‘on par with the best international law firms’, Al Tamimi & Company provides an ‘excellent service from very knowledgeable, very responsive and creative’ lawyers. The team advised Dubai Financial Market on its acquisition of a controlling interest in NASDAQ, and acted for Aabar Investments and Tasameem Real Estate on their joint venture to establish a business operating a fleet of executive jets from Al Bateen Airport. The team is ‘good value for the quality of advice’, and ‘always has back-up staff available if the key partner is called away’. Gary Watts, head of the corporate and commercial practice, is recommended for his ‘business acumen and strong legal analytical skills’, and is backed up by seven partners in the UAE. Senior associate Steven Bainbridge has a ‘very good working knowledge of unique factors in the Middle East, and also understands the factors important to Western buyers’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is ‘very good, technically and commercially’, and is noted for its ‘intelligent, responsive and efficient solution-seekers’. The Dubai office underwent change following Bertrand Pellet’s arrival from the Paris office, and David Higgins’s return to London. Pellet will head the corporate team for Middle East and North Africa, and work alongside Patrick Ko. Ko advised ABN Amro Bank on transferring RBS NV’s UAE private banking business to ABN AMRO Bank NV’s DIFC branch, and acted on ABN AMRO Bank’s merger with Fortis Bank. Other highlights included advising Dubai International Capital on the sell down of shares in Merlin Entertainments, and acting for Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on its joint offer for EDF’s electricity distribution network.

Herbert Smith LLP is a regular feature on M&A deals, with a number of instructions stemming from the team’s strong investments funds client base. The team advised Gulf Opportunity Fund I on its $210m buyout of Saudi jewellery manufacturer and retailer, L’Azurde, and acted for Dubai Islamic Bank on taking a 52% stake in the Industrial Development Bank of Jordan. Dubai-based Zubair Mir is an outstanding lawyer.

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP acted for Marubeni on its purchase of a 20% stake in Ruwais Power, the project company raising finance for the proposed $2.4bn Shuweihat S2 IWPP. It also represented Qatar Shipping on its $110m disposal of Qatar Engineering & Construction, and Mubadala Development Company on corporate aspects of the Sowwah Island development. Campbell Steedman’s team is ‘very professional and offers excellent service’, and includes Alan Bainbridge, whose ‘strong business acumen, cultural sensitivity, and excellent legal analytical skills’ make him a favourite with clients. The firm is well respected for its work in the Middle East and North Africa, and for investment funds.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is one of the leading firms in Abu Dhabi, and in 2010 doubled the number of staff in the office to six partners and 20 lawyers. The team continues to be very active in the energy sector, and advised Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on its joint venture with ConocoPhillips to develop the Shah gas field. Other highlights included advising Aabar Investments on Aabar and Daimler’s joint acquisition of a majority stake in Brawn GP Formula One team, and acting for Al Ghaith on the sale of Shadeed Iron & Steel to Jindal Steel & Power. Managing partner Philip Dundas is highly recommended.

Ashurst LLP strengthened its Abu Dhabi office by bringing in from London Nick Williamson, who heads the Middle East practice and specialises in oil and gas. The group gained greater exposure in the telecoms sector when it won Etisalat as a new client, for which work to date includes advising on its $207m acquisition of Tigo Sri Lanka. The team also advised Mitsui E&P Middle East on its acquisition of oil and gas interests in Egypt, and acted for Emirates Conversion Industries on a joint venture with Radius.

Although DLA Piper Middle East LLP witnessed a number of departures following the credit crunch, the firm still has a ten-lawyer team in the UAE, and continues to act for clients such as Emap, Emirates NBD and Delta Partners. The team advised Toll on its acquisition of Logistics Distribution Systems, and Wataniya Co-Op Insurance Company on its formation and IPO in Saudi Arabia. Dubai-based Simon Davidson is recommended for equity capital markets, mergers, and private equity work. Karl Tabbakh is the key partner on the ground in Abu Dhabi.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP is rapidly pushing into the UAE, having been in the Middle East for over 30 years. It opened an office in Dubai in 2008 and in Abu Dhabi in 2010, and now has a five-partner team based in the UAE. Corporate finance partner Stephen Jurgenson heads the new Abu Dhabi office. Clients highly recommend the team, which is noted for its transactional work in the oil and gas sector. Gavin Watson is the key contact in Dubai.

Paul Harter and Peter Baumbusch’s four-partner team at Gibson Dunn represents clients such as Waha Capital, Mumtalakat, and The Carlyle Group – the latter was advised on the acquisition and financing of a 30% stake in General Lighting Company by its Middle East fund. Other highlights included advising Kuwait Investment Authority regarding the acquisition and $4.1bn sale of an equity interest in Citigroup. The team has strong links with the region’s top investment houses.

Habib Al Mulla & Company’s clients are ‘very satisfied with the service provided’, and rate the team’s industry knowledge as ‘excellent; the firm has great lawyers specialising in a number of different industries’. The group continues to act for clients such as Petronas and ANC Holdings, and ‘offers a full-service solution for foreign entities’. Hussain Shabana is recommended for his ‘creativity in thinking of reasonable solutions when problems and unique situations arise’, while senior associate Patrick Khoury is ‘very business-oriented, proactive and has a clear understanding of the need to proceed quickly with customised solutions’.

Local law firm Hadef & Partners recently advised Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society on its AED3bn restructuring, which was one of the first restructurings in the UAE in which a co-operative society privatised the majority of its assets. The group also acted for Aditya Birla on its $380m acquisition of 80% of the issued share capital of ETA Star Cement. The firm is highly rated for its exceptional local law expertise, and is often a first-choice partner of international law firms needing such advice. Clients are ‘highly satisfied with the team’s services, and, in particular, their responsiveness and solution-oriented approach’. Managing partner Faraj Ahnish is recommended.

The merger of Hogan & Hartson and Lovells is already paying off for Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP in the UAE, helping the team to win instructions on Rotana Group’s restructuring. The group acts for clients such as GEMS (the Gulf’s largest private education provider), Qinvest (Qatar’s largest investment bank) and Honeywell, and has seen an increase in instructions through its joint venture in Saudi Arabia. Imtiaz Shah and Mark Mazo lead the team.

King & Spalding’s investor-led practice counts Arcapita Bank, Jadwa Investment and First Energy Bank as clients, and was recently appointed to the legal panel of Emirates Investment Authority, the first federal sovereign wealth fund in the UAE. The team acted for Mubadala on Mubadala Infrastructure Partners Fund’s acquisition of an interest in Abu Dhabi Ports Operating Company, and advised First Energy Bank on its acquisition of a controlling interest in Cosmos Industrial Investment, the co-developer of a $1bn polysilicon project. Benjamin Newland leads the three-partner team.

Latham & Watkins LLP may only have been on the ground since 2008, but it is already emerging as a prominent player after achieving significant growth across its four offices in the Middle East; it now has the largest presence in the region among US-based law firms. The team represented the government of Dubai on the restructurings of Dubai World and Nakheel, as well as advising on the formation of a $20bn financial support fund. The group also advised HSBC as financial adviser to the steering committee appointed to oversee the $3bn merger of Qatar Shipping and Qatar Navigation. Charlie Fuller and his team are ‘very responsive, and provide solid legal advice while still being pragmatic’. Villiers Terblanche joined the Abu Dhabi office from White & Case LLP.

Highlights for Reed Smith included advising BVT Surface Fleet on its joint venture with Abu Dhabi Ship Building, and acting for Gentor Resources regarding two copper-mining blocks in Oman. It also advised In Touch Group on establishing a closed-ended real estate investment fund aiming to attract AED125m. The firm has a long history in the UAE and has built up an impressive track record acting for clients such as Bechtel and Dyncorp. Peter Michelmore, senior partner in the Middle East and chairman of the British Business Group, is highly recommended.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP remained busy acting for clients such as UAE Exchange and telecoms company, Du. The team picked up its first instructions from Tiger Global Management, advising on the company’s disposal of Maktoob, the Gulf’s largest Arabic internet portal. Other highlights included acting for Independent Risk Solutions on its merger with Dubai-based Insure Direct Brokers. Tim Field and Isabella Roberts’ arrival from London has given the firm capacity to provide corporate advice from Abu Dhabi. George Booth moved to Clyde & Co LLP.

Trowers & Hamlins provides clear and targeted advice that is ‘far superior in terms of practicality and usefulness’, and the ‘overall level of service is excellent’. Jennifer Bibbings, who is very responsive and ‘ensures staff with the correct area of expertise are on top of queries’, led advice to Ciments Francais regarding its proposed acquisition of a UAE-headquartered cement group. The team also assisted Aljomaih Group with the structuring and incorporation of its new Capital Stone group of companies.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.’s ‘UAE-based team has the resources and reputation of a premiere international law firm, so it is able to get answers to various questions on tax, environment, trade sanctions, etc, from many of the leading experts’. The team is ‘extremely competent and very responsive’, and offers ‘tremendous value for money’. Rindala Beydoun led the team advising The Investment Dar on its $3bn restructuring of Sharia-compliant debt. Other highlights included advising on the formation of TVM Capital’s Sharia-complaint venture capital fund, as well as its first two portfolio investments in the region. James Knight’s ‘abundance of corporate experience’ and ability to ‘answer issues with business practicality’ make him a top choice. The team added depth by recruiting Sami Al-Louzi from White & Case LLP.

Afridi & Angell’s ‘advice is always pragmatic, useful and practical; some other firms may know the theory, but do not understand how local practice may affect legal matters’. The group, which is a member of Lex Mundi, recently won instructions to handle all of DIFC Investments’ legal work and acted for Dunia Finance to negotiate an agreement with Du for the launch of mobile financial services. The firm acts as a ‘true business partner that is able to take into account the commercial consequences of a deal’, and Charles Lauback is an excellent lawyer who has a ‘network of contacts in the UAE that is second to none’.

Since opening its doors in 2008, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has relocated and/or recruited 12 lawyers to its Abu Dhabi office. Notable recent additions to the corporate team include bringing in funds specialist Robert Griffin from London and recruiting Chadi Salloum and Wael Jabsheh from Chiomenti Studio Legale and Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP, respectively. The team regularly acts for government entities and has a strong presence in the media and entertainment sector. The team recently advised Aldar Properties on its strategic alliance with Warner Bros.

Baker Botts L.L.P. displays ‘exceptional depth of strength across the various legal disciplines’. It is advising Abu Dhabi Investment Council on its $52m investment in an Iraqi oil field services company. Other notable work includes advising Abu Dhabi Health Services on its commercial contracts for facilities in the UAE, while other clients include Saudi Electricity Company and Mitsubishi. Gregory Golden is recommended – his ‘strength lies in his legal knowledge, accessibility, communication skills and follow-through’.

Fulbright & Jaworski LLP’s Dubai office handles a significant amount of work in the Middle East and North Africa. Mark Bisch advised Hammes Company on a joint venture with a Kuwaiti group to establish over 30 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region, while the Dubai and Riyadh offices have worked to advise Pepsi-Cola International on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters.

Galadari & Associates regularly provides policy and transactional advice to government entities. The team advised the government of Dubai on its $1.4bn acquisition of a media concern, acted for HBG Holdings on its $9.7m purchase of 9m shares in Muscat Finance Company, and assisted Dana Gas with its $1bn acquisition of Centurion Energy International. The firm launched a China desk staffed by lawyers with experience in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Bode Wilfred is recommended.

Many see Taylor Wessing (Middle East) LLP as both an international and local firm, in large part because it entered the market through a merger with the well-established firm of Key & Dixon. The team represents clients such as Deloitte Corporate Finance and Dubai Department of Economic Development, and is currently advising Addax Bank on investments in the UAE. Managing partner Christopher Dixon and Osama Hassan are highly recommended.

Bin Shabib & Associates (BSA) LLP is an excellent local law firm that acts for clients such as Kodak Middle East, Halliburton Worldwide and Royal & SunAlliance. Managing partner Jimmy Haoula’s experience includes advising the governments of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on privatisation, as well as acting on the restructuring of Dubai Sport City. The group handles M&A across a wide variety of industries, particularly telecoms and oil and gas.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP is best known for its shipping and insurance expertise, but also has a solid general corporate practice. The group acts on the establishment and restructuring of businesses, primarily involving onshore Abu Dhabi structures and Dubai free zones. In 2009, the firm deepened its resources through an association with Salem Al Maddfa Advocates & Legal Consultants in Abu Dhabi. Rula Dajani heads the team.

Khasawneh & Associates Legal Consultants’ corporate head Nasser Ali Khasawneh has been actively representing international and local clients. The firm is particularly noted for its IP and technology work. Its reach throughout the Gulf region is strengthened by its links to KSLG, a partnership agreement between four firms with offices in Amman, Baghdad, Dubai and Riyadh.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has only been in the UAE since January 2009, but has a long history of handling work in the Middle East. Mark Soundy, who splits his time between London and Dubai, advised on the merger between Showtime Arabia and the Orbit Group, the Middle East’s largest private-sector, cross-border merger. The team partners with local firms where local law advice is needed.

White & Case LLP lost Sami Al-Louzi and Villiers Terblanche to Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and Latham & Watkins LLP, respectively. However, the team retains the investment funds prowess of Zeeshan Ahmedani and M&A expertise of Philip Power. The team acted for Qatar Holding on its $6bn investment in Credit Suisse Group.

WongPartnership LLP is acting for Advanced Technology Investment, which is wholly owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, on its S$5.6bn acquisition of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing. It also advised Design Studio Furniture Manufacturer Ltd regarding a mandatory cash offer from Depa Interiors.