The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a second tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP has ‘a strong understanding of the market’, and is considered to be ‘in the top bracket for debt capital markets Islamic finance products’. In 2011, the four-partner team acted for the joint lead managers in a $100m sukuk issued by KT Turkey Sukuk Limited; advised the arrangers on a $98m and €108.5m dual tranche syndicated commodity murabaha financing for Albara Türk Katilim Bankasi; and advised the arrangers on a $450m syndicated revolving facility. Practice head Rahail Ali has particular ‘strength in Islamic finance’. Additionally, Rustum Shah is ‘a solid finance lawyer’, and Imran Mufti has ‘an acute knowledge of Islamic finance and carries great credibility with shari’ah scholars’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP’s clients typically receive ‘excellent service’ from the four-partner UAE corporate practice. The corporate team has doubled its headcount of junior lawyers since the firm’s recent merger, and expanded its regional footprint. In 2011, it advised Citi infrastructure Investors on its $1.5bn acquisition of a majority stake in DP World’s Australian shipping terminal operator business, and represented Rotana Group in its reorganisation relating to News Corporation’s investment into the company. Dubai-based practice co-head Imtiaz Shah ‘adds real value to the negotiation process’, and is supported by co-head Sean Harrison in Abu Dhabi, and of counsel Warren Thomson, who has ‘good regional experience and excellent commercial acumen’.

Within Investment funds, Hogan Lovells International LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP’s team is ‘always professional and efficient in its approach’. Its expanded international scope and broadened regional capability has contributed to ‘very good funds lawyer’ Imtiaz Shah and his team winning new clients in 2011, among them Franklin Templeton, Emirates NBD and HK Advisory. Despite the overall paucity of new funds the team has maintained a healthy deal flow, including advising Fajr Capital on its acquisition of a stake in Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam.