Norton Rose Fulbright > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Financial services regulation Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team has ‘profound experience in regulatory affairs and a knowledge of best practices and regulatory expectations’. The team covers traditional financial services, fintech and cryptocurrency mandates, and the group also assists financial institutions with compliance and regulatory regimes, and acts for corporates on investigations and allegations by regulatory bodies. Matthew Shanahan brings in-house regulatory expertise to bear on a number of complex instructions for domestic and international clients. Counsel Andre Abou Aad handles a range of financial regulatory issues. Junior associate Hasanali Pirbhai is a strong supporting presence on a number of matters, and counsel Karl Masi joined the team in early 2024.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright's team has a strong knowledge of the local and regional regulatory landscape and advises clients on sensitive and complex investigatory proceedings as well as providing compliance advice. The firm has a wealth of experience representing clients in response to investigations by bodies including the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Financial Service Regulatory Authority and Abu Dhabi Global Market regulator, and are also well positioned to carry out investigations regarding issues including harassment and discrimination allegations. Matthew Shanahan handles contentious and non-contentious mandates, with a strong focus on white-collar crime, anti-money laundering, and other financial crimes, and is praised for his 'timely and sound guidance in a multitude of different subject matters'. Associate Hasanali Pirbhai is also highly active in complex regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. Orlando Vidal  left the firm.

United Arab Emirates > Investment fund formation and management Tier 1

A near-unrivalled one-stop shop due to its ability to act on fund formation, execution and investments, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s client roster includes sovereign wealth funds, investment holding companies, and financial institutions. The practice is led by Zubair Mir and Geoffroy Hermanns, who stand out for their knowledge of the market and wider region. Matthew Shanahan adds expertise in regulatory knowledge. Recently, the group has acted on a range of Shari-ah compliant sub-funds, the establishment of an array of sector-focused funds, particularly energy, and assisted with major investments into funds. The team is lauded for it’s ‘proficiency across the ranks’, and associate Shakir Mogalia notably stands out as an integral supporting presence on multiple mandates, working across a range of asset classes such as private equity funds, real estate funds, and debt funds.

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 2

Advising on the full range of conventional and Shariah-compliant financing deals, Norton Rose Fulbright regularly acts for some of the largest regional banks and financial providers, and show notable proficiency in real estate, logistics and energy. Practice head Mohammed Paracha is a competent cross border adviser whose recent work highlights include financings for major property, hospitality, residential and office space developments, while Nicholas Robinson is a key figure for both regional and international banks and possesses a wide portfolio of work. Robin Balmer advises on a variety of project financing mandates, while counsel Seya Rahnema has a considerable Islamic financing offering. A spate of hires and partner relocations have strengthened the Dubai offering, with Hamed Afzal – previously of Akin – and Marc Hamilton joining in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively. Between them, they bring strong expertise in debt capital markets and regional asset financing.

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The 'cohesive, well managed, thoughtful, experienced and consistent' team at Norton Rose Fulbright attracts instructions from regional government entities, sovereign wealth funds, and established industry names. The group handles a considerable volume of big ticket M&A and cross-border investment deals, alongside excellent corporate restructuring and joint venture work. Practice head Adjou Ait Ben Idir has a core focus on M&A in the energy, infrastructure, aviation and fintech sectors. The 'excellent' Zubair Mir is lauded for his ability 'to find commercial solutions to the most complex issues' and is well regarded for his strength in private equity. Kayaan Unwalla's strong understanding of defence and technological developments is of great benefit to clients in a range of sectors and Jonathan Burton is particularly accomplished at strategic joint ventures and foreign direct investment mandates. Shahrzad Askarpour is noted for her involvement in commercial and corporate matters.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team has ‘the confidence, experience and skills to undertake difficult cases’. It draws on the expertise of its deep bench to handle high-value local and international dispute resolution, operating across banking, real estate, hospitality, construction M&A, and energy and infrastructure – among others. The team also includes a number of certified mediators. Deirdre Walker handles all forms of litigation, mediation and arbitration and also assist with DFSA regulatory and internal investigations and Yaroslav Klimov is routinely sought out by CIS countries for representation in disputes. Shabnam Karim is a key figure for healthcare malpractice, D&O, and cyber liability cases, and newly promoted partner Aarti Thadani is a key name for construction litigation. Nick Sharratt joined the practice from Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP in October 2023 and now leads the practice following Paul Stothard‘s move to the firm’s London office. Orlando Vidal left the firm.

United Arab Emirates > Insurance Tier 2

Cyber incident response, financial lines claims, and medical malpractice remain key components of the practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. Shabnam Karim is proficient in D&O insurance and professional lability coverage matters, while the ‘knowledgeable and extremely responsive’ Adjou Ait Ben Idir is adept in regulatory matters. They co-lead the team, which also includes Rebecca Neville, an experienced figure in business interruption and financial lines claims, and Ivana Cicic, who is skilled at healthcare malpractice claims.

United Arab Emirates > Capital markets Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright advises on structured products, equity-linked issuances, securitisations, and a number of Sukuk issuances for large financial players. The group also closely collaborates with colleagues across its network to act on global equity offerings for multinational companies. Zubair Mir is sought out by clients for transactional advice. Hamed Afzal has notable expertise in both the equity and debt space and has a strong understanding of a number of regional markets.

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright's construction practice is led by Nicholas Kramer, whose recent caseload includes airport, district cooling, PPP, and wind development projects. Mark Berry is knowledgeable of the natural resources sector, notably mining construction and infrastructure, while Anastasia Kastelskaya is active in oil and gas matters. Knowhee Myung is also a key team member.

United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 3

Capable of handling the financing, development, construction and, sale and purchase of a range of projects - spanning renewables, utilities, social infrastructure, and transport - Norton Rose Fulbright is a go-to for a range of clients, especially for ‘first-of-its-kind’ mandates. Saudi Arabia is a hotspot of activity for the group, where it acts on critical infrastructure developments such as car parks, airports and water treatment facilities, as well as advising industry players on their interactions with the National Renewable Energy Program. Practice head Angela Croker has a vast knowledge of the region and acts as project finance counsel to a long list of financial institutions, corporations and governments. Fellow co-chair Nicholas Kramer is noted for his regulatory and contractual negotiating capabilities, which he deploys in high-value, complex developments. Robin Balmer is chiefly noted for his work in Saudi Arabia, specifically with regards to water, solar, and transport sector projects. Hesa Alsaad, who was promoted to senior associate in April 2023, is also recommended.