The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Reed Smith handles a broad range of conventional and Islamic finance transactions for clients such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and advises BNY Mellon, AXA and others on regulatory matters. Recent highlights include advising Union National Bank on its $125m term and revolving loan facility to UAE Exchange. Dubai-based Vince Gordon heads the Middle East business and finance practice, and is ably supported by regional managing partner Adam Morgan on asset finance matters.

Within Construction, Reed Smith is a second tier firm,

Reed Smith combines ‘good technical and industry knowledge’ with ‘top-notch responsiveness’ for government and private sector entities including Reem Investments. The three-partner team represented the Abu Dhabi Prince Crown Court in a mixed-use development and football stadium project in Al Ain. Arash Amai is ‘an indispensable team member and trusted adviser’, with Tarek Abdalla and Chau Ee Lee also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, tier 4

Reed Smith represented East Water in its acquisition of the international division of a German water utility company which, in a reflection of its cross-border expertise, involved co-operating with its Munich and Hong Kong offices. Key clients also include DHS Oil International. Middle East business and finance head Vince Gordon is ‘pleasant, sincere and likeable’.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Reed Smith has a ‘competent and thorough’ disputes team with a strong focus on construction cases. Highlights included acting for Dasman Properties in ICC arbitration relating to the termination of a development lease. Jay McKenna recently relocated to the Middle East from the firm’s Pittsburgh office. Construction disputes expert Paul Taylor joined in January 2012.

Within Projects and energy , Reed Smith is a third tier firm,

Reed Smith has a strong local real estate and infrastructure practice, and acted for Reem Developers LLC on all aspects of its $8bn, 633ha Al Reem Island development off the coast of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi based partner Arash Amai is ‘pleasant to work with, even during tense situations’.

Within Real estate, Reed Smith is a second tier firm,

Reed Smith provides ‘a level of responsiveness and industry knowledge that is top-notch’, which is reflected in its top-end client roster, which includes Reem Developers and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. Chau Ee Lee, Tarek Abdalla and Arash Amai provide a range of contentious and non-contentious expertise, and recently acted for the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court on a mixed-use development and football stadium project in Al Ain.

Within Shipping, Reed Smith is a second tier firm,

Adam Morgan’s shipping team at Reed Smith acted for Huta Marine in a dispute involving a dredger under construction in China, and advised Eagle Shipping on newbuilds in China and Japan and the restructuring of its $1.6bn financing arrangements.