Linklaters is capable across a wide range of cross-border financing and refinancing work - notably in relation to real estate and infrastructure projects – with key expertise in Islamic financing underpinning the firm’s offering. Practice head Kieron Zaman is a formidable adviser who is well versed in all manner of financing deals, particularly structured and restructured syndicated financings. Fellow team-head Reem Al Sayegh – noted for his regulatory expertise – is a frequent port of call for many clients interested in real estate and infrastructure lending. Recommended for his proficiency in cross-border debt finance transactions, Valery Nformba provides key support on a number of the team’s key engagements. Senior consulant Christian Saunders joined the team in April 2023.

Al Tamimi & Company has an international reach that is leveraged on far-reaching deals for a wealth of banks and industry players centred in UAE and the wider region. The team handles complex project financing, debt capital market work, asset and trade financing, and restructurings and insolvencies, and is noted for its strength in digital currency transactions and regulatory advice and reform. A core component of practice head Husam Hourani‘s offering includes Sharia-compliant financing and capital market deals, and he remains an expert in regulatory matters. Jody Waugh routinely works with major financial institutions on a wide array of banking and financing mandates, while Mark Brown‘s proficiencies are largely concentrated in transactional lending and restructuring and insolvency issues. Both Ashish Banga and Muhammad Ammad Yasin provide key support on a host of deals.

A number of premium credit providers and lenders turn to the team at Allen & Overy LLP for assistance with syndicated loans for international joint ventures, acquisitions, and leveraged finance transactions. The group is particularly involved in major project financings in the energy and digital infrastructure space, where team head Joe Clinton demonstrates notable expertise. Samer Eido remains the go-to practitioner in the firm for Islamic financing counsel, excelling at debt restructuring and acquisition financing, while Anthony Traboulsi is a port-of-call for both domestic and international financial institutions seeking lending advice. Associate Haifaa Ibrahim is recognised by clients for her professionalism and ability to handle complex issues. Julian Johansen retired from the practice in February 2023.

 

 

Dentons is well-regarded for its strong financing offering, excelling in both conventional and Islamic transactions The team acts for various regional financial institutions, leading industry corporates, government bodies and multilateral agencies, and has been notably active on ‘green’ deals, including sustainability-linked financings and bonds, as well consequential real estate and transport mandates. Alex Roussos and Stephen Knight co-lead the practice; the former is noted for his debt-financing and capital market capabilities, while the latter is recommended for his project finance expertise. Udayan Mukherjee is active on both the lenders and borrowers side on a mix of acquisition, project, and sustainability-linked financings, while Qasim Aslam continues to be an eminent practitioner regarding Islamic financing. Umera Ali is noted for his capabilities in cross-border matters.

Energy and infrastructure project financing work forms the flagship component of Ashurst LLP’s UAE offering, with the team helming high-profile deals for a mix of leading industry players. Fielding a range of multi-disciplinary specialists across their extensive global network of offices, the group are able to act on major, cross-border developments and builds with complex aspects – including Islamic financing. Managing partner and practice lead David Charlier advises a range of sponsors, lenders and government institutions across the Middle East, and has considerable experience acting on landmark projects, while Natasha Kavanagh is a strong projects lawyer who is experienced acting for both the borrower and lender on a variety of transactions.

Well versed in both conventional and Islamic financing, DLA Piper leverages its considerable international reach to advise on cross-border financing deals in the Middle Eastern region and beyond. The team demonstrates expertise in high-profile restructuring and insolvency mandates, and continues to undertake impressive work in the project financing and debt financing space. Department head Paul McViety is a key figure for multinational corporations, financial services providers and government bodies that seek his assistance on a plethora of financing options. He is also familiar with an array of Islamic financing structures. Widely viewed as one of the top debt specialists in the market, co-head James Iremonger has been recently active on real estate, hospitality and healthcare affairs. Legal director Richard Dassin and senior associate Jonathan Downey are also recommended.

 

Fielding a dedicated UAE team that works with a host of financial institutions, Latham & Watkins LLP demonstrates wide-ranging capabilities pertaining to the financing of brownfield and greenfield developments, fund acquisitions, and a variety of restructurings. Islamic financing continues to be a cornerstone of the practice; the team regularly advises on first-of-its-kind deals across the region, including corporate restructurings and digital infrastructure matters. Practice head Christian Adams is noted for his proficiency in cross-border transactions, especially in the real estate, hospitality and infrastructure sectors. Chirag Sanghrajka  has a strong track record of working with both public and private sector clients on a broad array of financing mandates, with notable experience counselling on project bonds and Islamic financing.

Prolific across project financing, structured financing and restructuring and insolvency, Pinsent Masons LLP handles a host of premium deals across a range of sectors and industries, leveraging expertise in both conventional and Islamic transaction structures. The team is steered by Matthew Escritt, a highly experienced debt and project finance lawyer who has handled PPP-procured social infrastructure developments over the past twelve months alongside significant hospitality and real estate transactions. Since research concluded, Matthew Dyson left the firm.

Boasting a strong track record of advising federal and local government authorities, Hadef & Partners LLC advises on a variety of financing structures, particularly for clients handling emerging technological tools and digital assets. Large project finance deals continue to be a key feature of the practice, alongside acquisition financing, Islamic financing, and complex cross-border transactions. The group is headed by Catriona McDevitt, an experienced multi-jurisdictional specialist who advises lenders, borrowers and government-owned entities across the full range of finance deals. Alan Rodgers regularly handles debt capital markets, PPP and restructuring mandates. Senior associate Ajai Ramakrishnan is also recommended.

HFW brings its experience to bear on a number of key mandates including Islamic finance, trade finance and private equity. Infrastructure, shipping and aviation-centrered work is a key component of the practice’s offering, with the team able to cover the financing, development and regulatory piece on large-scale projects. Cross-border instructions are also commonplace for the group, which regularly works with regional and international banks on their lending operations. Shyamal Jeewoolall sits at the head of the group and is particularly revered for his aviation expertise, whereas Tien Tai is a go-to for project financing. Vince Gordon also comes highly recommended. Ian Chung joined the team from Clyde & Co LLP in September 2022, bringing further capabilities in acquisition financing and debt and leasing work to the firm.

Routinely called upon to advise on large-scale international real estate projects, King & Spalding LLP‘s expertise covers both conventional and Islamic structures, boasting an impressive track record in unique transactions. Beyond this, the group has a strong restructuring offering – often receiving instructions from industry heavyweights – and are adept at acting for asset managers to establish credit funds. Team head Michael Rainey has a broad international practice, regularly advising borrowers and lenders on complex cross-border transactions in the Middle East. James Stull is noted for his extensive work alongside funds engaging in Shariah-compliant financings, while Nabil Issa‘s far-reaching expertise is largely concentrated in investment structures for real estate and private equity investments. Issa often works in tandem with Asal Saghari, noted for their far-reaching capabilities.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP advises a diverse global client base on both conventional and Islamic financing structures. The team is frequently called upon as lenders counsel for a roster of marquee domestic, regional and international banks, as well as advising financial institutions as to English law and regional law as they look to update a variety of issuance programmes. Team head Muneer Khan has a broad practice that sees him split his time between financial services regulation, compliance and sanctions work, and Islamic financing. Aditi Sanyal not only has great expertise, but also ‘strong client skills’ and the ability ‘to find a solution and provide pragmatic legal advice.’ Lee Irvine is particularly well-reputed for his cross-border proficiency, often advising on international debt offerings that include Sukuk transactions. Kate Chapman comes recommended for her expertise in Murabaha and Ijara financing structures, and Jennifer Hanna works with both lenders and borrowers on a broad range of instructions that includes acqusition financing, Islamic financing, and restructurings.

Noted for the breadth of their capabilities, Watson Farley & Williams is a strong choice for both conventional and Islamic financing matters. Despite a wide sector focus, the group show notable expertise on maritime and aviation-related matters, as well as a demonstrating a broad competence across a wide array of energy assets. Michael Savva leads the team and ‘gives practical advice’ on cross-border deals that includes structured finance, equity finance, leasing and project finance transactions. Senior associate Charlotte Knight and associate Stuart Bolton both come recommended for their far-reaching, technical knowledge, and understanding of the market.

Gibson Dunn covers an array of financing transactions, drawing on the firm’s relationships with leading energy players to act on substantial project financings, sustainability linked facilities, and acquisition financings for both assets and companies. Laleh Shahabi - who joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP in February 2023 - now helms the practice, working closely with corporate sponsors, governments, and government-related entities in both the UAE and wider GCC region on the full gamut of financing matters.

Reed Smith is praised as ‘dynamic and commercial, providing practical solutions in timely manner’. The team acts on an array of financing transactions, drawing on cross-border capability and Islamic financing knowledge to assist domestic and international banks on complex deals. Amir Ahmad, who heads up the practice, is well-regarded for his debt financing expertise, acting on the firm’s most complex Shariah-compliant financing work. Nick Stainthorpe works with private equity firms, hedge funds, and institutional banks on the full range of financing mandates, demonstrating particular expertise in structured finance. Counsel Umbreen Meenai has been highly active over the past twelve months, advising on asset finance, project finance and trade finance. Associate Oliver Spence also comes recommended.