‘Commercially-oriented, flexible, responsive’ Clifford Chance is instructed by lenders, sponsors and investors on multi-billion pound infrastructure and energy projects across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The team leverages its substantial global financial markets expertise to advise on a myriad of assets, including – but not limited to – solar and wind, oil and gas, hydrogen and utilities. The practice is led by Mohamed Hamra-Krouha, a prolific project finance partner who has overseen a number of the region’s most consequential builds, particularly in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Fellow co-head Richard Parris and syndicated lending specialist Graham Brewer bring further financing expertise to the fore, both possessing broad and jurisdictionally diverse experience. Counsel Jeremy Barker and senior associate Prakruthi Gowda are further key members of the team.

Proficient in M&A, financing, development and construction work, Dentons leverages its considerable Middle Eastern footprint to act on an array of high-profile infrastructure and energy projects across the region. The firm oversees leading work in the emerging hydrogen sector, as well as working with state entities on critical PPP developments alongside a range of funds and financial sponsors. Jon Nash, who leads the UAE-based team, has been principally engaged on waste treatment, renewable energy, and utilities work over the past twelve months. Udayan Mukherjee is particularly noted for project finance expertise, maintaining relationships with a number of banks, borrowers and governments across the region. Senior associate Kanishka Singh excels in the waste treatment space.

Frequently sought out by governmental bodies in the region for its market-leading utilities work, DLA Piper handles an impressive range of both public and private side mandates, with notable expertise in the water and electricity space. A hallmark feature of the practice is its PPP work, with demonstrable activity in the health, transport and logistics sectors, while renewable energy matters continue to form a substantial part of the firm’s workload. James Iremonger and Robert Harker co-lead the team; the latter is a proficient project financer who is particularly knowledgeable of the traditional power and water space. Adam Haque has presided over a number of precedent-setting projects in the region, and is a go-to for utilities and hydrogen work, whereas Mona Hammadi is notably focused on solar builds. Trevor Butcher retired in the beginning of 2022, while Keith Bullen joined EY Law LLP (MENA) in January 2023.

 

Frequently instructed by international financial institutions, premium sponsors, and governments institutions for project financing expertise, White & Case LLP work on an array of blockbuster developments, spanning conventional and renewable energy ventures, social and transport infrastructure builds, and utility developments. Instututional relationships across the region gives the firm access to NEOM projects in Saudi Arabia, railway and passenger station extensions in Abu Dhabi, and novel financing arrangements in the MENA region. The practice is jointly chaired by a number of lawyers, including Adam Pierson, who is regularly sought out by oil and gas giants for his asset expertise and transactional capabilities. Yasser K. Riad is renowned for his far-reaching cross-border project financing practice, possessing comprehensive understanding of various assets, while Antoine Cousin is noted for his expertise in the power, water and utilities sectors. Alexander Malahias stands out for his work in tourism infrastructure projects, working with sovereign wealth funds on joint ventures and financing transactions, while Ivan Paskal is chiefly engaged on energy-related matters. Din Eshanov - who relocated to Abu Dhabi from Riyadh in 2023 - is a key figure for NEOM-related work.

Comprising ‘motivated, committed and devoting’ partners with ‘hands-on experience in energy sector’, Bracewell LLP acts on an array of premium conventional power and renewable energy transactions, with a particularly strong engagement with Saudi Arabia and its rounds of renewable independent power producers (IPPs). Social infrastructure is another focus for the firm, handling NEOM-based residential community developments as well as landmark hospital PPPs. Practice head Andrej Kormuth is ‘well connected with the key players and aware of the entire market’, making him a strong choice for both borrowers and lenders across the region, - particularly in relation to water and wastewater deals. Tom Swarbrick draws on considerable construction expertise to advise on an array of assets from the inception stage through to completion. Senior associate Shayan Najib and associate Amelia Bowring have been integral to an number of consequential practice matters, while associate Nick Meyer has already advised on a number of complex transactions despite only joining the group in March 2023, arriving from DLA Piper.

Acting on ‘complex, first of its kind projects’, Eversheds Sutherland LLP provides a wide-ranging offering, and is particularly geared to act on major renewable and utility projects - particularly in solar and water. Beyond its established expertise in project financing, the firm has been active on a range of M&A mandates, advising consortia of lenders and sponsors on novel acquisition financing structures. Practice head Ashley Halewood is a ‘problem solving and deal making oriented partner who brings a lot of value to the deal’, capable across an array of asset types. Clint Dempsey is a stellar financing practitioner who is equally proficient in Islamic financing and asset financing. Senior associate Adite Aloke has already built an impressively broad practice and has been involved in some the firm’s most significant and consequential deals.

 

With a number of ‘first of its kind' developments and financing methods comprising its workload, King & Spalding LLP advises some of the world's largest asset managers, sovereign wealth funds and leading industry players on high-value and cross border deals. The group is strong across multiple forms of power and have been retained as counsel from inception through to delivery and completion on market-leading giga-projects, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The practice is headed up by Tim Burbury, who utilises specialisms in PPP and project finance to advise on premium transactions. Dan Feldman and Brendan Hundt bring further capabilities on the development and financing front; the two joined the firm from Shearman & Sterling LLP in January and March 2023, respectively. Associate Sam Muir combines infrastructure and construction capabilities to advise on utilities, transport and health and education developments. James Clark left the practice in October 2023 to join Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm LLPC.

 

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.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP pulls together a strong offering in the projects space, drawing on the contentious expertise of team head Rania Tadros, the extensive financing capabilities of co-lead Rustum Shah, and transactional prowess of partner Diwakar Agarwal. Acting for domestic and international clients alike, the team bring their experience to bear on a range of  strategically significant cross-border ventures, particularly in the renewables and agricultural space, where the embedded technological expertise of the group is greatly valued. Managing associate Toufic Safie and associate Murtaza Hussain continue to be highly active. Former practice lead Nijoe Joseph left the firm in November 2023 to join Milavous Group.