Newton Legal > Manama, Bahrain > Firm Profile
Newton Legal Offices
Floor 48, Harbour Towers - East
Bahrain Financial Harbour,
Bahrain
Newton Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings
Bahrain > Projects and energy Tier 1
Operating at the apex of Bahrain’s projects and energy market, Newton Legal is regularly sought after by leading international companies and high-profile public entities to assist with particularly complex transactions. The team has a broad range of experience in advising large energy companies such as Bapco on supply concessions and agreements, as well as oil and gas project financing and construction. Founding partner and team head Joseph Huse’s practice has a particular emphasis on oil and gas, with expertise in share and business transfers, EPC energy contracts, and other oil and gas transactions. He is supported by Aamal Al Abbasi and associate Maryam Kamal, the latter of whom has solid experience in the growing renewables sector.Practice head(s):
Joseph Huse
Other key lawyers:
Aamal Al Abasi; Maryam Kamal
Key clients
Nogaholding
Government of Bahrain
Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco)
Ministry of Oil
Imerys Al Zayani Fused Minerals
Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Company (BAFCO)
Enoc Marketing
Bac Jet Fuel
Bapco Retail Company
Work highlights
- Advised nogaholding and Bapco on Neste’s exit from the joint venture between the parties relating to the Bahrain lube base oil plant.
- Advised Imerys Al Zayani on the project to construct a 25,000 sqm solar power plant with a capacity of 4,500 kWp.
- Advised on the terms of a BOOM agreement between Bahrain International Circuit and an international consortium, and a project to install solar panels on eight public schools.
Bahrain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
Newton Legal advises leading companies and high-profile public entities on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including M&A, share transfer agreements, and joint ventures and strategic alliances. Aamal Al Abbasi leads the team and has vast knowledge of Bahraini law, with a particular emphasis on the Commercial Companies Law and Central Bank of Bahrain regulations. Ahmed Alfardan is also highly regarded, especially when it comes to complex M&A work.Practice head(s):
Aamal Al Abbasi
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team are very diligent and always deliver quality work.’
Key clients
Nogaholding
Government of Bahrain
Bapco
Investcorp
Mumtalakat
Ahli United Bank
Noon
Enoc
National Communications Centre
Malca-Amit
PwC
Hexagon
Fendi
Ooredoo
Export Bahrain
Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat)
Embee Middle East
Savills
Czarnikow Middle East
Mubasher Financial Services
Bapco Retail
BAC Jet Fuel
Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Company (BAFCO)
Ahmed Mansoor AlAali Real Estate Co.
Hope Fund
Mazad
Teekay
CEVA Logistics
Prodrive
Work highlights
- Advised the Government of Bahrain on the Covid-19 vaccine supply agreements.
- Advised nogaholding and Bapco on Neste’s exit from the joint venture between the parties relating to the Bahrain lube base oil plant.
- Advised Investcorp on the first conversion of a public company to a closed company in Bahrain.
Bahrain > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Newton Legal regularly handles high-end, complex litigation and arbitration, including some of the region’s most significant commercial, banking and real estate disputes. The team has also seen an increase in instructions in bankruptcy and reorganisation disputes, with team co-head Aamal Al Abbasi successfully representing Garmco in a $278m case before the Court of Cassation. Co-head Joseph Huse is highly skilled when it comes to international arbitrations.Practice head(s):
Aamal Al Abbasi
Other key lawyers:
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ms Aamal Al Abbasi | Managing Partner | View Profile |
|
Mr Joseph Huse | Founding Partner | View Profile |
Diversity
Newton Legal is led by its managing partner Aamal Al Abbasi; more than two-thirds of the Newton Legal team are woman. Most law graduates in Bahrain are women and this is reflected in the composition of our team, including in key roles in the firm.
Newton Legal has also taken a number of initiatives to train young Bahraini law graduates, including through the Bahraini Lawyers Development Program supported by Tamkeen. Several Newton Legal alumni, who have participated in the program, hold key roles in a number of in-house teams in Bahrain, including in Bapco, BISB, Gulf Financial House, Investcorp, the National Bank of Bahrain, SICO, Tamkeen and Zain Bahrain.
The firm also supports the PLPC program put in place by the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute that aims to provide training to young Bahraini law graduates.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: VP – Oil and Gas Company
COMPANY/FIRM: Oil and Gas Company
TESTIMONIAL: “The team is always helpful and available to us and responds to our queries in a timely manner as well as assisting with our local legal requirements and supporting on many initiatives. Newton Legal Group is approachable and dedicated and takes all the necessary steps and goes the extra mile to help us achieve our objectives.”
CLIENT: Acting Head – leading national bank
COMPANY/FIRM: National bank
TESTIMONIAL: “The team at Newton Legal has deep experience and significant expertise in real estate, commercial and dispute resolution matters, as they have shown great commitment and professionalism whilst providing exceptional legal support and client service which, in return, sets them apart from others. We are honoured to have worked with Newton Legal and would highly recommend them.”
CLIENT: Mohamed Rafea
COMPANY/FIRM: Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO)
TESTIMONIAL: “When the Company filed for voluntary petition for relief under the Reorganization and Bankruptcy Law, we decided to appoint Newton Legal Group to support us through the process. We were fortunate to work with Ms. Aamal Al Abbasi, Managing Partner who is not only highly experienced in the field, but also has extensive knowledge of the applicable legal issues. Her proactiveness helped the Company in finding right solutions at the right time thereby resolving several complex matters swiftly. Newton Legal Group has a team of adept professionals who are approachable, responsive to client needs and are fun to work with, and I would not hesitate to recommend Newton Legal, and wish them a great success.”
CLIENT: Head of Legal, leading bank in Bahrain
COMPANY/FIRM: National bank
TESTIMONIAL: “Excellent technical skills, coupled with a client-friendly approach. A pleasure to work with”.
Interviews
Joe Huse,Founding Partner
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional capacity?
I was first an associate at Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison and then a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for approximately 20 years. I retired as the MENA Regional Managing Partner in 2012. Immediately thereafter, I founded the law firm of Newton Legal in Bahrain. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to mentor approximately 40 young Bahraini lawyers. Notwithstanding my time at Paul Weiss and Freshfields, the positive impact of this mentoring clearly constitutes my greatest achievement.
What do you do differently from your peers in the industry?
My goal is to provide each of my clients with business-friendly solutions to their legal issues. In Bahrain, I work closely with the government, and in particular, the Minister of Oil. I would like to believe that I am recognized as the trusted legal advisor in this market.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
When I was developing my career as a young lawyer, such development efforts were all consuming. For example, during the work week, I would often spend little time with my children. In retrospect, I clearly should have had a better work/life balance.
Can you give me a practical example of how you helped a client add value to the business?
In November of 2017 I was called to the offices of the Minister of Oil in Bahrain. During the ensuing meeting, I was asked to take overall responsibility for the raising of the financing for a new refinery in an amount in excess of USD 4 billion. I could have said no, I am not a finance lawyer and I have never undertaken a significant financing role. Of course, I did not and in May of 2019 the financing was successfully closed. This financing is essential to the development of BAPCO, the Bahraini NOC.
Within your sector, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for clients over the next 12 months?
I work primarily in the oil and gas sector. In this sector clients are confronted with low energy prices, insufficient investment, and the challenges presented by global warming.
- Projects and energy
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution