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

Norton Rose Fulbright Offices

Norton Rose Fulbright
4TH FLOOR, GATE PRECINCT, BUILDING 3
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE
PO BOX 103747, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
Visit website 971 4 369 6300 971 4 369 6350

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

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

FCPA and UK Bribery Act, fraud prevention, and remediation are key areas of focus for the regulations, compliance and investigations practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. The practice is led by Orlando Vidal, who is a former US federal prosecutor. Deirdre Walker is another key individual and has substantial experience advising on Dubai Financial Services Authority regulatory investigations. Senior associate Hannah Bradshaw is also noted. Matthew Shanahan was a new arrival in early 2022.

Practice head(s):

Orlando Vidal

Other key lawyers:

Deidre Walker; Paul Stothard; Hannah Bradshaw; Lolan Sagoe-Moses; Matthew Shanahan

Testimonials

‘The team provides a highly professional and well coordinated service.’

‘Meticulous in their attention to detail, the members are legally astute, approachable and friendly.’

‘Paul Stothard, assisted by Hannah Bradshaw and Lolan Sagoe-Moses share many of the same characteristics. All three are super bright, rigorous, tactically dextrous, approachable and a pleasure to deal with. They are particularly skilled at dealing with difficult and demanding clients.’

‘Exceptional level of dedication by the team leaving no stone unturned to give the best possible advice on our case and to fight every inch. ‘

‘They were willing to challenge the regulator and point out where they were being unreasonable while also choosing our battles carefully, and anticipating rebuttals in order to ensure we could knock down any challenges.’

‘NRF also took a commercially friendly approach to billing.’

‘Hannah Bradshaw showed a high level of dedication and commitment to our case. She was available at all times and made us feel like she was personally committed to helping us reach the best outcome.’

‘Paul Stothard oversaw our case and ensured that our case was handled with the highest level of attention and care, whilst being extremely reasonable with billing and understanding of the financial challenges that such cases place on the business.‘

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

Norton Rose Fulbright has an experienced transactional banking practice that covers general banking, real estate finance, export credit finance, trade finance, acquisition finance and asset finance. Banking and Islamic finance practice head Mohammed Paracha has extensive expertise in real estate finance, project finance, sukuk, Shariah governance and regulatory matters. Robin Balmer is a key contact in the region and heads the banking and finance practice in Saudi Arabia. Nicholas Robinson is another key individual in the firm's UAE offering.

Practice head(s):

Mohammed Paracha

Other key lawyers:

Robin Balmer; Nicholas Robinson

Key clients

HSBC

Standard Chartered Bank

Bank of America and Merrill Lynch

Societe Generale

BNP Paribas

First Abu Dhabi Bank

EmiratesNBD

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

Mashreqbank

Commercial Bank of Dubai

Work highlights

  • Advised the book-runners and mandated lead arrangers on a $1.75bn sustainability-linked credit facility to EmirateNBD Bank PJSC (ENBD), involving a syndicate of leading international banks.
  • Advising the lenders to ACWA Power and GIC in respect of the development and financing (both conventional and Islamic) related aspects of the 900MW photovoltaic fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
  • Advised APICORP and National Bank of Fujairah in respect of all aspects of the structuring and financing by Total Solar of a portfolio comprising 30 rooftop solar projects in the UAE as part of the Dubai Shams Rooftop initiative.

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

Norton Rose Fulbright has an experienced litigation and arbitration practice with expertise representing clients in the banking, hospitality, telecoms, energy and real estate sectors. Paul Stothard heads the firm’s Middle East dispute resolution practice and has expertise in handling commercial and investment disputes. Deirdre Walker frequently represents financial institutions and major corporates in disputes involving commercial fraud. Orlando Vidal is the head of investigations and Shabnam Karim takes the lead on insurance disputes.

Practice head(s):

Paul Stothard

Other key lawyers:

Deirdre Walker; Orlando Vidal; Shabnam Karim

Key clients

Harlan Group for Civil Rights

Work highlights

  • Advising The Unfinished Business of American Democracy Committee of the Harlan Group for Civil Rights on a pro bono basis in relation to helping approximately 3.5m US citizens in Puerto Rico with the right to vote for US presidents and members of congress.

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright advises on a wide variety of inbound and outbound investments for financial institutions, corporations and government entities. Adjou Ait Ben Idir heads the firm’s Middle East corporate, M&A, securities and cyber risk practice; she has also played a key role in bolstering the firm’s insurance offering in the region. Kayaan Unwalla focuses on cross-border M&A and government contracting in the technology, defence and manufacturing sectors. Senior associate Zaid Al-Rizzo is also noted. Key changes to the team include the arrival of Zubair Mir in 2021 from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

Practice head(s):

Adjou Ait Ben Idir

Other key lawyers:

Kayaan Unwalla; Zaid Al-Rizzo; Zubair Mir

Testimonials

‘Adjou Ait Ben Idir has phenomenal interpersonal skills and project leadership. She spots her client’s needs and translates it to the stakeholders and provides business-oriented legal support.’

‘Zaid Al-Rizzo has great negotiation skills to reach a concurrence between different stakeholders/parties.’

Key clients

AIG

Chubb

Ralph & Russo

Batelco

Deliveroo

First Gulf Bank

HSBC Bank Middle East

Macquarie Group Limited

Nakheel

AXA XL

EITC (Du telecom)

Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation

Nestle

Total SA

Tawazun

Etisalat

Recochem Inc

Helios Investment Partners LLP

Cooper Pharma

Mayo Clinic

Ultima Stables

Mediclinic

Transmed

Injazat

Asteco Property Management L.L.C

Pepperstone

CAE

Work highlights

  • Advised Cooper Pharma on its granted license with United PPE to develop and manufacture Covid-19 diagnostic tests using Sherlock’s CRISPR technology.
  • Advised Elaine Jones on the acquisition of real estate services company Asteco Property Management to Aldar Estates.
  • Assisted SNC Lavalin with the sale of its oil and gas business to Kentech Corporate Holdings Limited.

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright has an active presence across the Middle East and advises on construction projects in the renewables, water, power, petrochemicals, social infrastructure and PPP sectors. Nicholas Kramer heads the firm’s non-contentious offering within construction and advises governments, developers, contractors and lenders. Dispute resolution practice head Paul Stothard has particular expertise in international arbitration, as well as experience acting in commercial and investment disputes.

Practice head(s):

Nicholas Kramer; Paul Stothard

Testimonials

‘Nicholas Kramer is impressive in his thorough knowledge of construction law.’

Key clients

Ochre

ACWA Power

twofour54

Mubadala

Nakheel

IFC

HSBC

Yapi Merkezi

Emirates National Investment

The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects

Atles Industries

Saudi Tabreed

Tibah Airports Development Company Limited (Tibah)

ESL Gaming GmbH

Work highlights

  • Advising twofour54 on the development and construction of two separate sound stage facilities at the Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD) in Abu Dhabi.
  • Advising IFC as lenders on the development of the 51.75MW Abour and 49.5MW Tafila wind power projects in Jordan, both of which are under construction.

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

Norton Rose Fulbright has an ‘experienced‘ projects and energy offering. The firm’s project finance practice is led by Angela Croker who has a particular focus on power, water and infrastructure projects. Nicholas Kramer experience advising governments, developers, contractors and lenders. Paul Mansouri  relocated to the firm's London office.

Practice head(s):

Angela Croker; Nicholas Kramer

Testimonials

‘NRF team is well experienced with PF scheme projects where legal advisory has to deal with both client and lenders. In this regard, I am very satisfied with their performance. They always prepare in advance with visibility to what comes next from procurer and the lenders.’

‘The team provides practical and sensible solutions that address our issues . Always timely delivery of work and cost competitive .’

‘Great commercial and negotiation skills, following and protecting lenders’ requests’

Key clients

ACWA Power

Vision Invest

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

International Finance Corporation

Natixis

MUFG Bank

Standard Chartered Bank

Veolia

Marafiq

National Commercial Bank

Al Rajhi Bank

Abu Dhabi Investment Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Emirates NBD

Korea Development Bank

KfW

Saudi Tabreed

Arab National Bank

Boubyan Bank

KAPP

Norinchukin Bank

Mizuho Bank

Siemens Bank

SMBC

Engie

JBIC

Electricite de France

KEPCO

Work highlights

  • Advised the lenders to a consortium comprising ACWA Power, Mubadala Investment Company PJSC and the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) on the Umm Al Quwain 150 MG IWP project in the UAE.
  • Advised the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mizuho Bank Ltd, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Limited, BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV and Standard Chartered Bank on the $957m financing of the Fujairah F3 Independent Power Producer project in the UAE.
  • Advised the senior lenders and equity lenders on the development and financing (both conventional and Islamic) related aspects of the 900MW photovoltaic fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

United Arab Emirates > Insurance Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Adjou Ait Ben Idir heads the firm’s insurance offering in the Middle East; Adjou is a corporate insurance specialist and has substantial experience advising clients on cross-border transactions and cyber risk. Counsel Shabnam Karim heads the contentious insurance and liability claims practice and focuses on financial lines and cyber liability insurance.

Practice head(s):

Adjou Ait Ben Idir; Shabnam Karim

Testimonials

‘The Middle East team is well diversified and bring local expertise as well as global experience as part of a practice which deals with insurance matters across the world. Since Shabnam joined to develop the contentious practice, the team is dealing with financial lines and contentious cyber matters across the region. The team also plugs into a global cyber incident response offering where clients have a one hour 24/7 cyber response service.’

‘Shabnam is well respected for her areas of expertise, specifically financial lines and cyber. Shabnam is committed to the Middle East Region and is known for being instructed on high profile and high value Middle East D&O liability insurance cases. She has a good profile amongst the local and global reinsurance community. She is known for being proactive and results driven and a local expert.’

Key clients

AXA-XL

American International Group (AIG)

Munich Re

Mediclinic Middle East

Beazley Group

Euclid

Marsh

Zurich

GCIC

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 3

The Middle East real estate practice at Norton Rose Fulbright handles a broad range of work, from real estate financing and dispute resolution, to energy and infrastructure projects and real estate development projects. Louisa Lynch heads the real estate practice in the region and has been active on real estate development projects in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Practice head(s):

Louisa Lynch

Key clients

Mubadala Investment Company

Nakheel PJSCHSBC Middle East

Credit Suisse

Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Ltd

Twofour54

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC

ACWA Power

GIC

Work highlights

  • Advising Mubadala Investment Company on a number of plot sales on Al Maryah Island, having advised on the sale of four plots on Al Maryah Island to Webridge Properties LLC for development as mixed-use developments.
  • Advised Nakheel on multiple aspects of the Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah which forms part of the Nakheel Mall development, including advising on the legal strata titling of the Palm Tower and the Nakheel Mall.
  • Advised HSBC on its corporate offices in Abu Dhabi and on its build-to-suit development of HSBC’s new headquarters in Emaar Square.

United Arab Emirates > Investment fund formation and management

Saudi Arabia > Dispute resolution

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm in association with Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has solid experience litigating in Saudi courts and committees. Practice head Mohammed Al Ghamdi is recommended for domestic and international arbitration with a focus on labour and immigration, anti-corruption, and regulatory compliance matters. Counsel Naif Al Otaibi specialises in settlement negotiation and ADR. The team also has strength in regional arbitrations; Dubai-based Paul Stothard who heads the overall dispute resolution group in the Middle East is a key contact for energy and infrastructure disputes.

Practice head(s):

Mohmmed Al Ghamdi

Other key lawyers:

Naif Al Otaibi; Paul Stothard

Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile

The firm: Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 4000 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

Areas of practice: Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through our global risk advisory group, we leverage our industry experience with our knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide our clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.

Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com

Offices: We have offices in the world’s most important business, financial and regulatory centres and are active in strategically important growth markets. Our offices are located in Amsterdam, Athens, Austin, Bahrain, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Brussels, Calgary, Canberra, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Durban, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta (in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia), Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Minneapolis, Monaco, Montréal, Moscow, Munich, New York, Ottawa, Paris, Perth, Piraeus, Port Moresby, Québec, Rio de Janeiro, Riyadh (in association with Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm), San Antonio, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, St Louis, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Warsaw and Washington, DC. In Africa, we have alliances with firms in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Zimbabwe

Number of partners (worldwide): 1,000+
Number of other fee-earners (worldwide): 2,000+
Total staff: 7,500+

Global key contacts
Financial institutions: James Bateson
Energy: Anne Lapierre and John Mauel
Infrastructure, mining and commodities: Nick Merritt
Transport: Harry Theochari
Technology: Nick Abrahams
Life sciences and healthcare: Stacey Martinez and Randy Sutton

Main Contacts

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Financial institutions Patrick Bourke
Energy Charles Whitney
Infrastructure, mining and commodities Joanne Emerson Taqi
Transport Harry Theochari
Technology and innovation Sean Murphy
Life sciences and healthcare Huw Evans

Staff Figures

Number of partners (worldwide) : 1,200+
Number of other fee-earners (worldwide) : 3,000+
Total staff : 7,500+

Other

Other offices : Amsterdam
Other offices : Athens
Other offices : Austin
Other offices : Bahrain
Other offices : Bangkok
Other offices : Beijing
Other offices : Bogotá
Other offices : Brisbane
Other offices : Brussels
Other offices : Calgary
Other offices : Canberra
Other offices : Cape Town
Other offices : Caracas
Other offices : Casablanca
Other offices : Dallas
Other offices : Dar es Salaam
Other offices : Denver
Other offices : Durban
Other offices : Frankfurt
Other offices : Hamburg
Other offices : Hong Kong
Other offices : Houston
Other offices : Istanbul
Other offices : Jakarta (in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia)
Other offices : Johannesburg
Other offices : London
Other offices : Los Angeles
Other offices : Luxembourg
Other offices : Melbourne
Other offices : Mexico City
Other offices : Milan
Other offices : Minneapolis
Other offices : Monaco
Other offices : Montréal
Other offices : Moscow
Other offices : Munich
Other offices : New York
Other offices : Ottawa
Other offices : Paris
Other offices : Perth
Other offices : Piraeus
Other offices : Port Moresby
Other offices : Québec
Other offices : Rio de Janeiro
Other offices : Riyadh (in association with Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm)
Other offices : San Antonio
Other offices : San Francisco
Other offices : São Paulo
Other offices : Shanghai
Other offices : Singapore
Other offices : St Louis
Other offices : Sydney
Other offices : Tokyo
Other offices : Toronto
Other offices : Vancouver
Other offices : Warsaw
Other offices : Washington, DC
Other offices : In Africa, it has alliances with firms in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Zimbabwe.