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

4TH FLOOR, GATE PRECINCT, BUILDING 3
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE
PO BOX 103747, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
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:
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:
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:
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
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mr Hamed Afzal | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Adjou Ait Ben Idir | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | John Boehm Jr. | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Louisa Lynch | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Mohammed Paracha | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Stothard | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Orlando Vidal | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Deirdre Walker | Partner, Head of Middle East | View Profile |
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.Comparative Guides
-
United States: International Arbitration
Published: November 2022
Authors: Matthew H. Kirtland Katie Connolly Esha Kamboj Eddie Skolnick Ernesto M. Hernández
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to International Arbitration laws and regulations that may occur in United States.
-
Hong Kong: Insurance & Reinsurance
Published: May 2022
Authors: James Parker Etelka Bogardi Graeme Mackay Amy Chung
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Insurance & Reinsurance laws and regulations that may occur in Hong Kong.
- Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending)
- Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation
Firm Rankings
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Construction
- Infrastructure and projects (including project finance)
- Insurance
- Real estate
- Saudi Arabia > Dispute resolution