Akin > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Akin Offices
ICD BROOKFIELD PLACE
LEVEL 10, AL MUSTAQBAL STREET
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE
United Arab Emirates
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Akin > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations Tier 1
Akin has a first-class international trade and internal investigations practice, covering securities fraud, accounting irregularities, price-fixing, sanctions, export control violations, money laundering, and insider trading-related mandates. Mahmoud Fadlallah has significant experience advising on global corporate investigations, and co-heads the team alongside Natasha Kohne, who specialises in international cybersecurity and data breach investigations. Lauren Talerman, who was promoted to the partnership in 2024, focuses on compliance matters relating to export controls, economic sanctions and the FCPA, whilst Jean-Pierre Denour is noted for his experience handling white-collar crime investigations and regulatory matters before US agencies.Practice head(s):
Mahmoud Fadlallah; Natasha Kohne
Other key lawyers:
Lauren Talerman; Jean-Pierre Denour; Jasper Helder; Chiara Klaui
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic, responsive and commercial.’
‘Mahmoud Fadlallah is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated. A pleasure to work with.’
‘Mahmoud Fadlallah gives practical advice, understands his clients, and is business-focused. He manages to provide practical and commercial advice rather than academic review, and makes a technical subject easy to translate to the business.’
‘Jean-Pierre Denour has a great turnaround time.’
‘Jasper Helder has in-depth knowledge of EU sanctions and trade controls, and good insights to the present environment. Chiara Klaui has good UK knowledge, and clear and succinct feedback.’
‘A brilliant blend of resources around the world which can provide local and international expertise. The team are specialists in their own jurisdictions but work together seamlessly.’
‘Mahmoud Fadhullah has a great grasp of the Middle East and its specifics, but also an ability to understand a global client’s needs beyond borders.’
‘Attentive client service; full end-to-end approach.’
United Arab Emirates > Capital markets Tier 3
Akin’s capital markets team is led by Rizwan Kanji, who specialises in the areas of debt capital markets and securities issuances. Beyond that, the team is also adept in equity capital markets relating to both conventional and Islamic financing-compliant matters. Counsel Hamad Afzal is noted for his expertise in debt capital markets and structured finance transactions, whilst Nicola Minervini focuses on regulatory capital transactions and bond issuances.Practice head(s):
Rizwan Kanji
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Kuveyt Türk Katilim Bankasi A.S
Ad-Hoc Committee of Certificate holders of Emirates REIT
Capital Investments (DIFC) Ltd
Emirates NBD Capital
Al Bilad Capital
Rothschild & Co
Work highlights
- Advised Kuveyt Türk Katilim Bankasi A.S., one of the leading Turkish participation banks majority-owned by Kuwait Finance House, on the landmark issuance of US$350 million fixed-rate resettable sustainability tier 2 certificates due 2031, listed on the Irish Stock Exchange plc (Euronext Dublin).
- Advised Capital Investments (DIFC) Ltd. and Capital Investments and Brokerage Company/Jordan Ltd. as the sole structuring agent and manager, respectively, in respect of Capital Bank of Jordan’s inaugural $100 million Reg S perpetual Basel III-compliant additional tier 1 capital securities offering.
- Advising the Ad-Hoc Committee of sukuk holders on US$400 million Trust Certificates issued by Emirates REIT, with respect to a liability management exercise and restructuring of the Trust Certificates, listed on the Irish Stock Exchange plc (Euronext Dublin).
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Akin has a dedicated corporate practice, with the team advising a number of sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and investors. It is noted for its strength in sovereign investment-related mandates, and is particularly active in the TMT, leisure and tourism, and defence sectors. Wael Jabsheh leads the group and has extensive experience in the region advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and private equity matters. Associate Mazen Baddar has broad corporate and commercial transactional expertise.Practice head(s):
Wael Jabsheh
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is highly professional with in-depth knowledge in the subject matters, and delivers on time with high quality.’
‘The team understands the client’s business, thinks strategically, and addresses issues from a practical point of view.’
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation
Akin > Firm Profile
THE FIRM
Akin is a global law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors who pride themselves on dedication to their clients and their communities. With 18 offices worldwide, the firm is renowned for numerous market-leading practices; its strengths in complex transactions and restructurings, high-stakes litigation, and public policy and regulatory matters; and its unyielding pro bono commitment.
Akin partners with clients from both established industries and cutting-edge markets to deliver creative solutions to business-critical issues, helping them seize opportunities and anticipate challenges. Driven by the firm’s forward-thinking leadership, Akin has built a strong culture of innovation and collaboration as well as a talented and diverse workforce committed to the success of its clients and each other.
The firm is intentional about fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees are supported and given the tools to succeed. Akin is focused on recruiting and nurturing the next generation of exceptional legal talent and is proud that its recruitment and professional development efforts are recognised as among the best in the industry.
PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK
Services:
- Antitrust/Competition
- Corporate & Finance
- Disputes & Investigations
- Financial Restructuring
- Intellectual Property
- International Trade
- Investment Management
- Labor & Employment
- Lobbying & Public Policy
- Pro Bono
- Regulatory
- Tax
INTERNATIONAL
With more than a third of its offices outside the United States, Akin has a truly global reach. The firm’s strategy is focused on growing practices that complement core strengths of the firm, which has resulted in the growth of fully integrated offices advising clients at the top of the market. Akin lawyers are qualified in numerous jurisdictions around the world and maintain strong relationships with leading local law firms.
The firm has offices in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Boston, Dallas, Dubai, Fort Worth, Geneva, Hong Kong, Houston, Irvine, London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Francisco, Singapore and Washington, DC.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is the practising name of Akin Gump LLP. Akin Gump LLP is a New York limited liability partnership and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 267321
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Dispute resolution, arbitration and international litigation | Natasha Kohne | ||
Commercial, corporate and M&A | Wael Jabsheh | ||
TMT | Wael Jabsheh | ||
International Trade | Mahmoud Fadlallah | ||
Sanctions and Export Controls | Mahmoud Fadlallah | ||
Compliance and Investigations | Mahmoud Fadlallah | ||
Capital Markets | Rizwan Kanji | ||
Debt capital markets | Rizwan Kanji | ||
Banking and Finance | Rizwan Kanji | ||
Islamic finance | Rizwan Kanji | ||
Energy and infrastructure | Julian Nichol | ||
Iraq | Julian Nichol | ||
Construction | Hamish Lal | ||
Dispute resolution, arbitration and international litigation | Hamish Lal |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Jean-Pierre Denour | View Profile | ||
Mr Mahmoud (Mac) Fadlallah | Mahmoud (Mac) Baki Fadlallah is the partner in charge of Akin’s Dubai… | View Profile | |
Mr Mahmoud (Mac) Fadlallah | Mahmoud (Mac) Baki Fadlallah is the partner in charge of Akin’s Dubai… | View Profile | |
Rizwan Kanji | Rizwan Kanji’s practice focuses on debt capital markets, finance and securitizations using… | View Profile | |
Mr Graham Lovett | Graham has extensive, market-leading commercial litigation and international arbitration experience covering a… | View Profile | |
Nicola Minervini | View Profile | ||
Lauren Talerman | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Firmwide lawyers and advisors : 900+Languages
Arabic English French Spanish Italian Korean RussianOther
Other offices : Abu Dhabi Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Boston Other offices : Dallas Other offices : Fort Worth Other offices : Geneva Other offices : Hartford Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Houston Other offices : Irvine Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : New York Other offices : Philadelphia Other offices : San Antonio Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Washington DC- Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Capital markets
- Commercial, corporate and M&A