Baker & McKenzie Limited > Manama, Bahrain > Firm Profile

Baker & McKenzie Limited Offices

Baker & McKenzie Limited
18TH FLOOR, WEST TOWER, BAHRAIN FINANCIAL HARBOUR
PO BOX 11981
MANAMA
Bahrain
Visit website 973 17 102 001

Baker & McKenzie Limited > The Legal 500 Rankings

Bahrain > Banking and finance (including Islamic finance) Tier 1

Baker & McKenzie Limited is noted for proficiency across the full spectrum of finance-related matters, including real estate and construction financing for major local and international clients in various jurisdictions. Practice head Ian Siddell holds extensive experience in Islamic finance-related matters and major and complex project financing mandates. He is ably assisted by the finance expertise of Fatima Alhasan, whose experience extends to both Islamic and financial banking, along with financial restructuring matters. Delwar Hossain specialises in Islamic finance, and is particularly active in project finance matters requiring expertise in Saudi Arabian law. In addition, Soheir Elbanna and Victoria Long are both highly active members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Ian Siddell

Other key lawyers:

Fatima Alhasan; Delwar Hossain; Soheir Elbanna; Victoria Long

Testimonials

‘The Islamic finance team works efficiently together and is under good leadership.’

‘The team is known for their banking and finance practice in the region.’

‘As a Bahraini national, Partner Fatima Alhassan is uniquely positioned to deal with the specificities and nuances of the local laws and local culture when advising on international transactions.’

Key clients

The Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C. (c) (nogaholding)

Bahrain National Gas Company (B.S.C.)

ABC Islamic Bank (E.C.)

Gulf International Bank B.S.C

Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba)

Bahrain Islamic Bank B.S.C

Arab Bank plc

Ahli United Bank B.S.C

The Saudi National Commercial Bank (Bahrain)

Work highlights

  • Advised Gulf International Bank B.S.C on a fully underwritten $240m syndicated loan facility made available to Noon AD Holdings Ltd and Noon Investment Company CJSC for the acquisition of all the issued share capital of Namshi Holdings Limited from Emaar.
  • Advised Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO), a Bahrain-based aluminum facility, on its debt restructuring to creditors under the reorganisation plan approved by Kingdom of Bahrain Courts.
  • Advised several banks on BBK’s successful closure of a $250m 2-year club loan facility which will be used for general funding purposes.

Bahrain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Baker & McKenzie Limited‘s corporate and commercial department has a strong track record in the financial and real estate industries, advising some of the largest actors in the local market, along with various multinationals, in M&A, restructuring, insolvency, and joint ventures. Praised by clients as an ‘excellent lawyer’, Fatima Alhasan covers the full range of transactions, private equity and capital markets matters as well as advice on investment funds, and co-heads the team alongside David Monnier, both splitting their time between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Practice head(s):

Fatima Alhasan; David Monnier

Testimonials

‘The Firm has international clients and often assists with their corporate work.’

‘Partner Fatima Alhassan is an excellent lawyer. ’

Key clients

Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Co

Ministry of Industry and Commerce

Gulf International Bank B.S.C

Work highlights

  • Represented GARMCO and MOIC in all stages of the US International Trade Commission and the US Department of Commerce anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations relating to Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company, including in relation to the annual review process.
  • Advised Mumtalakat, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, in relation to establishing a joint venture company in Bahrain with Mubadala Health, a subsidiary of Mubadala, the sovereign wealth fund of the UAE, for the provision of long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation services.
  • Acted as legal counsel to Gulf International Bank B.S.C in relation to the fully underwritten $240m syndicated loan facility made available to Noon AD Holdings Ltd and Noon Investment Company CJSC for the acquisition of all the issued share capital of Namshi Holdings Limited from the UAE’s largest publicly traded developer, Emaar.

Bahrain > Projects and energy Tier 1

Baker & McKenzie Limited‘s projects and energy department is a port of call for matters involving project financing in Bahrain, advising leading local and regional banks on various multijurisdictional projects with particular experience in the water and petrochemical industries. Ian Siddell heads the team, and is a key contact for projects with Islamic finance elements. Fatima Alhasan is broadly experienced in both conventional and Islamic project financing, and is often active in project-related transactions, along with Delwar Hossain.

Practice head(s):

Ian Siddell

Other key lawyers:

Fatima Alhasan; Delwar Hossain; Soheir Elbanna; Victoria Long

Key clients

The Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C. (c) (nogaholding)

Bahrain National Gas Company (B.S.C.)

ABC Islamic Bank (E.C.)

Gulf International Bank B.S.C

Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba)

Bahrain Islamic Bank B.S.C

Arab Bank plc

Ahli United Bank B.S.C

The Saudi National Commercial Bank (Bahrain)

Work highlights

  • Acted for an international bank, through its Bahrain based entity, in relation to a  $61m equity bridge murabaha facility granted to ACWA Power’s subsidiary in Uzbekistan, as guaranteed by ACWA Power.
  • Advised Bank ABC on an €24.9m SACE-backed and sustainability-linked term loan.

Bahrain > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Baker & McKenzie Limited‘s real estate and construction department offers both transactional and regulatory advice with the team's areas of expertise encompassing developments, leaseholds, acquisitions, and licensing for real estate and hotel clients. Khaled Zowayed advises both Bahraini and regional GCC clients and co-heads the team with Gavin Witcombe, who is extensively experienced in construction-related matters. Clients frequently retain Ismaeel Kazerooni in matters involving commercial tourism and hotel development, an area in which Salman AlAbdulla is also highly active.

Practice head(s):

Khaled Zowayed; Gavin Witcombe

Other key lawyers:

Ismaeel Kazerooni ; Salman AlAbdulla

Key clients

Bahrain Real Estate Investment (Edamah)

Arcapita

Financial District Development Company / Bahrain Financial Harbour

Four Seasons

Al Dar

GFH Real Estate

Hana Investment WLL

Olayan Saudi Holding Company

Al Sahel Resort (Jumeirah) Company

Bilaj Al Jazayer Real Estate Development Company

Work highlights

Saudi Arabia > Commercial, corporate and M&A

Baker McKenzie Law Firm delivers a comprehensive corporate and commercial offering in Saudi Arabia, covering M&A, joint ventures, and restructurings, underpinned by strong regulatory expertise. The team’s capabilities in anti-trust and competition work is highly sought out by both Saudi Arabian and regional corporates active across a variety of sectors, and the firm has established contacts with leading government-backed entities. Karim Nassar and Zahi Younes co-lead the practice and advise on domestic and cross-border transactions. Mohammad Al Rasheed divides his time between Dubai and Riyadh, while David Monnier spearheads the competition practice. Partners, Stephanie Samuell and Marcos Spanos lead on cross border, UAE and KSA M&A transactions. Tamim AlKhudhayri is a key adviser on market entry and commercial agreements, and Haya Masoud is another name of note. Basel Barakat departed the firm in January 2024.  

Practice head(s):

Karim Nassar; Zahi Younes

Other key lawyers:

Mohammad Al Rasheed; David Monnier; Stephanie Samuell; Marcos Spanos; Tamim AlKhudhayri; Haya Massoud

Testimonials

‘Very knowledgeable in Saudi Arabian law. The team provides practical solutions.’

‘Zahi Younes is always supportive and dedicates the necessary time to support the rest of the team and the client. Tamim AlKhudhayri provided excellent support during our matter, with prompt replies and follow ups.’

‘Vast knowledge and timely delivery of requirements.’

‘The firm’s close collaboration with the regulators allows for deeper insights and better informed decisions.’

Key clients

Public Investment Fund

Olayan Financing Company

Allianz SE

Baxter

International Schools Partnership

Tanmiah Food Company

Middle East Paper Company

Unilabs

Jadwa Investment

Sika AG

Lucid Motors

Work highlights

  • Advised the Olayan Group on the acquisition of a 24.5 percent stake in ICD Brookfield Place, the region’s premier lifestyle and business location within the Dubai International Financial Centre.
  • Advising Tanmiah’s Desert Hills Veterinary Services Company Limited on their joint venture with European poultry meat producer MHP in Saudi Arabia.
  • Advised on Allianz SE’s sale of its entire indirect majority interest in Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Co. to Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company

Baker & McKenzie Limited > Firm Profile

Please visit https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/ to know more about our Firm.

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Fatima Alhasan photo Ms Fatima Alhasan Fatima is a partner in the Banking & Finance Practice Group of… View Profile
Delwar Hossain photo Mr Delwar Hossain Delwar Hossain is a partner in the Firm’s Global Banking & Finance… View Profile
Khaled Zowayed photo Mr Khaled Zowayed Khaled is a Partner and heads the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian real… View Profile


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