Baker McKenzie LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

Baker McKenzie LLP Offices

Baker McKenzie LLP
PO BOX 507176
United Arab Emirates
Visit website 971 4 542 1900

Baker McKenzie LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP has an active corporate and commercial practice, and is particularly well regarded in the consumer goods and retail transactions space. The group is co-led by Omar Momany, who focuses on public and private M&A, corporate restructuring and disputes, and joint ventures, alongside Osama Audi, who advises on M&A, venture capital and investment fund matters. Hani Naja has been engaged in various corporate structuring matters and Adnan Doha has broad corporate expertise across a range of sectors. Abeer Jarrar focuses on equity capital markets and M&A transactions.

Practice head(s):

Omar Momany; Osama Audi

Other key lawyers:

Hani Naja; Adnan Doha; Abeer Jarrar; Borys Dackiw

Testimonials

‘Adnan Doha gave practical, sensible legal advice that took into account key commercial considerations. The drafting was clear, concise and pitched at precisely the right level for this deal.’

‘Strong knowledge coupled with a pragmatic commercial approach.’

Key clients

Ripples Capital Limited

AirCarbon Pte. Ltd.

Mohamad Bin Salman Foundation

Tawal

Spitaleri Group

Saudi Venture Capital

Tanmiah Food Company

Dar Al Takaful PJSC

Wipro Limited

Al Muqarram Group of Companies

Getz Bros & Co (BVI) Inc.

AP Ventures Limited

Gulf Insurance Group K.S.C.P.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

Allegion Investments (UK) Limited

Gulf Marketing Group

Seddiqi Holding

Taaleem Education

Deliveroo

Emaar Group

Emirates National Oil Company

Sayacorp Capital

UltraTech Cement Limited

Esterad Investment Company BSC

Work highlights

  • Advised Ripples Capital Limited, the world’s leading cloud kitchen company, on the USD 415 million Series C venture capital round led by SoftBank, the largest-ever venture financing round in the Middle East and the first investment by SoftBank in a Middle-East based start-up.
  • Advised Gulf Marketing Group, a leading family-owned retail company in the Middle East, on the acquisition of the Geant, Monoprix and Franprix franchise from Dubai Holding and Meraas.
  • Advising Saudi-listed poultry giant, Tanmiah Food Company, on the sale of a significant interest in two businesses to US-listed global proteins giant, Tyson Foods. In addition to the acquisition and joint venture agreements, the transaction included a suite of commercial agreements relating to the businesses.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP handles a wide spectrum of regulatory and corporate investigations, including matters involving fraud, embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, and breaches of international trade sanctions and export controls. It also has experience handling risk assessments and general compliance advisory work. Borys Dackiw heads the group, with specific expertise in compliance-related matters, including anti-bribery policies and programmes. Joanna Matthews-Taylor focuses on employment and immigration-related matters.

Practice head(s):

Borys Dackiw

Other key lawyers:

Joanna Matthews-Taylor

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP has established a reputation throughout the UAE and wider Middle East for its expertise in transactional real estate matters, including some of the largest master community, complex mixed-use and hotel and leisure developments within the region. Keri Watkins leads the team and has excellent knowledge of data centres, hotel management arrangements and landlord and tenant matters.

Practice head(s):

Keri Watkins

Testimonials

‘The depth of knowledge shared by Keri Watkins & her team is updated with industry & domain experience, making mapping out a strategy far easier for clients.’

‘Keri Watkins, who leads the practice, always displays in-depth knowledge and clear communication.’

‘The team feel like they are in-house lawyers and that is what makes them so special.’

‘Keri Watkins is very experienced and takes ownership of key decisions.’

‘The team are always willing to go the extra mile to achieve the outcomes that clients are seeking for their real estate projects.’

‘Keri Watkins always provides reliable, assured and timely advice and support.’

Key clients

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

Emaar Properties (P.J.S.C)

Jebel Ali Free Zone FZE

Jumeirah International

Dubai Real Estate Corporation

Omniyat Middle East Real Estate Developments LLC

GEMS Education

Jones Lang LaSalle

AWR Rostamani

Rooya Holding Investments

DP World FZE

Dubai World

Olayan Group

Nakheel PJSC

Taaleem Holdings PSC

KSK Capital LLC

Hilton

Ghassan Aboud Group

Sunrise Hospitality

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Pygmalion Europe Hotel Fund II GP Sarl

Work highlights

  • Acted for Topaz Property Management Sole Proprietorship LLC on the sale of the shares of Nurai Island Hotel to Aldar Properties PJSC, valued at AED 600M.
  • We advised Taaleem Holdings PSC on the acquisition of the land upon which Jebel Ali School is located on from Emirates REIT.
  • Acted for KSK Capital in the negotiation of a franchise agreement for a hotel in Abu Dhabi.

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP advises on a wide spectrum of domestic and cross-border transactions, acting on both the lender and sponsor side. Key areas of focus include Islamic finance, trade finance, project finance, and acquisition finance. It also advises on financial regulatory projects and banking litigations. Sandeep Puri leads the banking and finance practice, with extensive experience handling both conventional and Islamic finance matters. Mazen Boustany heads the financial regulatory group, specialising in Islamic finance, structured finance, securitisation, and financial restructuring.

Practice head(s):

Sandeep Puri; Mazen Boustany

Other key lawyers:

Sabina Passi

Testimonials

‘You can always rely on their expertise and professional views.’

‘Sandeep Puri is extremely knowledgeable and understands the regional dynamics very well. He is collaborative and understands the importance of closely coordinated efforts.’

‘Sandeep Puri’s feedback is practical and constructive, and despite time challenging requests, he addresses them effectively and in a timely manner.’

Key clients

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

Emirates NBD

Credit Agricole

HSBC

MUFG Bank Ltd

Standard Chartered Bank

Government of Egypt

Agility

Five Holding Limited

Mashreqbank PSC

The National Bank of Egypt S.A.E.

First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC

DBS Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised a large syndicate of banks, led by National Bank of Egypt, on the multi-facility financing of a major beet sugar factory project.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP regularly advises on both regional and cross-border litigation and arbitration matters, and is particularly active in the banking and finance, criminal and white-collar criminal defence, technology and tax spaces. Luka Kristovic-Blazevic leads the practice, specialising in construction disputes.

Practice head(s):

Luka Kristovic-Blazevic

Testimonials

‘The litigation and arbitration team provide excellent, client-focused advice and have a deep knowledge of international arbitration and the local market.’

‘One of the top teams in the UAE for dealing with complex commercial arbitration.’

Key clients

Julius Baer

Dubai Refreshments Company

Olio

SPIMACO

Mashreq Bank

Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority

Majid Al Futtaim

Standard Charter Bank

Ekar and Polymath

United Arab Emirates > Employment Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP is highly influential across all commercial and contentious employment matters, with team head Joanna Matthews-Taylor advising clients throughout the Gulf on cross-border issues concerning employee transfers, workforce reductions, restructures and compliance projects.

Practice head(s):

Joanna Matthews-Taylor

Work highlights

  • Advised a large local public joint stock company operating in the education sector on the acquisition of Jebel Ali School.

United Arab Emirates > TMT Tier 3

Headed by strategic IT project specialist Kellie Blyth, the TMT practice at Baker McKenzie LLP has three primary focuses; namely large digital transformation and technology procurement mandates, data protection compliance and investigations, and advisory work for TMT and HLS companies. Osama Audi focuses on M&A and venture capital work within the technology and e-commerce sectors. Blyth was promoted to partner in July 2022.

Practice head(s):

Kellie Blyth

Other key lawyers:

Osama Audi

Testimonials

‘Always, timely fast and direct in responding, helping us with a clear view on the privacy battle field in the entire region from the KSA, Dubai and Jordan. ’

‘Kellie Blyth provides outstanding support.’

Key clients

Solutions (by STC)

Google (Alphabet Inc.)

Dimensions Healthcare LLC, an IQVIA Company

Banque Misr

National Bank of Egypt

Banque Du Caire

Ripples Capital Limited (Kitopi)

AP Ventures Limited

Muller & Phipps (part of Getz Group)

Work highlights

  • Advised Ripples Capital Limited (Kitopi), the world’s leading cloud kitchen company on a series of transactions leading up to an anticipated IPO on the NASDAQ in 2023 or 2024.
  • Represented Dimensions as a defendant in a USD 380 million DIFC-LCIA arbitration against MedImpact.
  • Acting for a consortium of the largest banks in Egypt as lead investors in a newly established fintech and financial inclusion fund.

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 4

Baker McKenzie LLP’s team is led by Luka Kristovic-Blazevic, a new arrival from White & Case who hones his focus on construction-related international arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Luka Kristovic-Blazevic

Testimonials

‘Responsive, knowledgeable and clear.’

‘The calmness yet air of authority was beneficial in supplier negotiations.’

Baker McKenzie LLP > Firm Profile

Baker McKenzie has been in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for over 40 years and our UAE offices form an integral part of Baker McKenzie’s renowned MENA practice. As with all of our offices, we have deep local roots, offering an integrated global reach to seamlessly assist clients looking to solve complex problems across borders and practice areas.

We have supported our clients on their most sensitive and challenging transactions, helping them to both optimize opportunities and mitigate risk. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 30 lawyers on the ground provides a full-service offering, advising on both onshore, UAE and offshore/free zone matters (including in the DIFC and ADGM), as well as matters of English law.

Our clients include some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, global and regional financial institutions, private equity funds and asset managers, leading conglomerates, family offices and many of the world’s largest companies.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Borys Dackiw (Managing Partner) borys.dackiw@bakermckenzie.com 97145421900


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