King & Spalding LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

King & Spalding LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Investment fund formation and management Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP is well regarded for its expertise in handling onshore and offshore fund formation mandates, with the team advising across a broad range of asset sectors. Managing partner Nabil Issa heads the team from Dubai, and has extensive experience in the region advising on Shariah-compliant funds. James Stull specialises in real estate funds and REITs, venture capital funds, private equity funds, and credit funds. Macky O’Sullivan was recently promoted to partner, and is particularly experienced in private fund mandates. Senior associate Sayf Shuqair is also noted, and focuses on structuring and establishing vehicles used to raise Middle East capital.

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

The corporate, finance and investments group at King & Spalding LLP has broad sector expertise across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including in the energy and infrastructure, food and beverage, and healthcare sectors. Nabil Issa leads the team, and has particular expertise acting for Saudi governmental and quasi-governmental clients. James Stull offers funds and asset management expertise, whilst Macky O’Sullivan, who was recently promoted to partner, is particularly active in the venture capital space. Simon Rahimzada departed to Ashurst LLP in late 2022.

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 2

The construction team at King & Spalding LLP advises clients across the entire project lifecycle. Tim Burbury heads the non-contentious offering, with particular expertise handling giga projects across the wider Middle East region. James Clark specialises in advising developers and lenders on transactional matters and Sam Muir focuses on advising public and private sector clients on infrastructure projects. Dan Feldman, who was previously at Shearman & Sterling LLP, joined the team in early 2023.

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

King & Spalding LLP’s global disputes team is headed by Edward Kehoe from New York, though key practitioners in Dubai include Ben Williams who is noted for his expertise in commercial litigation and arbitration. Senior associate Guillaume Hess focuses on disputes relating to the construction and operation of major projects and Kateryna Frolova has experience of energy arbitrations. Samaa Haridi recently joined from Hogan Lovells (United Arab Emirates) LLP.

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

King & Spalding LLP‘s projects practice advises on all aspects of the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects. Tim Burbury heads the team from Abu Dhabi, and specialises in transactional PPPs and utility projects, as well as both renewable and conventional power projects. James Clark focuses on advising developers and lenders on infrastructure, energy, transport, data, and petrochemical projects and Sam Muir is noted for his expertise in clean energy projects, as well as renewable and conventional power projects. Dan Feldman has recently joined the firm from Shearman & Sterling LLP.

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP’s practice focuses on the region’s largest real estate and hospitality developments, with particular expertise advising in respect of title structuring and preparation of governance, management and leasing for master communities and complex mixed-use developments. Nabil Issa heads the team from Dubai, assisted by Moustafa Said, who has particular expertise advising hotel owners and operators. Jawad Ali has retired.

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP has a dedicated Islamic finance department, with the team regularly advising on multi-jurisdictional Shariah-compliant transactions, covering real estate, investment funds, acquisitions, asset finance, and project finance mandates. Nabil Issa and Michael Rainey co-lead the team from Dubai, alongside Andrew Metcalf from New York. Zaid Al-Farisi advises on both Shariah-compliant and conventional financing transactions, whilst Asal Saghari specialises in Shariah-compliant lending and investment structures. Previous managing partner Jawad Ali has recently retired.

United Arab Emirates > Oil, gas and natural resources

Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar is well known in the Saudi Arabian market for its strength in handling a wide range of finance matters, including acquisition, construction, corporate, project and real estate financings. Practice head Zaid Al-Farisi, based in the Riyadh office, has extensive expertise in advising on conventional and Islamic finance issues. Other key practitioners include Nabil Issa, managing partner of the Dubai and Riyadh offices, Mohammed Alammar and Dubai-based Michael Rainey, who acts for lenders and borrowers in Shariah-compliant transactions. Jawad Ali has retired.

Saudi Arabia > Real estate and construction

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar stands out in the real estate and construction market for its strength in advising prominent regional and international developers on the entire lifecycle of a project. Contentious and non-contentious mandates are prominent in the group’s workload. Dubai-based Moustafa Said is a key member, with particular experience advising hotel owners and operators. Construction specialist Tim Burbury leads the non-contentious side, supported by associates James Clark and Sam Muir. Patrick McPherson is the go-to regarding contentious matters, focusing on high value construction disputes throughout the GCC. Sayf Shuqair is another key contact. In December 2022 Randall Walker left the firm.