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 has onshore and offshore fund formation capabilities with particular expertise in the real estate funds space and advises some of the leading blue-chip real estate managers. James Stull is 'extremely professional' and his core expertise is in real estate funds and REITs, as well as venture capital funds and private equity funds. Nabil Issa specialises in Shari'ah-compliant funds and has in-depth knowledge of the funds regulatory regime in Saudi Arabia. Jawad Ali also focuses on Shari'ah-compliant real estate funds. Senior associate Macky O’Sullivan is also noted.

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

King & Spalding LLP‘s corporate team ‘add credibility to any deal they undertake‘. The team has an active M&A and private equity practice and showcases a strong presence in Saudi Arabia. Nabil Issa advises a number of Saudi government entities and has expertise across the healthcare, education, fintech, food and beverage sectors. Simon Rahimzada is active in cross-border M&A, joint ventures and corporate structuring in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Key names to note in the firm’s venture capital offering include James Stull and Macky O’Sullivan.

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 2

Abu Dhabi-based Tim Burbury heads King & Spalding LLP‘s non-contentious construction offering and has extensive experience advising on high-value construction projects. Burbury’s expertise also covers the construction of ‘mega’ projects. Randall Walker and Patrick McPherson are also based in Abu Dhabi and both have a broad construction, energy and infrastructure disputes practice. The team welcomed senior associate James Clark, who joined in May 2021 from Clifford Chance. Since publication, Dan Feldman joined the firm.

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP's team is 'proactive, responsive and very commercial'. Moustafa Said is 'a real expert' in the field of hotels and branded residence developments; he has experience advising on a variety of corporate sale-and-leaseback transactions. Managing partner Jawad Ali is another key name. Osama Audi left the firm.

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

King & Spalding LLP's trial and global disputes practice in Dubai includes Patrick McPherson, who focuses on disputes relating to construction, energy and infrastructure projects. Randall Walker has a similar contentious practice and specialises in disputes in the oil and gas sector. Ben Williams is another key individual to mention and has a broad commercial disputes practice that covers litigation, arbitration and ADR. Senior associate Guillaume Hess is also noted and is based in Abu Dhabi.

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

King & Spalding LLP has in-depth expertise advising sponsors and lenders on utilities, infrastructure, petrochemicals and PPP projects. Construction and infrastructure expert Tim Burbury has a particular interest in clean energy projects. Robin Bayley focuses on project finance and has experience advising clients in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Randall Walker is the go-to contact for energy-related commercial disputes. Since publication, Dan Feldman joined the firm.

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

King & Spalding LLP advises on both conventional and Shariah compliant financings across real estate finance, acquisitions, funds, asset finance and project finance. Managing partner Jawad Ali has extensive experience developing and implementing Shariah compliant financing and investments. Nabil Issa has a strong cross-border M&A, private equity and finance practice. Other key names to note include Michael Rainey and Asal Saghari.

United Arab Emirates > Oil, gas and natural resources

Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance

At King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar, the banking practice has notable strength in financings, particularly shari’ah-compliant, acting for both Saudi Arabian and foreign lenders and borrowers. Zaid Al-Farisi jointly manages the team with Jawad Ali, handling Islamic finance matters and restructuring work which has been an area of growth. Nabil Issa who splits his time between Riyadh and Dubai is well-versed in Shariah-compliant investment funds work, whilst Michael Rainey, also in Dubai is the name for GCC wide investment matters. Senior counsel Mohammed Alammar is also a key name to note.

Saudi Arabia > Real estate and construction

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar has a broad real estate and construction practice that handles a mix of contentious and non-contentious matters. Moustafa Said focuses on corporate sale and leaseback transactions across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Other key contacts include the co-head of the global construction practice Tim Burbury in Abu Dhabi who specialises in energy and utilities, and Dubai-based Sayf Shuqair who focuses on structuring real estate investments.

Saudi Arabia > Capital markets

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar is singled out for its reputation handling complex Islamic financing deals and structuring sukuk transactions, particularly in highly regulated sectors including healthcare; it also has notable experience advising on the formation and listing of REITS. Jawad Ali leads the team from Dubai and handles a significant amount of sukuk and mudaraba transactions in the Saudi market; James Stull advises on security toke offerings and sukuk, as does Nabil Issa.

Saudi Arabia > Commercial, corporate and M&A

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar has a reputable corporate practice that handles a steady stream of private equity deals and M&A transactions, including shariah-compliant funds work. Areas of strength remain in the healthcare, infrastructure, oil and gas, and hospitality sectors. Energy and infrastructure transactions have been a particular area of activity for the team with key contacts including Nabil Issa and practice head Jawad Ali. International work is handled seamlessly via the firm’s regional presence in the UAE. Abu Dhabi-based Simon Rahimzada is recommended for cross-border investment work.

Saudi Arabia > Projects and energy

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar has expertise advising on major utilities, infrastructure and petrochemicals projects across the Middle East, and is highlighted for its representation of Japanese and Korean clients. Led by Tim Burbury in Abu Dhabi, the group also advises on large-scale Saudi and Emirati PPPs and solar projects. Robin Bayley handles project financing transactions.