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

AL FATTAN CURRENCY HOUSE, TOWER 2, LEVEL 24
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE
PO BOX 506547, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad Ali; James Stull; Nabil Issa
Other key lawyers:
Macky O’Sullivan; Sayf Shuqair
Testimonials
‘The team is well aware of CMA regulations. People are highly skillful and they present their deliverables on time’
‘Professionalism and delivering on deadline. There is a value in their services and there is always a full engagement of the assigned team on the transaction.’
‘They go the extra mile for any project.’
‘Very professional and reliable.’
‘Knowledge of local laws and creativity in bringing international concepts and structures in a manner consistent with local laws.’
‘Technical knowledge coupled with real-life application.’
‘King & Spalding are our go-to lawyers for anything related to securities (and the marketing and offering thereof) in Saudi Arabia.’
‘James Stull and Sayf Shuqair. They are incredibly generous with their time, flexible in relation to fees and very responsive. James has a wealth of experience in advising on how the CMA operates. Sayf, an Arabic speaker, who used to be based in Saudi Arabia, is able to liaise directly with the CMA.’
Key clients
Riyad Capital
Ashmore Investment Management Limited
Oman Investment Authority
Kuwait Finance House / KFH Capital
Emirates NBD Bank / Emirates NBD Capital
Franklin Templeton
Social Development Bank
Saudi Aramco Investment Management Company (SAIMCO)
KAMCO Invest
International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
Alkhabeer Capital
Waha Capital
ADS Securities LLC
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)
Al Rajhi Capital
Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO) / SEDCO Capital
Al Mal Capital
Derayah Financial
SHUAA Capital
Greenstone Equity Partners
Mizuho Gulf Capital Partners
National Bonds Corporation
Saudi Fransi Capital
Global Ventures
Work highlights
- Advising Global Ventures on the establishment of Global Ventures II LP, its second flagship venture capital fund, which invests in opportunities in the MENA region.
- Represented Alkhabeer Capital in listing the units of the Alkhabeer Diversified Income Traded Fund on the main market of the Saudi Stock Exchange after successfully completing an IPO on 24 December 2020 raising 472.8 million Saudi Riyals (~$126m).
- Advising Saudi Fransi Capital to establish a Shari’ah compliant fund domiciled in Saudi Arabia which will invest in the development and operation of data centres in Saudi Arabia.
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad Ali
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Fast, responsive and experts in all the fields we contact them for.’
‘Simon Rahimzada in particular is a standout partner at K&S, he has been supporting me for the past 5 years and has always delivered.’
‘The matters are generally partner led which differentiates K&S Middle East from their competitors.’
‘The firm is able to involve lawyers with extensive Saudi and UAE law experience and industry experts in one team.’
‘They are able to quickly involve lawyers outside of the region in a seamless manner.’
‘The firm is able to come up with creative yet practical solutions.’
‘The team members are responsive, professional, practice and sector experts.’
‘They are extensively strong and truly capable and innovative in breaking and solving complex matters, and sometimes deal with unprecedented matters in the region.’
Key clients
Saudi Aramco Investment Management Company (SAIMCO)
Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company (ADQ)
Cerberus
Mizuho Gulf Capital Partners Ltd
Gulf Investment Corporation
Sadara Chemical
Mubadala Investment Company
Gulf Finance House
Ashmore Investments
eWTP Arabia
Gulf Capital PJSC
Riyad Capital
Western Union
Jabal Omar Development Company
Jeddah Economic Company
Arabian Company for Water and Power Development (ACWA Holding)
Arcapita
Small and Medium Enterprises Authority (SME Authority)
MASIC (Mohamed I. AlSubaei & Sons Investment Company)
Wa’ed Ventures (Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Center)
Al Muhaidib
Wadi Makkah
Aramex PJSC
Alarabi
Riyad TAQNIA Fund
Global Ventures Ltd
Aramis Partners
Samsung
Bulldozer Group
Social Development Bank
Saudi Jordanian Investment Fund
Christian Dior
Vision Invest
Bee’ah UAE and Bee’ah Energy KSA
Work highlights
- Advising Cerberus on its co-investment with Olive Rock Partners, for their joint acquisition of shares in United Eastern Medical Services.
- Advised Gateway Fund I, L.P., acting through its general partner, Gateway Partners Limited, on acquiring 42.5532% of all the Tim Hortons franchises across the GCC.
- Advised ADQ on completing an approximately $72m Series F investment in Think & Learn Private Limited (commonly known as BYJU’S).
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.Practice head(s):
Tim Burbury
Other key lawyers:
Timm Smith; Guillaume Hess; Patrick McPherson; Randall Walker; Dan Feldman
Testimonials
‘We have a team with a cross section of experience, with very good quality control processes in place. Responsiveness is exceptional. The team also recognises that the executive management team from the client is not always available and knows when to wait vs when to push to resolve a matter which is extremely important.’
‘The individuals are responsive, they work out what is important from the discussion and come back with a result ready for application.’
Key clients
NEOM
Vision Invest
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company
Veolia
JERA
Mubadala Investment Company
ENGIE
Electricity de France (EDF)
Sadara Chemical Company
Abu Dhabi Investment Office
Miral
ADQ
Misk Foundation
OMV
Work highlights
- Advising Masdar in its role as the local shareholder on all aspects of the development and financing of the 2GW Al Dhafra solar PV project in Abu Dhabi.
- Advising the consortium of power developers, Masdar, Vision Invest, ENGIE, in relation to the EPC contract and associated project agreements with PowerChina for 14 renewable energy plants in one sitting.
- Advised the EDF and JERA consortium on its bid for the 2.4 GW Fujairah 3 IPP in the UAE.
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad Ali; Moustafa Said
Testimonials
‘Generally the service is great because Moustafa Said understands the kind of service needed.’
‘Moustafa Said is a real expert in his field. He understands the value of having a strong partner led service..’
‘Proactive, responsive and very commercial legal advice.’
‘Moustafa Said is very user friendly and has an excellent knowledge of the GCC market.’
‘The lawyers are well versed and very prompt in attending to us as a client. They are very client friendly & flexible.’
‘Moustafa Said is a very learned lawyer in all aspects of real estate laws and regulations. One think I have noticed in him is his promptness in attending to client issues and flexibility to adapt to client requirements. If there is an urgent legal requirement which needs to be attended, he attends to it irrespective of holidays or after work hours.’
Key clients
Roshn Real Estate
VHM Limited
Riyad Capital (Riyadh)
Al Rajhi Capital
Midad
Sutton Lane
Diyaar Al Salheya
Seven Tides
Knowledge Economic City
Arcapita
NBK Capital Partners
Shapoorji Pallonji
Ashmore Investment
Al Habib Investment Group
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)
Mulkiya Capital
Work highlights
- Advising Arada Developments on the development and sale of a new villa development in Sharjah called Masaar.
- Advising Seven Tides on various sale and purchase agreements for Anantara Palm Jumeirah and Dukes Oceana, including advising on innovative guaranteed fixed return schemes and delayed payment plan sale and purchase agreements.
- Acting for Al Mal Capital in a dispute with one of its tenants in connection with a sale-and-leaseback transaction.
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.Practice head(s):
Edward Kehoe
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘KS has a very strong and sound team on disputes. They are able to appreciate the complexities, the clients’ mindsets and limitations and are always open to discussions.‘
‘Randall Walker is an exceptionally sound disputes lawyer. He is always dependable, accessible and bright. I have found him always willing to extend support and create stepping stones to get the transactions through.’
Key clients
Riyad Bank
Saudi Aramco
Riyad Capital (Riyadh)
Hexagon Holdings (Cayman) Limited
Sadara Chemical Company
Western Union
OMV
Work highlights
- Acting for Hexagon in an AED claim against the Dubai International Finance Centre (the “DIFC”) for breaches of a joint venture agreement concerning a building development project within the DIFC.
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.Practice head(s):
Tim Burbury
Other key lawyers:
Robin Bayley; Randall Walker; Evelina Petraviciute; Dan Feldman
Key clients
NEOM
Mubadala Investment Company
ENGIE
Electricity de France (EDF)
Sadara Chemical Company
Vision Invest
Veolia
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company
JERA
Miahona
Misk Foundation
ADQ
Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)
Miral
Work highlights
- Advising Masdar in its role as the local shareholder on all aspects of the development and financing of the 2GW Al Dhafra solar PV project in Abu Dhabi.
- Advising the consortium of power developers, Masdar, Vision Invest, ENGIE, on the concession, EPC and O&M and associated project finance agreements with PowerChina for 14 renewable energy plants in one sitting.
- Advised the EDF and JERA consortium on its bid for the 2.4 GW Fujairah 3 IPP in the UAE.
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad Ali; Michael Rainey; Andrew M. Metcalf
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is deeply experienced and well connected across the GCC region, which brings real-world solutions to each situation.’
‘The individuals have a good sense the cultural norms which makes cross border transactions easy and efficient.’
Key clients
The Saudi National Bank
Arab National Bank
The Saudi British Bank (SABB)
Banque Saudi Fransi
Riyad Bank
Gulf International Bank
JPMorgan
Emirates NBD Bank
Credit Suisse
SAIMCO
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
NBK Capital Partners
KFH Capital Investment Company
Dimah Capital Investment Company
Riyad Capital
Soor Capital
Samba Capital
Gulf Capital
GFH Financial Group
Qatar First Bank
Derayah Capital
Global Gate Capital
Cerberus Capital
Franklin Templeton
The Northern Trust Corporation
KAMCO Investment (DIFC) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Windcrest Holdings on structuring the acquisition of a private Swiss fund, among other matters.
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad I. Ali; Zaid Al-Farisi
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
The Saudi National Bank
Arab National Bank
The Saudi British Bank (SABB)
Banque Saudi Fransi
Riyad Bank
Gulf International Bank
JPMorgan
Emirates NBD Bank
Credit Suisse
SAIMCO
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
Work highlights
- Advising two major Saudi banks on Shari’ah-compliant facilities extended to construct a tower in King Abdullah Financial District.
- Advising a Saudi borrower on the restructuring of SAR multi-billion Shari’ah-compliant construction facilities.
- Advising a Saudi borrower in connection with the restructuring and refinancing of an approximately SAR 1.5 billion facility provided by a major Saudi bank.
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.Practice head(s):
Tim M. Burbury; Moustafa Said
Other key lawyers:
Randall Walker; Patrick McPherson; Sayf Shuqair
Key clients
NEOM
Vision Invest
Sadara Chemical Company
Misk Foundation
Roshn Real Estate
Riyad Capital (Riyadh)
Al Rajhi Capital
Midad
Sutton Lane
Diyaar Al Salheya
Knowledge Economic City
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)
Work highlights
- Representing NEOM on all of its construction program since inception. This includes 50 drafting and negotiating 100s of construction contracts, This matter is important because at $500bn, this is by far the largest construction project ever to be developed.
- Advising Riyad Capital, on behalf of its parent entity Riyad Bank, on the acquisition from King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD) of a commercial office building the KAFD District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Advised Masdar and EDF on the 400MW Dumat Al Jandal wind IPP in Saudi Arabia.
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad Ali
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Riyad Capital
Jadwa Investment Company
Islamic Development Bank
Al Bilad Capital
Al Rajhi Capital
SEDCO Capital
Ashmore Investments Saudi Arabia
Franklin Templeton
Alkhabeer Capital
NMG
Work highlights
- Advised Alkhabeer Capital on the listing of the units of the Alkhabeer Diversified Income Traded Fund on the main market of the Saudi Stock Exchange after successfully completing an IPO on 24 December 2020 raising 472.8 million Saudi Riyals.
- Acting for NMG, a U.S. company, in relation to acquisition of a stake in a joint venture with Gulf Medical in Jeddah.
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.Practice head(s):
Jawad Ali
Other key lawyers:
Nabil Issa; Simon Rahimzada; Mohammed Al-Ammar
Testimonials
‘Nabil Issa is always available to follow up on new and old business matters.’
‘The individual lawyers are very forward-leaning in how they approach the challenges that are brought to them and interface with each other in the overall K&S Law Firm to get the best results possible.’
‘Fast, responsive and experts in all the fields we contact them for. They add credibility in any deal they undertake (M&A and fund formation).’
‘The relationship that K&S teams maintains is second to none. Dependable, credible and true advisors.’
‘The matters are generally partner-led which distinct K&S Middle East from their competitors. The firm is able to involve lawyers with extensive Saudi and UAE law experience and industry experts in one team. Also, they are able to quickly involve lawyers outside of the region in a seamless manner. The Firm is able to come up with creative yet practical solutions.’
‘We are interacting with Nabil Issa, Simon Rahimzada and Mohammed Al-Ammar. The team members are responsive, professional, practice and sector experts. They are extensively strong and truly capable and innovative in breaking and solving complex matters, and sometimes deal with unprecedented matters in the region.’
Key clients
Saudi Aramco Investment Management Company (SAIMCO)
Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company (ADQ)
Cerberus
Mizuho Gulf Capital Partners Ltd
Gulf Investment Corporation
Sadara Chemical
Mubadala Investment Company
Gulf Finance House
Ashmore Investments
eWTP Arabia
Gulf Capital PJSC
Riyad Capital
Western Union
Jabal Omar Development Company
Jeddah Economic Company
Arabian Company for Water and Power Development (ACWA Holding)
Arcapita
Small and Medium Enterprises Authority (SME Authority)
Bee’ah UAE and Bee’ah Energy KSA – leading environmental and waste management company
Work highlights
- Advised Western Union on a $200m acquisition of STC Pay, a digital payments entity that is in the process of becoming the first Saudi Arabian digital bank.
- Advised Saudi Jordanian Investment Fund (SJIF) on completing a $15m Series-B investment into OpenSooq.com Limited.
- Advised Gateway Fund I, L.P., acting through its general partner, Gateway Partners Limited, to acquire 42.5532% of all the Tim Hortons franchises across the GCC.
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.Practice head(s):
Tim Burbury
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
NEOM
Mubadala Investment Company
ENGIE
Electricity de France (EDF)
Sadara Chemical Company (joint venture of Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical)
Vision Invest
Veolia
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar
JERA
Miahona
Misk Foundatio
ADQ
Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)
Miral
Work highlights
- Advised NEOM on all of its construction program since inception.
- Advised the consortium of power developers in relation to the Concession, EPC and O&M and associated project finance agreements with PowerChina for 14 renewable energy plants in one sitting.
- Advised Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK) on the procurement on a BOT basis of a district cooling provider for the 4.77 million square metre MiSK City Development.
King & Spalding LLP > Firm Profile
The firm: Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,200 lawyers in 23 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm also represents hundreds of clients with new ventures and mid-sized companies in emerging industries.
The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognised for the results it obtains, its uncompromising commitment to quality and its dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Middle East and Islamic finance and investment | |||
Projects and infrastructure | |||
Intellectual property | |||
Patent, trademark and copyright litigation | |||
International arbitration and litigation | |||
Mergers and acquisitions | |||
Financial restructuring | |||
Global disputes | |||
Government investigations |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1200+ firmwideLanguages
Arabic Chinese English Farsi French German Hebrew Hindi Italian Japanese Korean Mandarin Portuguese Punjabi Russian Sindhi Spanish Swedish TaiwaneseOther
Contact : Jawad Ali (office managing partner) Other offices : Abu Dhabi Other offices : Atlanta Other offices : Austin Other offices : Charlotte Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : Geneva Other offices : Houston Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Moscow Other offices : New York Other offices : Paris Other offices : Riyadh* Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Silicon Valley Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Tokyo Other offices : Washington, DC Other offices : Chicago Other offices : Brussels Other offices : Northern VirginiaLegal Briefings
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