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
Lauded as one of the ‘best funds teams in the GCC’, King & Spalding LLP‘s full-service practice is highly regarded for its fund formation expertise, advising marquee sponsors and asset managers on diverse structures, including real estate funds, REITs, and venture capital funds. James Stull is active across the full range of the firm’s sponsor-side fund formation matters and is noted for his knowledge of regional securities laws. Nabil Issa is chiefly recognised for his work in Saudi Arabia, with his in-depth understanding of the Capital Market Authority’s regulatory framework making him a sought-after advisor for both domestically domiciled funds and foreign funds. Macky O’Sullivan is valued by clients for his complementary venture capital funds and venture capital transactional practice. Dounia Mansour, who covers a broad range of funds work, has a strong track record in Shari’ah compliant structures. Sayf Shuqair‘s experience in the Kingdom allows him to comprehensively advise on Saudi Arabian fund structures.  ÂPractice head(s):
Nabil Issa; James Stull
Other key lawyers:
Mack O’Sullivan; Dounia Mansour; Sayf Shuqair
Testimonials
‘Work quickly and efficiently.’
‘Nabil Issa and James Stull.’
‘The team is the best funds team in the GCC, they are very knowledgeable and produce the best quality legal fund documents.’
‘James Stull is the most knowledgeable funds lawyer I have worked with in the region, in addition to Dounia Mansour who is helping him on these subjects.’
‘The knowledge base is very deep and people are highly competent and responsive.’
‘Prompt response, genuine solutions to problems and a very practical attitude that can only come from experience.’
‘Very smart, knowledgeable, and responsive.’
Key clients
Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC
SAB Invest
Gemcorp Capital
Antler
Dubai Future District Fund
Iliad Partners
Al Jazira Capital
Artal Capital Company
Franklin Templeton
Oman Investment Authority
Jadwa Investment Company
BSF Capital
GFH Financial Group
Arcapita
Mubadala Capital
Shorooq Partners
Gulf Islamic Investments
Global Ventures
Ashmore Investment Management Limited
Riyad Capital
Alkhabeer Capital
Ninety-One UK Limited
Al Rajhi Capital
Impact46
Waha Capital
KFH Capital
Saudi Venture Capital Company
Social Development Bank
Sidra Capital
Merak Capital
GIB Capital
ADS Investment Solutions
NeoVision Wealth Management
Seedra Investment Company
Derayah Financial
Greenstone Equity Partners
Sadu Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Franklin Templeton on the establishment of two public umbrella protected cell companies in the DIFC. One public fund operates on a conventional basis and the other on a Shari’ah compliant basis.
- Advised Arcapita Capital Company on the establishment of a Saudi Arabian private closed ended real estate fund with a target size of SAR 1.8 billion that will invest in the Saudi Arabian logistics sector – in both income-generating and development assets.
- Advising BSF Capital on establishing a Saudi Arabian domiciled private real estate investment fund that will develop a phase of King Salman Park, one of the proposed giga projects being developed in Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 2
A firm praised for its ‘depth of experience and knowledge in the market‘, King & Spalding LLP‘s ascendant projects team has been strengthened further through the arrival of ex-Ashurst duo Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker in December 2023, who are well-placed to advise on M&A, joint ventures and investments within the energy, natural resources and infrastructure spaces. Named as Global Head of Energy in February 2024, Dan Feldman is active on marquee projects across the region, particularly cutting-edge hydrogen ventures. Co-head Tim Burbury is a key figure for gigaprojects and a go-to for many industry players and state-owned entities, while Brendan Hundt is highlighted for his extensive work on decarbonisation and energy transition mandates.Practice head(s):
Tim Burbury; Dan Feldman
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The firm has depth of experience and knowledge in the market. They also exhibited good contacts in the UAE government which helps move the issues forward.’
‘Dan Feldman and Brendan Hundt are responsive, and they managed to impress with their wealth of knowledge and experience on the subject matter.’
Key clients
City Cool
Consortium of City Cool and ADC Energy
Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
NEOM
Oxagon
ENOWA
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company
Electricity de France
KEPCO
EDF
Work highlights
United Arab Emirates > Oil, gas and natural resources Tier 2
King & Spalding LLP has made a significant impact on the UAE oil and gas market since its recruitment of Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker, alongside the appointment of team head Dan Feldman as the firm’s Global Head of Energy in January 2024. Fraser brings prolific sector knowledge and M&A capabilities and is a key driver behind the firm’s growing body of mining and minerals work, often working closely with Hartsuyker who has a similarly M&A-focused practice. Feldman, together with co-head Tim Burbury, a construction and infrastructure specialist, leads the team on both conventional oil and gas and energy transition ventures, including first-of-its kind hydrogen projects, significant joint ventures, investments, carve-outs, and large-scale co-generation facilities. Brendan Hundt is also notable for his active involvement in hydrogen-related deals.Practice head(s):
Tim Burbury; Dan Feldman
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
NEOM
Everwind Fuels
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Korea Electric Power Company
Work highlights
- Advising ADNOC, the largest company in the UAE, acquiring a significant interest from ExxonMobil in project companies that will produce low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia in ExxonMobil’s Baytown refining and petrochemical complex in Texas.
- Advising NEOM, from project inception to financial close on all aspects of the world’s largest green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility, a $8.4bn megaproject in Oxagon, Saudi Arabia.
- Advising ADNOC on the structuring and implementation of the carve out, consolidation and operationalisation of its previously directly held gas businesses.
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Noted for its ‘dedication, client engagement and sector knowledge‘, King & Spalding LLP works with a broad client base that includes sovereign wealth funds, state-backed entities, family offices and multinational corporates on M&A, private equity, venture capital and joint venture transactions. Team co-lead Nabil Issa has a wide remit across the Gulf and works closely with the firm’s roster of government-related clients. Co-head Simon Fraser, who joined from Ashurst LLP in December 2023, is particularly active on M&A in the oil and gas sector, often working closely with Matt Hartsuyker who made the move with him. James Stull is chiefly recognised for his investment funds practice, while Macky O’Sullivan has a prolific track record on venture capital deals.Practice head(s):
Nabil Issa; Simon Fraser
Other key lawyers:
James Stull; Matt Hartsuyker; Macky O’Sullivan
Testimonials
‘Dedication, client engagement and sector knowledge.’
‘The professional background support from their HQ offices is immediate and responsive. The key K&S partners travel often from the UAE to support the local staffs in the rest of ME Region and they build strong relationships with each of the firm’s clients.’
‘The individual lawyers all have excellent professional experiences to draw on, along with extensive Middle East knowledge.’
‘The level of sheer expertise among the lawyers my company has dealt with far exceeds any other legal practice we have used over the past seven years.’
‘There is always a specialist legal resource that can be called on and we have used K&S lawyers from the UAE through to Singapore and they have collectively added demonstrable fire power to our business and in turn helped us achieve bottom line results that had previously seemed elusive.’
‘Simon Fraser’s M&A expertise is outstanding and his years in the UAE has given him a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience that has had a material and positive impact on my company through our negotiations with counter parties in Dubai and elsewhere.’
Key clients
Al Nahdi
Merak Capital
Loro Piana
RIMOWA
The Giving Movement
Lucid Motors
ADNOC Gas plc
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company P.J.S.C.
Access USA Shipping, LLC
Al Dabbagh Group Holding Company
Al Thiqa Al Shamlah For Real Estate Company
Alsulaiman Group
Baker Hughes
Cerberus
Elm Company
Emirates Global Aluminium
eWTP Capital Arabia
E&
Franklin Templeton
GLD Partners
Gleeds
Global Ventures Ltd
Gulf Islamic Investments
Impact Capital Company
Kaykroo
Multiplex
Korea Electric Power Company
Christian Dior
Nazer Group Company and Affidea
Netizen Limited / Kooora.com
Pfizer
Riyad Capital
Sadu VC Fund LLP
Shawcor Limited
Solb Steel
Western Union
Egis SA
Venice Energy
Work highlights
- Advised Jadwa Investment on its 100% acquisition of a portfolio of restaurant chains currently in the UAE with structuring to bring such brands including the well-known Allo Beirut brand, to Saudi Arabia.
- Advised Gulf Islamic Investments on the acquisition of 100% of SaudiMed Investment Company from BankMed.
- Alpha Dhabi on its circa $60 million acquisition of a majority stake in global oil and gas services company NTS Amega Global from ADQ.
United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 3
Noted for its strength in infrastructure and petrochemical disputes, Tim Burbury leads the construction practice at King & Spalding LLP. Burbury’s recent caseload encompasses renewable and conventional power projects. Adam Gray is experienced in commercial disputes and Sam Muir is knowledgeable of construction contracts. Ben Williams and Almiro Clere are other key team members.Practice head(s):
Tim Burbury
Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 3
A key contact for hospitality sector clients, King & Spalding LLP  is also often engaged for its capabilities in data centre transactions, mixed-use developments, and real estate finance. The practice is jointly led by Tim Burbury and Malek Al Rifai; Burbury in particular is noted for his expertise in infrastructure and utility projects. Michael Rainey is a key port of call for funds, high net-worth individuals, and investment companies on Shariah compliance matters.Practice head(s):
Malek Al Rifai; Tim Burbury
Other key lawyers:
Michael Rainey; Alex Barker
Testimonials
‘This practice stands out for its deep expertise, exceptional responsiveness, and client-centered approach. Potential clients should know that the team excels in delivering clear, practical legal advice swiftly, making them highly reliable in time-sensitive matters.’
‘Their key strengths include the ability to manage complex cases with precision, leveraging both their legal knowledge and a collaborative team dynamic to ensure the best outcomes.’
‘Alex Barker and Malek Al Rifai both stand out for their exceptional professionalism and commitment. Alexander is highly skilled, bringing a thoughtful approach to complex legal documents and contracts. Malek is equally impressive, consistently providing clear and practical advice with a sharp focus on detail.’
‘Malek Al Rifai and Tim Burbury have shown remarkable responsiveness and reliability, making them trusted partners. Their collaborative nature and dedication to delivering high-quality service have made a significant impact, and these qualities are what I value most in working with them.’
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Key clients
Axiom Telecom
Palladium Hotel Group
Muraba Properties
Lamar Capital LLC
National Bank of Fujairah
Work highlights
- Advised National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) on the terms of its appointment as an escrow bank by the Real Estate Registration Agency in Dubai (RERA).
- Advised an affiliate of Lamar Capital on the sale and purchase agreement for the acquisition of a mixed-use development plot from Shamal in Business Bay, Dubai for c. AED 650 million.
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 4
King & Spalding LLP’s banking and finance team primarily focuses on Saudi Arabia, advising corporates, financial institutions, and sovereign entities. The firm is highly active in financing, fund, and restructuring transactions, often incorporating Shari’ah-compliant elements, with significant work in the energy, infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing sectors. Team head Michael Rainey maintains a broad practice, advising both borrowers and lenders on conventional and Islamic finance matters. Zaid Al-Farisi, based in the Riyadh office, draws on nearly three decades of experience in the Kingdom to provide expert counsel, while Asal Saghari also comes highly recommended.Practice head(s):
Michael Rainey
Other key lawyers:
Zaid Al-Farisi; Asal Saghar
Testimonials
‘When it comes to Sharia financings and structurings, I’ve always trusted K&S to deliver and close in a timely manner.’
‘Michael Rainey and Asal Saghari are always available and responsive. The knowledge they have makes our deals close very successful and straightforward.’
Key clients
Jeddah Economic Company
KFH Capital Investment Company
Saudi Awwal Bank
Banque Saudi Fransi
Azmeel Contracting Company
Shorooq Partners Limited
Arkad Engineering & Construction Company
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 5
King & Spalding LLPÂ focuses on cases across the energy, real estate, construction, and infrastructure sectors, as well as handling a growing body of work pertaining to banking and finance disputes and investigations. Ben Williams is instructed by prominent state-backed entities, corporates and financial institutions on a mix of construction and commercial matters. Adam Gray relocated from Austin in May 2023 and brings further construction expertise to the fore. Kateryna Frolova and Sophia Cafoor-Camps come recommended.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The K&S Dispute Resolution team has a very diverse group of lawyers to draw on both locally in the ME Region & globally, which they do for their clients. They have a very good litigation group that prepares the client for responses to the various legal responses and actual trial interactions with the judge and opposing lawyers.’
‘The lawyers that are directly involved and even those that only assist are very personable to work with, yet very professional and demanding at the same time.’
‘King & Spalding are extremely experienced, have a massive track record and precedents, are truly multi-jurisdictional, and uniquely highlight the strength and weaknesses and provide clear cut recommendations.’
Key clients
Hexagon Holdings Limited
International Airfinance Corporation
Bateel
Sanitek
Abdullah Mubarak Al Suwaiket & Sons
Calvin E. Jungquist
Work highlights
- Representing Calvin E. Jungquist in a one-week trial in the DIFC Courts in July 2023 in a claim for breach of contract and tort against Michael H. Corbin and Navistar Defense LLC.
- Representing Lebanese claimants Sanitek S.a.r.l., Sari Haddad and Elias Doumet in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Armenia. The dispute arises out of continuing breaches of the Lebanon-Armenia BIT and the Canada-Armenia BIT by the Government of Armenia and the Municipality of Yerevan in relation to Sanitek’s investments in the waste management system of the city of Yerevan.
- Representing Bateel in UAE and US court proceedings relating to a dispute involving franchises in Michigan and Texas. The breach of contract claim involved the franchisee’s failure to comply with brand and store expansion requirements, against the backdrop of Covid-19.
Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance
King & Spalding’s banking and financing team has been praised for its ‘innovative capabilities’ in financing restructuring and cross-border transactions, particularly in the manufacturing, construction and energy sectors. The team showcases extensive expertise in both conventional and Shari’ah-compliant financing transactions, earning major Saudi and international banks as clients, as well as key players in the private credit market.. The practice is headed by Zaid Al-Farisi, whose extensive experience and ‘cultural fluency’ make him a go-to adviser for lenders, borrowers, sponsors, debtors and creditors. Dubai-based Michael Rainy is another key asset, bringing nearly 20 years of experience covering conventional and Shari’ah-complaint equity, loan and bond financings to deliver transactions successfully.Practice head(s):
Zaid Al-Farisi
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Highly competent in KSA Bankruptcy Law with many successful records. Possesses innovative capabilities in developing alternative solutions for concluding debt-restructuring transactions. Excellent in responsiveness, maintaining consistent high quality work. Possesses in-depth knowledge of legal matter related to commercial and banking disputes. Very cost effective. Demonstrated an interest in our company and an understanding of our needs and objectives. Finally, delivered exceptional results which make them our first choice in future for such complicated commercial/banking disputes. ’
‘I worked with lawyers Michael Rainey and Zaid Hadir Al-Farisi, who supported us in defining innovative strategy, drafting and negotiating the terms for concluding the debt settlement agreements with four commercial banks. They were very supportive to us in concluding agreements that effectively protected our interests and delivered extremely valuable results.’
‘King & Spalding in Riyadh distinguishes itself through a combination of deep legal expertise and a client-centric approach. They have a strong emphasis on understanding clients’ unique needs. Also, their ability to provide tailored solutions sets them apart from other firms.
‘The team is composed of highly skilled lawyers with specialized knowledge across a broad range of legal sectors, including Banking & Finance.’
‘King & Spalding in Riyadh combines deep legal expertise with a client-centric approach, emphasizing understanding clients’ unique needs. Their ability to provide tailored solutions sets them apart from other firms. The team consists of highly skilled lawyers with specialized knowledge in various legal sectors, including Banking & Finance.’
‘The team members at King & Spalding Riyadh’s office are distinguished by their depth of expertise, problem-solving abilities, and unwavering dedication to their clients’ success. They are not only skilled in their respective fields but also possess a keen sense of business acumen, enabling them to offer pragmatic and strategic legal advice. They ensure that clients receive undivided attention and tailor their strategies to the specific needs of each case.’
‘The team is always available, ensuring that any urgent legal matter is addressed promptly. This level of commitment and availability is a quality that I have greatly valued.’
‘Zaid Al-Farsi: is an outstanding lawyer specializing in Banking, Finance, and Restructuring. With a deep understanding of both local and international markets, Zaid consistently delivers exceptional legal strategies that not only align with but also enhance business goals. Fluent in both Arabic and English, he has the ability to navigate complex financial transactions with precision, making him an invaluable asset to his clients. His legal acumen is matched by his cultural fluency, which allows him to effectively bridge the gap between diverse client needs and legal requirements. You can always tell when Zaid is involved in a project—his commitment to excellence and thoroughness shines through, ensuring successful outcomes for clients across the board.’
Key clients
Jeddah Economic Company
Arab National Bank
Saudi Awwal Bank
Banque Saudi Fransi
Azmeel Contracting Company
Arkad Engineering and Construction Company
JPMorgan
Vision International Investment Company
Riyad Capital
Work highlights
- Acted as restructuring counsel for Azmeel Contracting Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s top five construction firms, and facilitated a Financial Restructuring Procedure under Saudi Bankruptcy Law, culminating in a 2022 creditor-approved plan to convert over USD 2 billion in claims into Shari’ah-compliant financing instruments.
- Assisting Arkad with its Financial Reorganisation Procedure, including restructuring debt into Shari’ah-compliant instruments.
Saudi Arabia > Commercial, corporate and M&A
King & Spalding LLP > Firm Profile
The firm:Â 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 1,300 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 | |
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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 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Martin Hunt | Martin Hunt focuses on mergers, acquisitions and joint venture transactions in the… | View Profile |
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Ms Dounia Mansour | Dounia’s practice focuses on issues related to the structuring, establishment and distribution… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 1300+ 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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Assisting clients in the present and anticipating the future
2022 is a pivotal year We are going through unprecedented crises requiring a major evolution of our society. One of King & Spalding’s strengths is to be at the side of our client in this context. So far, more than 330m people have contracted the Covid-19 virus, all variants combined, and at least 6m have …
- Investment fund formation and management