King & Spalding LLP > Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

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.    

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 5

King & Spalding LLP 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.

Saudi Arabia > Projects and energy

King & Spalding’s team specialise in complex and novel energy transition projects, giga projects, district cooling and PPPs. The team is engaged by high-profile clients, including NEOM and its subsidiaries, City Cool and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The team is led by a seasoned duo: Abu-Dhabi-based Dan Feldman, who has a strong track record in high-profile energy and utilities projects, and Tim Burbury, a specialist in energy and infrastructure giga-projects and PPPs who divides his time between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Further expanding the team’s offerings, Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker both joined in December 2023 from Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm in association with Ashurst LLP.

United States > Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation)

‘Second to none’ King & Spalding LLP is a trailblazer in complex and first-of-a-kind contracts, projects, and disputes. At the helm of the operation is Houston’s Scott Greer, who advises on the development of large energy and data center projects; and Austin’s Mike Stenglein, who helps clients resolve disputes involving critical U.S. infrastructure. Terra Mareck Cothran recently joined the Houston office where Andrew Stakelum is also based – he draws on his energy expertise to help clients resolve conflicts involving power plants and pipeline projects. In San Fransisco, David Wallach is focused on renewable energy, while Stephen O’Neal is effective in construction and engineering disputes. Austin-based Adam Gray, Luke Roniger and Matt Vandenberg concentrate on litigation and arbitration involving energy and technology megaprojects. In Atlanta, Gregg Jacobson assists with the negotiation and drafting of construction agreements, including procurement, EPC, and professional services. Austin’s Robert Garner is similarly experienced and has represented owners and developers in a variety of projects from university facilities to mining expansions. Ingrid Myers recently retired while Jonathan Katz departed from the firm.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

King & Spalding LLP combines an outstanding record in construction and project development with a flourishing project finance practice. The firm is at the forefront of energy transition, including hydrogen and LNG deals. It has an extensive record in Mexico, along with Brazil, Chile and Central America. The Latin America team has a substantial market share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the Latin America region, including in Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Brazil. It acted as development counsel for Uruguay’s first LNG import terminal and Colombia’s first LNG facility of any kind (the world’s first floating LNG export production facility). David Lang is a leading name in LNG projects, while Scott Greer leads the firm’s energy and construction transaction practice; both have a major focus on Latin America. Miami’s Fradyn Suárez is a prominent figure in Latin America project finance and Washington DC-based James Bowe provides further expertise in LNG, renewable generation and energy storage; he has advised Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) on a substantial project, which includes a large-scale LNG facility. Abu Dhabi’s Dan Feldman is a leading name in hydrogen and is bringing this expertise to the Latin America region. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.