Latham & Watkins LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Latham & Watkins LLP Offices
ICD Brookfield Place, Level 16
Dubai International Financial Centre
PO BOX 506698, DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
Latham & Watkins LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Capital markets Tier 2
Latham & Watkins LLP is noted for its debt capital markets work, advising on complex bond deals and assisting a range of clients with conventional and Sukuk transactions. The firm also acts for sovereign wealth funds in the UAE and Saudi Arabia on a range of capital markets transactions and financings. Practice head Nomaan Raja is a prolific debt and equity capital market practitioner who is renowned for his expertise in high-yield bonds. Basil Al-Jafari acts for government-related entities and financial institutions and has been active in a number of market firsts.Practice head(s):
Nomaan Raja
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Emirates REIT (CEIC) PLC
Emirates Telecommunications Group Company (Etisalat Group) PJSC
Government of Dubai
Dana Gas PJSC
Crescent Petroleum
BAPCO Energies (formerly Nogaholding)
Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company
Public Investment Fund
Citigroup Global Markets Limited
Deutsche Bank AG
Goldman Sachs International
Morgan Stanley
JPM
Emirates NBD Capital
First Abu Dhabi Bank
HSBC Bank plc
United Arab Emirates > TMT Tier 2
Latham & Watkins LLP offers, according to some, ‘the most pioneering TMT team in the region’, acting for a broad range of clients from early stage start-ups to the world’s largest organisations. In response to the increasing data protection regulations in the UAE and wider Middle East, the practice has continued to invest in and expand its privacy expertise and acts for a number of global tech powerhouses. Practice head Brian Meenagh is considered by major clients to be ‘the best TMT lawyer to tackle large technology infrastructure projects and technology-related disputes’; he is supported by associate Lucy Tucker. Alexander Hendry left the firm.Practice head(s):
Brian Meenagh
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘L&W has the most pioneering TMT team in the region, led by Brian Meenagh, with great ability to deploy lawyers from London office and other offices to cater for all types of matters. ’
‘Brian Meenagh is probably the best TMT lawyer in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf to tackle large Technology infrastructure projects and technology related disputes, in addition to FinTech projects and acquisitions.’
‘Brian Meenagh and his team are extremely knowledgeable in their field of work of which, similar to other Latham teams we work with, we have trust that they are the most advance within their field of expertise which gains our trust, when working with them and gains our continued confidence in them when instructing them.’
‘Brian Meenagh has come to be a trusted advisor who we are confident working with and the quality of work he produces and overviews by his team continues to be at an exceptional standard each year.’
‘Knowledge and resourcefulness. The global network that Latham offers adds significant value – and the teams work together very effectively. The quality of the lawyers (across all levels) is also extremely high.’
‘Omar Maayah and Eyad Latif are two of the best lawyers we’ve worked with. The skillset, commitment and transparency they bring makes them stand-out and consistently add value. ’
Key clients
Public Investment Fund
Chimera
Al Rajhi Bank
Sehati
Sequoia
Sheikh Shakbout Medical City
Savvy
Amiral Management Corporation (AMC)
Aney.com
Cercli
Convergint
Abhi
Baraka
Careem
Checkout.com
Finexity
Rain
Tabby
Zest Equity
United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 3
Fielding a dedicated UAE team that works with a host of financial institutions, Latham & Watkins LLP demonstrates wide-ranging capabilities pertaining to the financing of brownfield and greenfield developments, fund acquisitions, and a variety of restructurings. Islamic financing continues to be a cornerstone of the practice; the team regularly advises on first-of-its-kind deals across the region, including corporate restructurings and digital infrastructure matters. Practice head Christian Adams is noted for his proficiency in cross-border transactions, especially in the real estate, hospitality and infrastructure sectors. Chirag Sanghrajka has a strong track record of working with both public and private sector clients on a broad array of financing mandates, with notable experience counselling on project bonds and Islamic financing.Practice head(s):
Christian Adams
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Christian Adams think commercially and taking the sensible approach to complex negotiations earning respect of other side.’
Key clients
Emirates REIT
Brookfield Private Capital
Government of Dubai
e&
Emarat
Dubai Holding
TECOM
Goldman
JP Morgan
ICD Brookfield
Chimera
Tamara
BAPCO Energies
Standard Chartered Bank
HSBC
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Emirates NBD
Work highlights
- Advising Emirates REIT in connection with the restructuring of its existing debt facilities and the execution of new loan facilities.
- Advising e& in connection with US$5bn term loan facilities.
- Advising Tamara, the leading shopping and payments platform in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region, on the first-of-its-kind debt financing through securitisation in the Middle East.
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Latham & Watkins LLP regularly acts on cutting-edge corporate and commercial mandates and has a strong track record working with domestic and international venture capital investors and emerging growth companies. Christopher Lester is a key name for M&A, joint venture and restructuring mandates. Eyad Latif has particular expertise advising venture capital and private equity funds and Omar Maayeh has substantial transactional know-how, and is especially strong in regard to the technology venture capital space.Practice head(s):
Christopher Lester
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Chimera Abu Dhabi
TotalEnergies
Sequioa Capital India
Convergint
Nana Direct
Bayway AG
Baraka Technology
Zid
Work highlights
- Advised TotalEnergies on an agreement with CEPSA to acquire CEPSA’s upstream assets in the United Arab Emirates.
- Advised Dubai Holding on the acquisition of the iconic The Westin Paris – Vendome.
- Advised Convergint on its acquisition of the MVP Group.
United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 3
Noted for its lender-side advice regarding large-scale healthcare and industrial facility developments, Latham & Watkins LLP handles some of the most strategically significant projects in Saudi Arabia, advising on an spectrum of asset types including biopharma, digital infrastructure, oil and gas and solar - both in KSA and the wider region. The group is headed up by Villiers Terblanche, who is regularly called upon by sponsors and investors for complex, multi-faceted financings and other market-leading ventures. Marc Makary often works with sovereign wealth funds to finance their acquisitions.Practice head(s):
Villiers Terblanche
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BAPCO Energies
Al Rajhi Bank and Banque Saudi Fransi
Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and the National Center for Privatization & PPPs
Riyad Bank
Aluminium Bahrain
Work highlights
- Advising Bahrain’s state oil company, Bapco, on a sustainability-linked Push Facility.
- Advised Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) on its US$1.27 billion refinancing of its existing commercial bank facilities.
Saudi Arabia > Projects and energy
Saudi Arabia > Banking and finance
The Latham & Watkins LLC boasts an exceptional standing in the Saudi Arabian banking and finance arena. The practice excels in project finance, restructuring, and shariah-compliant financing, with a prominent focus on Islamic finance mandates. The firm has long relationships with some of the most prominent banks in Saudi Arabia, as well as development and real estate companies. Peter Norris, counsel, heads the practice - he focuses on banking finance and Islamic finance transactions, including sukuk structures. Salman Al-Sudairi is a highly sought-after expert, renowned for his counsel on restructuring as well as on Saudi Arabian regulatory and government advisory matters.Practice head(s):
Peter Norris
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The quick thinking of the Latham Banking and Finance team is always appreciated. The standard of work is produced at an extremely high level, even more so than we have come to expect. Their understanding of our business need is meet perfectly with the knowledge of our vision and work requirements being uniquely tailored to exactly what we need.
‘Latham’s Banking and Finance Team’s presentation and quality of work goes above and beyond that expected of a Law Firm. They provide continued support and advice and deliver on work requests often before our deadlines, at an exceptional standard and quality. This is reason that they are fully trusted by us. Their reputational standards are meet and exceeded without fail, each and every time. ’
‘When working with Harj Rai and his team, Peter Norris (Counsel) and a team of select associates, you can be confident that they have the highest knowledge and standard of work that we shall receive from anyone working and supporting Harj Rai and Peter Norris, of which this year, has been met tenfold.’
‘Harj Rai and his team, in particular Peter Norris, is constantly increasing and shines through when working with us, giving us a sense and knowing that we are in safe hands. Latham’s responses and advice, in particular on time sensitive matters, from Harj and Peter is received with stand-out quick-thinking mindsets, never leaving room for error. These are the type of work ethics that Harj Rai exudes at, leading with example, always ensuring that this is implemented from himself and/or his trusted team. This is the quality we appreciate and value from Latham’s Banking and Finance Team.’
‘There is always reassurance that the advice and work is produced with the preciseness and exact understanding of what is required and needed from Harj and his team, giving us a sense and knowing that we are in safe hands. ’
Key clients
Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia
Jabal Omar Development Company
Riyad Bank
Tadawul Real Estate Company
Muvi Cinema Company
Arab National Bank
Banque Saudi Fransi
SABB
Saudi National Bank
The National Commercial Bank
Work highlights
- Advising the Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in connection with approx. SAR90bn debt restructuring of the Saudi Binladin Group Company Limited (SBL).
- Advised Tadawul Real Estate Company, a real estate development and operation services provider, in connection with SAR1.3bn murabaha facility for the purposes of refinancing existing debt.
- Advising Muvi Cinema Company, the first home-grown cinema brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in connection with its SAR1.15bn murabaha based financing.
Latham & Watkins LLP > Firm Profile
The firm: Latham & Watkins is a leading international law firm serving multinational companies, state-owned enterprises, investment banks, private equity funds, venture capital firms, sovereign wealth funds, governments and other organisations. The firm’s global platform spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, and consists of internationally recognised practices across a wide spectrum of transactional, litigation, corporate and regulatory areas. Latham lawyers offer unrivalled legal resources and strategic commercial thinking to provide clients with innovative solutions to complex business and legal matters.
Latham lawyers have been advising some of the most active strategic and financial dealmakers in the Middle East for over 20 years. The firm’s Middle East offices in Dubai and Riyadh are staffed with approximately 30 English, US and regionally qualified lawyers with Arabic, English, French and other language capabilities. The Middle East practice combines regional knowledge and experience with an international network of offices to provide comprehensive service to clients with interests in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, South Asia and beyond.
Latham established an on-the-ground presence in Dubai in 2008 and has witnessed the rapid growth of this dynamic city, as well as its recent economic challenges. Latham’s Dubai team has a commitment to continue growing and serving their clients in the UAE and the GCC, as well as those located internationally with interests across the region.
Areas of practice: With 20 lawyers located in its Dubai office, Latham has a team highly experienced in banking and finance, project development and finance, capital markets, investment funds, Islamic finance, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property and technology transactions across industries such as education, energy, power, oil and gas, financial services, government entities, healthcare, infrastructure, mining and metals, construction, retail, and telecommunications.
Latham & Watkins is one of the few firms to have full English and US securities capabilities on the ground in the Middle East. Latham is a leader when it comes to debt and equity capital markets offerings in the Middle East and other emerging markets. Over the past decade, Latham has been the top law firm in global project bonds – ranked by value of bonds issued and by number of offerings. In addition, its lawyers have advised financial institutions, regional government agencies and corporate clients on many high-profile capital markets transactions and a wide range of GCC regulatory matters.
Latham’s M&A and private equity team has the in-depth knowledge and resources necessary to structure and execute complex transactions involving cross-border legal regimes throughout the GCC and the globe.
The firms’ lawyers are involved in some of the largest debt restructurings in the Middle East. Latham lawyers are members of the Hawkamah task force on MENA insolvency and creditor rights reform, as well as the Hawkamah task force on reforming corporate governance standards in Islamic financial institutions. The Legal 500 EMEA 2016 ranks Latham Tier 1 for banking and finance, and energy and infrastructure.
The firms’ award-winning global Islamic finance lawyers advise clients on the development of groundbreaking transactions in numerous jurisdictions, such as the first Islamic bank in the UAE to acquire conventional banking assets which were converted to Shari’ah-compliant financial products. The Legal 500 EMEA 2015 ranks Latham Tier 2 for Islamic finance.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital markets | |||
| Intellectual property | |||
| Mergers and acquisitions/ private equity | |||
| Joint ventures and strategic investments | |||
| Fund formation | |||
| Technology transactions | |||
| Litigation and disputes | |||
| Venture capital | |||
| Banking and finance | |||
| Islamic finance | |||
| Project development and finance | |||
| Restructuring and insolvency | |||
| Structured/leveraged finance | |||
| Outsourcing |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Christian Adams | Christian Adams represents corporates, sponsors, and lenders on a broad range of… | View Profile |
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Basil Al-Jafari | Basil Al-Jafari helps corporates, governments, and financial institutions navigate the full range… | View Profile |
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Eyad Latif | Eyad Latif advises private and public companies and venture capital and private… | View Profile |
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Chris Lester | Chris Lester is a corporate partner based in the Dubai office of… | View Profile |
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Omar Maayeh | Omar Maayeh advises companies globally across the full business life cycle, from… | View Profile |
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Marc Makary | Marc Makary is counsel in the Dubai office of Latham & Watkins.… | View Profile |
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Derek McKinley | Derek McKinley advises government-related procurers, lenders, and sponsors on all aspects of… | View Profile |
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Brian Meenagh | Brian Meenagh is a partner in the Riyadh office of Latham & Watkins.… | View Profile |
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Harj Rai | Harj Rai, Co-Chair of the firm’s Saudi Arabia Practice, represents government and… | View Profile |
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Nomaan Raja | Nomaan Raja serves as Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Dubai… | View Profile |
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Villiers Terblanche | Villiers Terblanche, Co-Chair of the firm’s Saudi Arabia Practice, specializes in complex infrastructure… | View Profile |
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Lucy Tucker | Lucy Tucker advises clients on data privacy, cybersecurity, and commercial contracts, with… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 2,600+ at this office : 20Languages
Arabic English French Punjabi Spanish UrduOther
Other offices : Barcelona Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Boston Other offices : Brussels Other offices : Century City Other offices : Chicago Other offices : Düsseldorf Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : Hamburg Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Houston Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Madrid Other offices : Milan Other offices : Moscow Other offices : Munich Other offices : New Jersey Other offices : New York Other offices : Orange County Other offices : Paris Other offices : Riyadh Other offices : Rome Other offices : San Diego Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Seoul Other offices : Shanghai Other offices : Silicon Valley Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Tokyo Other offices : Washington DCLegal Briefings
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Transacting with troubled companies: navigating stressed, distressed, and insolvent acquisitions
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant challenges for many businesses, and a heightened risk of financial difficulty and insolvency. While the number of formal insolvencies has been relatively low thus far, troubled businesses may be forced to pursue accelerated asset disposals, or may themselves present an attractive investment opportunity for new equity stakeholders capable …
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