Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
OFFICE NO C, 10TH FLOOR
EMIRATES OFFICE TOWERS, SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
DUBAI
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates > Investment fund formation and management Tier 1

Highly regarded for its strength handling LP-side instructions, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acts for some of the region’s pre-eminent sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and family offices on investments into a variety of funds, including private credit, venture capital, real estate and infrastructure. The firm also has an extensive fund formation offering that is complemented by the team’s understanding of Shari’ah structures. Team co-head Ayman Khaleq is a trusted advisor on cross-border transactions and UAE regulatory developments, while co-head William Nash has a strong track record in infrastructure fund formation. Alishia Sullivan is sought after by sovereign and pension funds for comprehensive funds counsel. Andrea Dougall also comes recommended. Carolyn Abram left the firm in mid-2025.  

Practice head(s):

Ayman Khaleq; William Nash

Other key lawyers:

Work highlights

United Arab Emirates > Oil, gas and natural resources Tier 3

Transactional and finance advice make up the core of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s energy practice, with a particular focus on commodity structure and finance. Jennifer Josefson brings to the team a wealth of experience in energy project and M&A matters, while Alexey Chertov focuses on international commodities, and commodity finance and transactions. Alexandra Rotar is experienced in M&A and joint ventures in the energy sector, and Valentina Semenikhina has an active international practice, with particular expertise in infrastructure projects.

Practice head(s):

Jennifer Josefson

Key clients

Equinor ASA

A syndicate of banks with UniCredit Bank AG and ING Bank as agents

Macquarie Commodities Training

Petromal

Vitol SA

Wintershall Dea

Yildrim Holding

Work highlights

  • Representing Equinor in its sale of all its remaining assets in Azerbaijan.
  • Represented Equinor on sale of its 50% interest in the Karabagh oil field to SOCAR, the state oil company of Azerbaijan.
  • Represented Macquarie Commodities Trading in its exclusive master services and marketing agreement (MSMA) with Transition Industries LLC for its Pacifico Mexinol project, a 6,145 metric-tons-per-day methanol production facility near Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico.

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

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises multinational corporations, government entities, investment firms, and financial institutions on a wide range of financings, restructurings, and fund-related matters. The firm is noted for its cross-border capabilities, leveraging its extensive international network to provide comprehensive advice on multi-jurisdictional transactions, and also frequently acts on complex Islamic financings. The practice is led by Ayman A Khaleq who is well-placed to advise on private placement transactions. Tomisin Mosuro supports a multitude of matters and brings further Islamic capabilities. Amanjit K Fagura  left the practice in 2025.

Practice head(s):

Ayman Khaleq

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Ayman Khaleq is the lawyer we work with. He’s very responsive and innovative in ideas around solutions.’

‘Very strong structuring ideas around Islamic products.’

Key clients

Dubai Government Sustainability Standards

Mered Investment Co. LLC

Veling Ltd.

NBK Capital Credit Fund

Ajeej Capital

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

Handling a variety of substantial acquisitions, investments and mergers in the tech space, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a robust corporate offering that is active in multiple markets across the Gulf. Mark Gilligan leads the practice and boasts close connections to sovereign wealth funds and state-backed entities. Richard Knott supports businesses and investors with financing and private equity transactions. Anastasia Dergacheva  is noted for her work in the TMT sector. Ksenia Andreeva  provides further IP, data protection, and cybersecurity acumen. Joanna Maria El Khoury also comes recommended.

Practice head(s):

Mark Gilligan

Key clients

Ennismore Holdings

Equinor

NBK Capital Partners

Petromal, a National Holding subsidiary

Presight AI Holding PLC

TASC Towers

TAWAL Europe Holdings S.à.r.l

TVM Capital Healthcare Partners

Work highlights

  • Represented Bayanat, a geospatial data products and services provider, in its merger with Yahsat to create the MENA region’s first AI-powered space technology company, valued at $4.1 billion.
  • Represented Presight AI Holding PLC in establishing its shareholding structure for AIQ alongside ADNOC.
  • Advised TAWAL Europe Holdings S.à.r.l on the acquisition of United Group’s (backed by BC Partners) telecommunications towers business in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia.

United Arab Emirates > Employment

Department Name Email Telephone
Corporate and business transactions Mark Gilligan [email protected] +971.2.697.8830
Corporate and business transactions Richard Knott [email protected] +971.2.697.8827
Banking and finance Alexey Chertov [email protected] +971.4.312.1850
Arbitration and litigation Chris Warren-Smith [email protected] +44.20.3201.5450
Corporate and regulatory compliance Chris Warren-Smith [email protected] +44.20.3201.5450
Labour and employment Chris Warren-Smith [email protected] +44.20.3201.5450
Islamic finance Ayman Khaleq [email protected] +971.4.312.1880
Private investment funds Ayman Khaleq [email protected] +971.4.312.1880
Private equity Ayman Khaleq [email protected] +971.4.312.1880
Technology, media and telecommunications Anastasia Dergacheva [email protected] +971.4.312.1875
White-collar crime and investigations Chris Warren-Smith [email protected] +44.20.3201.5450
Energy transactions Jennifer Josefson [email protected] +971.2.697.8840
Occupational safety and health Chris Warren-Smith [email protected] +44.20.3201.5450
Islamic finance Amanjit Fagura [email protected] +971.4.312.1860
Technology, media and telecommunications Ksenia Andreeva [email protected] +971.4.312.1865
Private equity Alishia Sullivan [email protected] +971.4.312.1945
Private equity William Nash [email protected] +971.2.697.8810
Private investment funds Alishia Sullivan [email protected] +971.4.312.1945
Private investment funds William Nash [email protected] +971.2.697.8810
Private investment funds Carolyn Abram [email protected] +971.4.312.1970
Banking and finance Sidanth Rajagopal [email protected] +971.4.312.1829
Photo Name Position Profile
Ksenia Andreeva photo Ms Ksenia Andreeva Ksenia Andreeva focuses her practice on complex transactions involving technology and intellectual…
Anastasia Dergacheva photo Ms Anastasia Dergacheva Anastasia Dergacheva counsels major international companies in the telecommunications, media and entertainment,…
Number of lawyers : 1,960
at this office : 34
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Contact : Alishia Sullivan (Dubai), William Nash (Abu Dhabi)
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