Dentons > DUBAI, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile

Dentons > The Legal 500 Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Banking and finance: Corporate finance (including Islamic lending) Tier 2

Dentons is well-regarded for its strong financing offering, excelling in both conventional and Islamic transactions The team acts for various regional financial institutions, leading industry corporates, government bodies and multilateral agencies, and has been notably active on ‘green’ deals, including sustainability-linked financings and bonds, as well consequential real estate and transport mandates. Alex Roussos and Stephen Knight co-lead the practice; the former is noted for his debt-financing and capital market capabilities, while the latter is recommended for his project finance expertise. Udayan Mukherjee is active on both the lenders and borrowers side on a mix of acquisition, project, and sustainability-linked financings, while Qasim Aslam continues to be an eminent practitioner regarding Islamic financing. Umera Ali is noted for his capabilities in cross-border matters.

United Arab Emirates > Capital markets Tier 2

Dentons' team advises issuers, arrangers and underwriters on substantial transactions. The firm is noted for its ESG work, advising on the first corporate green issuance in the Middle East as well the largest ESG sukuk in the world. Team head Alex Roussos has led on high-profile deals for a mix of leading industry players that include regional and international banks. Senior associate James Osun-Sanmi has provided support on a number of key practice mandates, and has experience working with both governments and general corporate clients.

United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 2

With contentious and transactional power, waste, and water expertise, Dentons  is particularly well versed in disputes arising from the construction of airports. Practice head Dean Ryburn has a strong record in construction, engineering, and infrastructure project disputes. Jon Nash handles commercial documentation pertaining to construction projects, while Suzannah Fairbairn and Ahmed El-Bayouk count contractors and employers on their client roster.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation Tier 2

Dentons has a diverse practice, with a group of dedicated specialists who handle commercial, banking, construction, regulatory and employment disputes. The team has a strong track record in front of courts in the DIFC, and have been active across a range of domestic and international arbitration centres. Dean Ryburn is a proficient dispute resolution expert, representing a wealth of clients in a range of cases and is regularly sought out by contractors, developers and investors for his construction acumen. Christopher Brennan is singled out for his skill in compliance and regulatory investigations, often handling highly sensitive financial crime, money laundering, fraud and corruption proceedings. Newly promoted partner Suzannah Fairbairn is principally noted for her large-scale arbitration work. Senior associates Faris Shehabi and Zahra Rose Khawaja provide additional support. Andrew Cheung left the firm and Alastair Young retired.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations Tier 2

Dentons' team has a 'thorough understanding of the issues including commercial realities'. The group ramped up its offering with the arrival of Christopher Brennan from the firm's London office; his expertise ensures that the team is sought out by corporates for investigations in a variety of sectors, especially financial services. Other key areas of expertise include bribery and corruption issues, money laundering and asset tracing, and compliance with international sanctions advice. Shiraz Sethi handles a range of contentious and non-contentious employment-related mandates, specialising in workplace investigations and senior associate David Slim has been notably active in internal investigations, crisis management issues involving regulatory bodies, and compliance audits to mitigate sanctions and offences. Andrew Cheung left the firm.

United Arab Emirates > Employment Tier 2

A strong choice for a litany of international corporates, Dentons is noted for its ‘global footprint and local knowledge’. Offering clients ‘first rate advice’, Shiraz Sethi leads the department and handles employment recruitment, terminations, and workplace investigations across the energy, insurance, and technology sectors. Chris Brennan represents corporates and individuals in criminal prosecution, and leads the firm’s compliance and investigations team. Ali Al Assaad frequently handles the drafting and negotiations of employment offers and contracts.

United Arab Emirates > Infrastructure and projects (including project finance) Tier 2

Proficient in M&A, financing, development and construction work, Dentons leverages its considerable Middle Eastern footprint to act on an array of high-profile infrastructure and energy projects across the region. The firm oversees leading work in the emerging hydrogen sector, as well as working with state entities on critical PPP developments alongside a range of funds and financial sponsors. Jon Nash, who leads the UAE-based team, has been principally engaged on waste treatment, renewable energy, and utilities work over the past twelve months. Udayan Mukherjee is particularly noted for project finance expertise, maintaining relationships with a number of banks, borrowers and governments across the region. Senior associate Kanishka Singh excels in the waste treatment space.

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

A ‘great team with unique and valuable insight on local practice and law’, Dentons is active in the full range of corporate deals in the region and acts for clients in a range of sectors, including energy, TMT, healthcare and real estate. Cross-border transactions are a key strength of the team and it is able to draw on the firm’s offices across the wider Middle East. The ‘superb‘ group head Iain Black stands out for his M&A and joint venture practice and David McGrory provides extensive counsel to clients engaged in the fintech, spacetech, renewables, aerospace and healthcare industries. Senior legal consultant Catherine Beckett and associate Kislay Kumar have also been active on an array of mandates. Ross Barfoot and Stephen McKenna were new arrivals in February 2024.

United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 3

Bolstered by its international network, Dentons is praised for its ‘seamless, coordinated, and transactional service’. The practice is also particularly active in franchising and REITs and often acts for an assortment of developers, landlords, and occupiers. With over two decades of real estate experience, Nick Simpson co-leads the team with Iain Black, who handles hotel and other real estate transactions. Joe Carroll is proficient in acquisitions and disposals, mixed-use projects, and landlord and tenant matters.

Saudi Arabia > Commercial, corporate and M&A

The Law Firm of Wael A. Alissa in association with Dentons stands out for its strong capacity and international network, which allows the practice to work on large cross-border investment and acquisition projects. Nick Simpson leads the team from Riyadh and is the firm’s key contact for large government and private clients, including the Ministry of Investment. Ziad Saad is highly regarded for assisting clients with pursuing licensing agreements and conducting issuance of shares.