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Ashurst LLP

Ashurst LLP

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United Arab Emirates

2

Corporate and M&A

Ashurst LLP ‘offers highly reliable and commercially pragmatic support on both domestic and cross-border matters in the UAE.’ The firm acts on public and private M&A, PE, joint ventures, and equity capital market transactions across sectors including energy, TMT, healthcare, and technology, with a client list that includes multinationals, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices. Team head Simon Rahimzada brings over 17 years of Gulf market experience, advising on cross-border M&A, private equity, and equity capital markets transactions. Stuart James focuses primarily on energy and infrastructure deals, while Vasi Papadopoulos is frequently instructed by private equity sponsors, family offices, and financial institutions on corporate mandates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Always responsive partners and associates. Ability to understand complex transaction issues and provide and negotiate solutions.'
  • ‘Partners always available to support in a demanding transaction with associates who are engaged and involved and can provide essential input in times of high pressure.'
  • ‘Great team with diverse background and experiences.'
  • ‘Simon Rahimzada stood out when we have worked together and demonstrated both business/commercial acumen as well as strong technical legal experience and expertise.'
  • ‘The team is old in the market. Ashurst as a name in M&A is new though. Lawyers were all trained in the top shops for M&A in the region. Partner attention to matters is very high.'
  • ‘Simon Rahimzada has been my lawyer of choice for many years now. I value his involvement on day to day matters as well as high level recommendations on legal structuring.'

Key clients

  • Alpha Dhabi Holding
  • G42
  • Zahid Group
  • Gulf Finance House
  • Saudi Telecom
  • ADNOC
  • Modon
  • Abu Dhabi IPO Fund
  • Cerberus Capital
  • Gulf Investment Corporation
  • Transmed Holding Limited
  • Inception

Work highlights

Advised Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, on its successful public auction process investment in Wanhua Chemical (Yantai) Petrochemical Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-controlled globally operating chemical materials company.
Advised ADNOC on its acquisition from Galp of the entire share capital of Galp Rovuma B.V., which holds a 10% interest in the Area 4 concession of the Rovuma Basin in Mozambique.
Advised Zahid Group, on a cross-border public-to-private transaction led by a non-governmental entity based in the GCC region.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Simon Rahimzada

Other key lawyers

Stuart James; Vasi Papadopoulos; Maha Osman; Andrew Robinson; Zaid Al-Rizzo; Dasith Vithanage;