Mayer Brown possesses a team of ‘high quality and dedicated to the region’, advising on complex cross-border M&A and corporate transactions spanning energy, infrastructure, financial services, and technology. The practice continues to expand its regional reach, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and has strengthened its data privacy and regulatory capabilities to provide comprehensive client service. Team head Tom Thraya is praised as a ’world class lawyer‘ and is active on corporate transactions across the Gulf, while co-head Jad Taha is regularly instructed on M&A, PE and joint venture transactions with a strong focus on Saudi Arabia. Anne-Marie Wicks’ practice largely concentrates on the energy sector, whereas Farid Haroun is noted for his activity in the real estate and hospitality spaces.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Professionalism, diligence and over all team work on a global scale.'
- ‘Respect and trust built through out the year that can be relied upon. Tom Thraya stands out in my book.’
- ‘Very capable, knowledgeable, and agile team. We've been working with and through, Tom Thraya, who is our go-to on complex, urgent matters. He and his team's familiarity with regional dynamics and requirements has been invaluable, particularly on large-scale transactions that have global implications. He and his team are responsive and agile, and they are able to quickly comprehend and advise on complicated issues.’
- ‘Tom Thraya is terrific. Our company relies on him for advice and support on complex, urgent matters and he has been critical in helping us navigate regional dynamics and achieving impressive outcomes. His smarts, warmth, and ability to quickly comprehend and advise on complicated issues makes him an invaluable counselor. He is a world class lawyer and person--truly a dream to work with.'
- ‘Appreciate their cross-border capabilities. American quality lawyers with local knowledge. Unlike other firms where there Dubai office might be run by someone in London, the team is high quality and dedicated to the region. ’
- ‘Tom Traya - super responsive, easy to work with, highly knowledgeable. Hard to find someone as good as him.’
- ‘The team stands out for its professionalism, punctuality, and strong expertise across a wide range of legal fields. What impressed me most is their ability to handle complex matters efficiently while maintaining clear and timely communication throughout the process. They demonstrate a high level of collaboration, which ensures well-rounded advice and solutions.'
- ‘The individuals I’ve worked with, particularly Jad Taha, consistently stand out for their deep expertise, professionalism, and responsiveness. What truly sets him apart is the personal commitment to clients — always available when needed, regardless of time or urgency. This level of accessibility, combined with sound legal judgment and strategic insight, creates a strong sense of trust and reliability. Compared to others in the field, their ability to deliver thoughtful, timely advice across multiple areas of law — while maintaining clear communication and genuine client care — is exceptional.'
Key clients
- MAG Group
- Benteler International AG
- The Boeing Company
- Baxter AG
- Vantive GmbH
- McKinsey & Company
- Ernst & Young
- Denodo Corporation
- Growth Catalyst Partners
- GQG Partners
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Lofter Group
- Kerzner International
- Expedia.com/Hotels.com
- EDE Research Institute
- BASF
- SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia CJSC
- L Catterton
- Arabian company for oud and oriental perfumes trading
- Farm Rio
Work highlights
Advising MAG Group on its historic landmark USD 3 billion real estate tokenization agreement with MultiBank Group, the world’s largest financial derivatives institution based in Dubai.
Represented Baxter AG, an American multinational healthcare company, in its exit from its renal business in Saudi Arabia.
Represented The Boeing Company in the sale of its 55% stake in Al-Salam Aerospace Industries to Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Tom Thraya; Jad Taha
Other key lawyers
Anne-Marie Wicks; Farid Haroun; Nanda Al Qazaz