Strengthened by the arrival of ex-Clifford Chance market veteran Mike Taylor in January 2025, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is renowned for advising sovereign wealth funds and global corporate and financial investors across the UAE and wider MENA region. The team handles complex, high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions, including joint ventures, buy-outs, and restructurings, leveraging deep local knowledge and global M&A expertise to support strategic investments in sectors such as tech, logistics, and digital infrastructure. Group lead Chris Macbeth is a seasoned emerging markets specialist, advising institutional investors and funds on complex transactions. Co-head Gamal Abouali represents sovereign wealth funds and multinational clients on cross-border deals, while co-head Michael Preston focuses on mandates for leading global private equity houses. Co-head Mohamed Taha was promoted to partner in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Good commercial acumen.'
- ‘What stood out was their responsiveness and attention to detail.’
Key clients
- OCI Global
- Philip Morris International
- TPG Group
- Roberto Coin
Work highlights
Advised OCI Global in a strategic sale of its entire equity stake (50% plus one share) in Fertiglobe PLC (Fertiglobe) to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for a total consideration of approximately AED13 billion (equivalent to $3.6 billion), implying a company valuation of approximately $7.2 billion for Fertiglobe.
Advised TPG Rise, a fund operated by the TPG Group that invests in companies driving measurable social impact alongside business performance and strong returns, on the carve-out and acquisition of Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbine business in India and Sri Lanka, and on a long-term technology licensing agreement with Siemens Gamesa.
Represented Roberto Coin SpA, the Italian luxury jewellery brand, on the re-negotiation of its long-term joint venture arrangements, and entry into new retailer and franchise agreements, with Damas Jewellery LLC (“Damas”) in light of the proposed sale by Mannai Corporation QPSC (“Mannai”) of Damas to Titan Company Limited (“Titan”), a joint venture company owned by the TATA Group and Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation. The consideration payable by Titan is based on an enterprise value for Damas of AED1,038 million.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Chris Macbeth; Gamal Abouali; Mike Taylor; Mohamed Taha; Mike Preston
Other key lawyers
Timofey Neklyudov; Misthura Otubu; Rawad Abou Jaoude; Rawad Abou Jaoude; Kay Hechaime; Olisa Maduegbuna; Daniela Weerasinghe