What the team is known for
Allen & Overy is a distinguished global law firm with excellent corporate teams in Dubai and Abu Dhabi ably supported by the London office. The firm offers an enviable depth of resources and expertise in corporate matters, assisting domestic and international clients across the MENA region. Its lawyers handle a diverse range of matters, including private and public M&A, corporate restructuring and corporate transactions ancillary to capital markets issuances. It demonstrates further experience in joint ventures, antitrust matters and corporate governance. The team regularly acts for clients in such industry sectors as energy, healthcare, retail and financial services.
Strengths
A client said: "A&O met all of our expectations by providing sterling legal advice supported by many innovative solutions. I would also appraise A&O for being very responsive and for their ability to provide succinct and clear legal advice."
Another client observed: "The ability to deliver a deal pretty much anywhere is a key strength of the firm itself."
Notable practitioners
Andrew Schoorlemmer is based in London and regularly represents state-owned clients in the oil and gas sector in major acquisitions and disposals throughout the Middle East. He also demonstrates significant expertise in group restructurings, joint ventures and ECM transactions.
David Foster is increasingly regarded as a leading lawyer in cross-border M&A throughout the region. He regularly acts for investment groups and venture capital firms as well as advising clients in the education and healthcare sectors. In addition to M&A, he also demonstrates expertise in joint ventures and strategic investments. He is the firm's Middle East head of corporate and is based in Dubai.
"David is a super-good lawyer but he's also very relatable. He's very easy to deal with and very switched on to the issues." Ibrahim Mubaydeen is the managing partner of Allen & Overy's Abu Dhabi office and has a distinguished track record acting on regional acquisitions and disposals. He is also accomplished in corporate structuring mandates.
Khalid Garousha leads Allen & Overy's regional practice from Abu Dhabi and maintains a formidable reputation for cross-border M&A, acting especially for clients in the oil and gas sector. He is also esteemed for his work in equity capital markets.
"I think Khalid is excellent. As a corporate partner he is very, very good." 