Banking & Finance
Global Guide 2024 : United Arab Emirates
Band 1
Contact number
+971 4 4267100Chambers Review
A&O Shearman has long been one of the foremost law firms in the Middle East, with deep experience in various aspects of commercial lending. The team has an excellent reputation for project finance, with expertise in power, renewable energy and infrastructure. Its lawyers also represent blue-chip clients, both domestic and international, in major restructuring and refinancing matters. Other areas of expertise include asset and Islamic finance. The firm is noted for its ability to assist with transactions originating across the region, with particular expertise relating to Saudi Arabia and Oman. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.
Work Highlights
- The firm advised the lenders, including Emirates NBD, on a AED17 billion financing provided to the property developer Nakheel.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team are very proactive and hands-on. Their legal knowledge is outstanding and they have what is required in terms of acumen and technical skills to lead on the biggest financial transactions."
"The firm`s client service is always great and they score top marks for commercial awareness."
"The team are very proactive and hands-on. Their legal knowledge is outstanding and they have what is required in terms of acumen and technical skills to lead on the biggest financial transactions."
"The firm`s client service is always great and they score top marks for commercial awareness."
Notable Practitioners
Haris Meyer Hanif is a highly proficient lawyer who is widely considered to be a market leader in restructuring and insolvency, acquisition finance and alternative lending. He has extensive experience representing international and domestic financial institutions. He recently joined the firm after leaving Freshfields.
"Haris Meyer Hanif is highly effective and commercial and has a good grasp of a client's needs."
"He's an excellent lawyer - the first person we call in the UAE."
Anthony Traboulsi is an experienced Dubai-based partner. He acts on behalf of high-profile international and regional clients, offering finance advice across the full spectrum of conventional and Shari'a-compliant lending.
"Anthony Traboulsi is very hands-on and has the right attitude and legal acumen to lead on transactions."
"He is very focused on getting a contract signed in the best interests of both parties. He is reasonable and what he says makes a lot of sense."
Anzal Mohammed is widely regarded as a leading Islamic finance lawyer, most significantly in the field of sukuk. He is much esteemed for his work advising issuers, arrangers and dealers on Tier 1 issuances.
Bilal Ahmad is highly regarded for his capabilities in sukuk, often acting on Tier 1 issuances containing dual Islamic and conventional structures. He is equally experienced in acting for issuers and underwriters. He is particularly adept at advising major regional financial institutions on debut issuances.
Ranked Lawyers at
A&O Shearman
United Arab Emirates