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Freshfields

Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based

Global Guide 2026 : United Arab Emirates

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Freshfields

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Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/working-globally/middle-east/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based - United Arab Emirates

What the Team is Known For
Freshfields is a pre-eminent law firm that adeptly handles multi-jurisdictional M&A deals and corporate structurings from its offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The corporate team regularly assists financial investors and prominent regional clients in the TMT, oil and gas, and financial services sectors. The team has noteworthy experience advising on high-profile, cross-border M&A, and its lawyers are widely endorsed for their strengths assisting sovereign wealth funds and acting for major private equity houses.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields advised First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) on its USD2.8 billion takeover of Network International Holding and the subsequent business combination with Magnati, an existing joint venture between FAB and Brookfield.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields are commercially focused, practical and solution-oriented.

    Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

  • We appreciate the personal attention from partners and counsel operating at the highest international level.

    Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

  • The Freshfields team are consistently prompt, attentive and proactive in addressing our enquiries and delivering clear, practical guidance.

    Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

  • The quality of Freshfields' partner, counsel and associate team is hard to beat. They are excellent technically, hard-working, and we know we are in good hands with them. They always add value.

    Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

  • Freshfields have deep expertise in the region and in cross-border M&A. The lawyers are familiar with almost all deal structures and both private and governmental counterparties.

    Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Pervez Akhtar
    Pervez Akhtar

    Pervez Akhtar

    Pervez Akhtar is an eminent lawyer who is widely considered a top choice for private equity and M&A transactions in the UAE and further afield. He regularly handles ground-breaking acquisitions on behalf of venture capital firms, sovereign wealth funds, and clients in the energy and education sectors.

    • Pervez Akhtar has excellent commercial awareness.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Pervez is a star in the region.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal
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  • Tom Lawless
    Tom Lawless

    Tom Lawless

    Abu Dhabi-based Tom Lawless advises sovereign entities and corporates on a wide variety of M&A and related matters. He is able to assist with strategic investments and the establishment of joint ventures, in addition to his expertise in private equity transactions.

    • Tom Lawless is commercially driven, so decisions tend to be made much more easily. He is very responsive and offers fast turnaround.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Tom is very good commercially and a pleasure to deal with. We rely on him and his team, given the quality of his work and the experience he brings to the table.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Tom Lawless is a very strong M&A lawyer, well regarded and highly commercial.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Tom Lawless knows our concerns well and makes sure the rest of the team knows too. He is very commercial.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Tom Lawless is a great client relationship manager who is very good at understanding client needs but also able to deliver on the technical capabilities required.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal
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  • Saad Mian
    Saad Mian

    Saad Mian

    Saad Mian is sought after by sovereign wealth funds and investors on the full gamut of M&A matters, offering additional expertise in corporate reorganisations and joint ventures.

    • Saad is well organised, knowledgeable, friendly and responsive.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Saad Mian is competent, available, very responsive and easy to work with.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal
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  • Charlotte Stevens
    Charlotte Stevens

    Charlotte Stevens

    Charlotte Stevens is a partner based in Freshfields' Abu Dhabi office. Her expertise lies primarily in the handling of acquisitions and joint ventures on behalf of clients operating in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

    • Charlotte Stevens has endless patience and is always ready with constructive suggestions.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Charlotte Stevens is one of the most technically able lawyers I've worked with.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal

    • Charlotte is a gifted lawyer. She always gets to the bottom of every aspect of a deal, while also being able to identify and single out the key commercial points.

      Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (4)

United Arab Emirates

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