GLA & Company

Firm Overview

GLA & Company is a regional MENA-based law firm with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait, Cairo, Bahrain and Doha. It provides strategic, cost-effective and forward-thinking legal representation for companies seeking to do business in the Middle East. The firm boasts a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from start-ups to global enterprises doing business in the Middle East. GLA’s practice consists of a full-service law firm that handles everything from simple advisory work to complex contentious and non-contentious matters. With extensive experience advising clients in the key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE – as well as in Egypt and Bahrain – the firm offers unique insights for companies seeking quality legal services. Data protection and privacy, in particular, is a key focus area for the firm, considering the expansion and revamping of applicable laws and regulations across the GCC.

GLA & Company is headed up by Nader Al Awadhi, Senior Partner, and Alex Saleh, Managing Partner. As a founding partner, Nader Al-Awadhi has over 44 years of legal experience. Nader Al Awadhi’s reputation in the Kuwait legal profession is well-known. He has developed a strong forte for commercial and corporate litigation matters representing many of the top Kuwaiti companies and institutions as well as many famous international companies.

Alex Saleh is the Managing Partner of GLA & Company and takes a leading regional role within the firm with respect to its M&A and Private Equity practice. With over 25 years of experience in both the GCC markets as well as the US, he has accumulated sizable expertise in the areas of banking & finance, mergers & acquisitions, capital market deals and infrastructure projects. His experience garners praise from the leading legal directories as he is annually awarded “Market Leader” by the IFLR1000, “Band One” by Chambers & Partners and “Leading Individual” by Legal 500. Alex’s transactions regularly win Deals of the Year by the same institutions and organizations.

GLA & Company works with companies and their international counsel

GLA & Company works with many of its clients directly. This includes clients located in the Middle East and in other regions worldwide in a diverse array of industries. But it also works with companies’ international law firm counsel in many instances. If your firm has a client with interests in the Middle East, GLA & Co attorneys can either shoulder the load or work alongside your firm’s attorneys to meet your client’s needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.

We Offer Unique Perspectives on Doing Business in the Middle East

As a result of the attorneys’ decades of local experience, the firm offers unique perspectives on doing business in the Middle East. Not only are its attorneys intimately familiar with the legal and regulatory issues, but they are knowledgeable about local and regional customs as well. As a result, they can help their clients avoid costly—and potentially embarrassing—mistakes while fully addressing their legal needs.

The firm is different from its competitors

As a boutique law firm with the resources and talent of much larger firms, the firm stands out from its competitors. It offers custom-tailored, one-on-one legal representation at reasonable rates, and its attorneys take a personal interest in ensuring that their clients have every available opportunity to succeed.

Moreover, what sets GLA & Co apart is its unparalleled combination of international and local expertise. GLA & Co combines the best and brightest regional international advisors with local experts who often hold an established and respected relationship with many key regulatory authorities, allowing the firm to provide the best advice and representation in a timely manner.

We Provide a Full Suite of Necessary Legal Services for Global Companies

We have structured our firm to serve as full-service outside counsel to multi-national companies seeking to do business in the Middle East and regional companies ranging from high-tech startups to established real estate developers, financial institutions, and retailers. This is illustrated by ourpractice areas, which include:

• Anti-Trust & Competition
• Banking & Finance
• Capital Markets
• Commercial Advisory
• Construction & Projects
• Corporate and M&A
• Data & Technology
• Disputes
• Employment & Benefits

Corporate and M&A

• Acted as local legal counsel for Zain Group (Boursa Kuwait: ZAIN) in acquiring a 70% interest in IHS Kuwait Limited from IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) for US$ 134 million;
• Served as GCC counsel for ACWA Power in its recent $693 million transaction to acquire ENGIE assets in Kuwait and Bahrain;
• Advised and Acted as Saudi legal counsel for Coatresa S.L regarding a multi-million dollar joint venture agreement between it and a Saudi national engineering company to establish a limited liability Technical coating company in KSA;
• In one of the major transactions in the GCC in 2024, GLA & Co, acting as lead counsel, advised UAE-based Al Ansari Financial Services in its execution of a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of BFC Financial Services Group, which has its businesses in Bahrain, Kuwait and India for a purchase price of $200 million;
• Advised Italian Mapei S.p.A. on its strategic acquisition of 100% of the shareholding in Bituminous Products Limited Company, a prominent company based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
• Represented a Kuwait Investment Authority company, National Company for Education Services and Training (NEST),in a collaboration with Abdullah Al-Salem University (AASU) and King’s College London (KCL) to establish the “College of Medicine and Health Sciences” at AASU;
• In one of the largest M&A transactions in 2023 in the GCC, acted for Cognita Middle East in their majority stake acquisition in Universe Education Company, the owner of Kuwait’s renowned Dasman Bilingual Schools, in a co-counsel role;
• Acted as Saudi and GCC counsel to DSV – Global Transport & Logistics regarding the establishment of a ground-breaking USD 10 billion exclusive transport and logistics joint venture between it and NEOM;
• Acted as GCC counsel to Silver Lake in its successful completion of a voluntary public tender offer of Germany’s Software AG;
• Represented EnerTech, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Investment Authority-owned National Technology Enterprises Company and a Kuwait government-backed clean energy investor and developer, as one of the members of an international consortium developing an integrated green hydrogen mega project in the Sultanate of Oman (GEO Green Hydrogen Project), with investments worth more than USD $20 billion;
• Acted for Americana in restructuring its Kuwait business, leading to the upcoming successful consummation of this landmark US$2 billion IPO. Specifically, the law firm was mandated to conduct a de-merger of the Kuwait corporate business by separating the Food Processing business from the Restaurant business;
• Acted for Sellers in the sale of 35% of their stake in Gissah Perfumes to Jadwa Investment Company for over US$ 100 Million.Gissah operates from more than 80 stores in 25 cities across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain; and
• Represented DSV Panalpina in its acquisition of the logistics division of Agility Public Warehousing Company as MENA counsel in an all-share deal worth US$ 4.1 billion, the largest merger & acquisition transaction in the MENA region in 2021.

Commercial Advisory

• Advised Toshiba Medical Systems currently known as Canon Medical Systems in its termination of various distribution agreements with local distributors in key GCC markets;
• Represented TNT (UAE) LLC in its sponsorship agreements with a local UAE entity regarding its commercial arrangements in the UAE;
• Advised Hershey Company in new distribution agreements in several key GCC jurisdictions;
• Represented Jollibee Food Corporationin various corporate and commercial arrangements in establishing operations in the UAE and other GCC states;
• Represented Marriot Drilling, the largest onshore deep drilling and associated services company, in its agreement to provide drilling services on various oil and gas wells within the State of Kuwait;
• Advised Roche Pharmaceuticals Middle East on restructuring options in several GCC jurisdictions;
• Advised General Motors Corporation with respect to revising its distribution agreements for use across all the key GCC states;
• Represented Uber with various regulatory bodies throughout the GCC for licensing issues;
• Represented Beghelli Präzisa GmbH, a leading developer, manufacture, and distributer of emergency lighting in the world, in its distribution arrangement;
• Represented DHL, a global logistics service provider, with various agency and distribution arrangements in a Key GCC jurisdiction;
• Represented Ulysse Nardin, a world leading luxury watch brand, in its business operations in the State of Kuwait, including proper termination of an agency arrangement and establishment of a favourable distribution arrangement;
• Counsel for Careem in various licensing and regulatory issues in several GCC states;
• Advised Kitopi, world’s leading managed cloud kitchen, with respect to its business structure in the state of Kuwait and its internal employment policies; and
• Represented the largest MENA dairy company, Al Marai Company in its distribution and agency arrangements outside of KSA within the GCC.

Capital Markets

• Represented DXB Entertainments, an UAE company, in the issuance of an AED 1.23 Billion convertible bond with the majority shareholder, Meraas;
• Represented Dana Gas, an UAE listed company, in the restructuring of a US$700 Million Sukuk, which has both a convertible and non-convertible tranche of US$ 350 Million each;
• Acted on behalf of Shuaa Capital, an UAE listed financial institution, in a complicated US$ 30 Million Voluntary Acquisition Offer transaction of Amwal Investment Company, a financial company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange;
• Represented HSBC Bank plc and Citigroup Global Markets Limited, in their joint capacity as Arrangers, with respect to a US$ 500 Million Euro Medium Term Note Programme with Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait KSCP;
• Representing Warba Bank, in its capacity as Issuer, in a US$ 500 Million Tier 1 Sukuk issuance, which is being led by Standard Chartered Bank as Lead Manager;
• Represented Boubyan Bank, in its capacity as Issuer, in the first Tier 1 Sukuk issuance in the State of Kuwait for US$250 Million, which was led by Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC as Joint Lead Managers;
• Represented Rasameel Structure Finance Company, as Lead Arranger, in the structuring of the first Sharia-compliant securitization of consumer receivables from Yusuf A. Al-Ghanim & Sons, the largest electronic retailer in the State of Kuwait (awarded IFN Sukuk Deal & Kuwait Country Deal of the Year for 2012);
• Represented United Real Estate Company, as its capacity as Issuer, in a KD 60 Million unsecured bond composed of two tranches of fixed and floating rates which was led by KAMCO, Burgan Bank and Gulf Bank as Joint Lead Managers and Arrangers;
• Acted as sole legal advisor to Commercial Bank of Kuwait , in its capacity as Issuer, and KIPCO Asset Management Company , in its capacity as Lead Arranger and Placement Agent, with respect to an unplaced issuance of a KD 120 Million conventional subordinated Tier II bond compliant with BASEL III regulations under Kuwaiti laws.

Banking & Finance

• Acted as legal advisor for Deutsche Bank AG in a ground-breaking sovereign debt issuance that allowed the Arab Republic of Egypt to secure a $500 million 7-year international commercial loan, insured by the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation;
• Acted on behalf of Standard Chartered Bank, which was the lead bank in the acquisition financing in the amount of US$ 2.4 billion to Alabbar Enterprises, a UAE company, in its acquisition of Kuwait Food Company (Americana) KCSP, a major Kuwait listed company;
• Acted on behalf of the Tata Group, the Indian conglomerate, in the structured finance transaction wherein its receivables from several African nations were rolled up and sold to an ADGM SPV, which in turn borrowed from ICICI Bank in India on a non-recourse basis;
• Appointed as transaction co-counsel with respect to a US$ 200 million financing from Natixis to ALAFCO with respect to five aircraft;
• Represented Arab African International Bank (AAIB) in connection with granting the Sixth of October Development and Investment Company (SODIC), through one of its subsidiaries, an EGP 3 billion real estate development finance for its residential projects “the Estates” and “the Estates Residence” in West Cairo;
• Represented Sky Investments for the Ownership and Management of Projects S.A.E. - as the ultimate shareholder of Proger Egypt for Engineering and Management S.A.E. - in connection with a multi-tranche and multi-currency medium-term financing of US$ 76,5 million and EGP 542 million granted by the Arab Investment Bank S.A.E. as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent and Arab African International Bank S.A.E. as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger to finance the construction of the new headquarters of Petrobel – Belayim Petroleum Company in Egypt;
• Represented El-Moher Car Trading, Import and Commercial Agencies “Abou Ghaly Motors” (AGM) - one of the leading companies in the automotive industry in Egypt - in connection with the financing provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance its fleet of range extended electric vehicles for the London Cab services in Cairo;
• Represented Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait in a cross-border finance transaction with Egypt Kuwait Holding Company, an Egyptian company, in lending US$ 108 million for the finance of certain gas projects in Egypt and the acquisition of a major stake of a listed Kuwait entity;
• Acted as lead counsel for Warba Bank in its Sharia-compliant structured finance acquisition of an US$ 66 million auto finance portfolio from Al Mulla International Finance Company;
• Acted as lead counsel for Commercial Bank of Kuwait, as Lead Arranger, in a syndicated loan financing transaction for Mohammed Al-Kharafi & Sons with respect to a major contract with the Amiri Diwan valued at KD 365 million (US$ 1.2 billion) regarding New Jahra Hospital in Kuwait; and
• Acted as sole legal counsel to National Bank of Kuwait on a US$ 200 million financing (included both credit instruments and cash facilities) of submersible oil pumping stations for Al Khorayef Group Company with respect to Kuwait Oil Company.

Construction & Projects

• Acting on behalf of Impulse International for Telecommunications Company, a Kuwait Investment Authority company, in its capacity as the project manager for the Kuwait Government in its US$ One Billion strategic alliance with Google to set up a local office, open multiple data centers to provide organizations the ability to host data/resources within the Google Cloud in Kuwait, and support the government migrating its systems onto the cloud;
• Acting as Lenders’ counsel for e& and Gulf Investment Corporation in relation to the Kuwait Telecommunications Network Development Project procured by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects and Kuwait’s Ministry of Communication;
• Represent National Technology Enterprises Company, a Kuwait Investment Authority company, with respect to the joint development with Jinko Power (HK) Company Limited of the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy – Phase III – Zone 1 Solar PV IPP Kuwait;
• In the largest project in the history of the Sultanate of Oman, represented EnerTech, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Investment Authority with consortium members Shell PLC, OQ, and InterContinental Energy in an international consortium undertaking the development of an integrated green hydrogen mega project, which is set to encompass 25 gigawatts (GW) of renewable solar and wind energy, aiming to produce millions of tons of zero-carbon green hydrogen annually;
• Represented the National Company for Education Services and Training, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Investment Authority, in a ground-breaking collaboration between Abdullah Al-Salem University (AASU) and King’s College London to establish the “College of Medicine and Health Sciences” at AASU;
• Represented a consortium including Hayat Communications and Ahmadiah Construction in a landmark billion deal to build data centers across Kuwait in collaboration with Google;
• Acted for National Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Finance House, as Lead Arrangers, with respect to the syndicated project financing of US$ 800 Million to Limak Insaat, a Turkish company, with respect to the construction of the New Kuwait International Airport;
• Acted for Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, a state-owned entity, in connection with a Sharia compliant syndicated finance deal for an amount of US$ 460 Million from Warba Bank, Ahli United Bank and Kuwait International Bank, which was used to purchase eight (8) oil tankers;
• Represented Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company, a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, in securing US$ 2.3 Billion in finance from both local and foreign banks to fund its liquified natural gas project; and
• Represented Kuwait National Petroleum Company, as the borrower, in a corporate syndicated financing of up to $10.3 Billion for the upgrade and expansion of the Mina Abdullah Refinery and Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery in Kuwait known as the Clean Fuel Project.

Anti-Trust & Competiton

• AdvisedWerfen and Seegene Korean healthcare products providers as co-counsel with Cuatrecasas, filing an economic concentration application for their intended joint venture which has a significant effect over multiple GCC countries.
• AdvisedWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc. as co-counsel with DLA Piper UK LLP with respect to filing and economic concentration application and securing merger control clearance on the mega-deal involving the sale of shares in Formula E Holdings to LGCI Holdings Limited and Liberty Global Broadband I Limited. Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming.
• Successfully obtained Waiver Certificate on Behalf of SITA N.V. in the Purchase of Majority Stake in Materna IPS GmbH and Materna IPS India Private Limited. Despite meeting the financial threshold, we successfully secured a No Notification Required Certificate from the Saudi General Authority for Competition on behalf of SITA N.V., demonstrating that the transaction neither directly nor indirectly impacts the Saudi market. SITA N.V. is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology.
• Acting as a local counsel, GLA adviseda European industrial company as co-counsel with Legance concerning filing an economic concentration application and securing merger control clearance for acquiring a weapons systems business unit from another major European defence company.
• AdvisedTahweel Integrated Company as co-counsel with Sidley Austin with respect to filing an economic concentration application and securing merger control clearance for acquiring a majority stake in Nile Investment Company from its owner, OSD International. Tahweel is a major plastic pipes manufacturer based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tahweel leads on various products and markets such as; retail and wholesale trading of plastic products; manufacturing of plastic pipes and fittings; and plastic thin film production.
• Advised Italian Mapei S.p.A. on its acquisition of 100% of the shareholding in Saudi-based Bituminous Products Limited Company ("Bitumat") by securing merger control clearance from the Kuwait Competition Protection Agency and on the restructuring of Bitumat's operations in Kuwait. Mapei is an Italian-based leading global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants, and other chemical products for the building industry and has a long history of supplying many significant projects across the Middle East.
• Advised Cognita Limited as co-counsel with Addleshaw Goddard with respect to filing an economic concentration application and securing merger control clearance on in its acquisition of Universe Education Company K.S.C.C. Cognita is an extraordinary community of diverse yet connected schools, spanning sixteen different countries. With over 100 schools in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and India and North America, Cognita employs 15,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 85,000 students world wide.
• Advised Columna Capital Group as co-counsel with ECIJA with respect to filing and economic concentration application and securing merger control clearance on behalf of Columna Capital Group in its acquisition of a 72.5% stake in Zumex Group worldwide portfolio through a mutually agreed binding offer. Columna Capital is a private equity investment company based in London, UK whose main activity is to invest in lower-mid market companies with revenues of certain annual figures among different European countries such as Austria, France, Italy, Spain, or Switzerland in a wide range of sectors including healthcare, animal health and other services.

Employment & Benefits

• Guided a global technology company with offices in the UAE and KSA in obtaining work permits for a large number of expatriate employees, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and facilitating a smooth onboarding process;
• Assisted a prominent financial institution based in Qatar in negotiating employment contracts for senior executives, focusing on compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with corporate policies;
• Represented a multinational manufacturing firm operating in Bahrain in resolving disputes related to the termination of expatriate employees, successfully navigating local labor laws and minimizing exposure to litigation;
• Conducted comprehensive audits for a regional healthcare provider with operations in Oman to ensure compliance with employment laws and benefits regulations, identifying areas for improvement and risk mitigation;
• Provided legal advice to a large petrochemical company based in Kuwait on residency issues affecting its expatriate workforce, helping to resolve complex regulatory challenges and streamline processes;
• Advised a major retail chain with a presence across the GCC on the design and implementation of a competitive employee benefits program that complies with local regulations while attracting and retaining talent;
• Assisted a construction firm operating in the UAE in managing labor disputes arising from work conditions, facilitating negotiations with employee representatives to reach amicable settlements;
• Worked with a tech startup based in Bahrain to develop employment policies and procedures that comply with local laws, ensuring compliance while fostering a positive workplace culture;
• Conducted training sessions for HR personnel at a multinational corporation with offices in Saudi Arabia on employment law compliance, focusing on best practices for managing a diverse workforce; and
• Advised a client with operations in the GCC on employment-related due diligence in a merger, assessing potential liabilities and ensuring compliance with employment contracts and local regulations.

Data & Technology

• Assisted a financial services client based in the UAE in developing a comprehensive data protection regulatory framework to ensure compliance with local laws and international standards;
• Advised a major healthcare provider operating in Saudi Arabia on data governance practices, helping to implement policies that safeguard patient information and comply with regulatory requirements;
• Supported a telecommunications company in Kuwait in negotiating and drafting telecommunications contracts that align with local regulations and facilitate expansion into new markets;
• Facilitated e-commerce contracts for a retail client with operations across the GCC, ensuring compliance with regional regulations and streamlining online sales processes;
• Provided legal advice to an educational institution in Qatar regarding data breach response programs, helping to establish protocols for managing potential data breaches effectively;
• Conducted corporate due diligence for a technology firm acquiring a startup in Bahrain, focusing on data-related assets and compliance with data protection laws;
• Assisted a media company in the UAE with licensing and regulatory compliance for advertising content, ensuring adherence to local laws and cultural sensitivities;
• Developed a cloud regulatory compliance strategy for a multinational client with operations in Oman, addressing local legal requirements and data sovereignty issues;
• Advised a gaming company on e-gaming facilitation and regulatory compliance in the GCC, ensuring alignment with emerging laws and industry standards;
• Supported an entertainment firm in negotiating data-related contracts for the distribution of digital content across multiple platforms in the MENA region;
• Provided regulatory advice to a cryptocurrency startup based in Bahrain, helping navigate the complex landscape of digital asset regulations;
• Assisted a healthcare technology company in the UAE with intellectual asset commercialization and licensing agreements, facilitating the launch of new health tech solutions;
• Developed a cybersecurity regulatory compliance program for a financial institution operating in Kuwait, addressing both local and international cybersecurity standards; and
• Advised a major retail brand on the legal implications of using consumer data for targeted advertising in the GCC, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

Dispute Resolution

• Successfully defended a main contractor to a multi-billion dollar oil refinery project in Kuwait against several subcontractor claims, resulting in numerous dismissals of claims and other favourable settlements.
• Successfully represented a main contractor to a multi-billion-dollar oil refinery project before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and secured an award in the amount of USD 180 million against the project owner for claims of excusable and compensable delays incurred on the project.
• Successfully represented a contractor to a BOT contract in Kuwait against the project owner claiming compensation for additional works exceeding USD 19 million.
• Successfully represented a consortium in an ICC arbitral proceeding seated in Houston, Texas, USA, successfully defendingUSD 45 millionin contract claims asserted against our clients relating to overseas module transportation in connection with an EPC project in the GCC, resulting in dismissal of multiple clients and securing a net costs award in our remaining client's favour;
• Secured amultimillion-dollarICC Dispute Review Board claim, including an award of attorneys' fees, on behalf of a US-based, multinational EPC contractor, in a Paris-seated proceeding administered by the ICC International Centre for ADR. The contractor's claim against the project owner related to unforeseeable site conditions arising out of the construction of an oil refinery megaproject in the GCC;
• Won substantial ICC dispute board claim, including award of attorneys' fees, on behalf of the same EPC contractor, in another Paris-seated proceeding administered by the ICC International Centre for ADR. The contractor's claim related to contractual entitlement to an award of significant schedule and quantum relief based on changes in law and restrictions imposed by the local government in response to COVID-19, during construction of an oil refinery in the GCC;
• Represented an EPC contractor in bringing claims for entitlement to disputed change orders, and associated losses, in the construction of a major oil refinery in the GCC;
• Represented amajor US defence contractorin lease related matter against a local real estate company;
• Represented amultinational construction JVin litigation values at USD 150,000,000;
• Represented aforeign bankin a criminal case worth KD 10,100,000;
• Represented anItalian construction companyin litigation values at USD 115,00,000;
• Represented a prominentItalian petrochemical companyin its dispute with a governmental entity for an amount reaching US$152,565,348;

Kuwait

Kuwait City

Arraya Tower II

36th and 37th Floors

Al Shuhada Street

Sharq,Kuwait

Tel:+965 2291 5800

UAE

Dubai

O14 Tower, Level 14

Al Abraj Street

Business Bay

Dubai,United Arab Emirates28240

Abu Dhabi

24th Floor, Al Sila Tower

Abu Dhabi Global Market Square

Al Maryah Island

Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates

KSA

Riyadh

8th Floor, M7 Tower

King Fahad Road

Riyadh,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

AlKhobar

Level 21, Gate Tower,

King Fahd Road, Albandariyah,

3442-2951,

Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Egypt

Cairo

Hyde Park, HPO/B3-1/119 &120

New Cairo, 5th Settlement,

Cairo,Egypt

Qatar

Doha

Level 15, Al Qassar(Gassar) Tower, No. 27

Doha, Qatar

Bahrain

Manama

Suite 11, Building 240, Road 1704

Diplomatic Area 317, P.O. Box 11777

Kingdom of Bahrain