LAWYER PROFILE

Bilal Ahmad

Global 2026

A&O Shearman

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Capital Markets: Debt

United Arab Emirates

14 years ranked

Capital Markets: Debt

Middle East-wide

10 years ranked

Islamic Finance

Middle East-wide

10 years ranked

Capital Markets: Debt

United Arab Emirates

10 years ranked

Capital Markets

Saudi Arabia

10 years ranked

About

Provided by A&O Shearman

Practice Areas

Bilal regularly advises on debt capital markets and sukuk transactions (both Regulation S and Rule 144A issues) for emerging markets issuers.

Bilal also advises on convertible securities, hybrid and regulatory capital issues, liability management transactions and securitization transactions. In the Chambers Global 2024 directories, Bilal is ranked in Band 1 across two separate categories (Middle East-wide Capital Markets: Debt and United Arab Emirates Capital Markets: Debt).

In the IFLR1000 2024 rankings, Bilal is recognized as “Highly Regarded” in the UAE across two separate categories (Capital Markets: Debt and Islamic Finance). In the Legal 500 2024 rankings, Bilal is recognized as a “Leading Individual” for Capital Markets in the UAE.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Capital Markets - Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, expertise based abroad in United Arab Emirates

Individual Editorial

Bilal Ahmad of A&O Shearman has extensive experience handling debt capital markets and sukuk transactions for clients based in the Kingdom, as well as acting for underwriting banks in the wider region. He is based in Dubai.

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Capital Markets: Debt - Middle East-wide

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Bilal Ahmad is based in Dubai and is an eminent sukuk lawyer. He is accomplished in acting for financial institutions, most regularly in their capacities as arrangers and dealers, on both domestic and international transactions. He is also experienced in conventional debt capital markets.

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Capital Markets: Debt - United Arab Emirates

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Bilal Ahmad is widely recognised as a market leader in sukuk, both within the UAE and in Saudi Arabia. He is equally skilled at acting for issuers and arrangers, and his clientele includes real estate companies as well as domestic and international financial institutions. He is particularly experienced in acting on debut sukuk issuances.

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Islamic Finance - Middle East-wide

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Bilal Ahmad is based in Dubai and is praised by sources as a leading lawyer in Islamic finance, with particular prominence in the field of sukuk. He is especially proficient in acting for arrangers and dealers on Shari'a-compliant issuances relating to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

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Capital Markets: Debt - United Arab Emirates

Foreign expert in Saudi Arabia

Individual Editorial

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Bilal Ahmad really supports us. He's exceptionally capable, very level-headed and good to work with.
Capital MarketsChambers Global Guide
Bilal Ahman is very responsive, practical and always helps to figure out how to get things done.
Capital Markets: DebtChambers Global Guide
Bilal Ahmad is invaluable to the success of our most strategic transactions.
Islamic FinanceChambers Global Guide
Bilal Ahmad is exceptionally capable, very level-headed and good to work with.
Islamic FinanceChambers Global Guide