LAWYER PROFILE

Michael Savva

Global 2026

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-Contentious

United Arab Emirates

2 years ranked

Banking & Finance

United Arab Emirates

1 year ranked

About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Practice Areas

Michael is a Partner in the Finance Group.

Michael specialises in cross-border finance transactions across a variety of sectors including maritime (various types of ships and container boxes), aviation (helicopters, corporate jets and commercial aircraft) and sport.

He advises financiers, owners and operators on a wide range of domestic and international asset and structured finance products including debt and equity financing and leasing, as well as on restructurings and work-outs. Michael also provides regulatory and enforcement advice across a range of sectors.

Michael has particular expertise in Islamic finance, ranging from acting for banks on Murabaha financings in the aviation and offshore oil and gas sectors to Ijara leasing transactions in respect of various types of equipment and container boxes.

Career

Michael is recommended as an expert UAE-based finance lawyer by legal directory Legal 500 EMEA 2019 and as a leading helicopter finance lawyer by Corporate Jet Investor magazine. He is a member of the editorial board of website LawInSport.com.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-Contentious - United Arab Emirates

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Michael Savva is a well-known name who has a growing reputation in asset finance matters. He is a frequent adviser to lenders on shipping mandates, with experience of acting for many of the region's leading banks.

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Banking & Finance - United Arab Emirates

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Michael Savva heads up Watson Farley & Williams' Middle East asset and structured finance group in Dubai. He regularly advises high-profile international and regional clients on conventional and Islamic financings, including acquisition financing matters.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Michael Savva is a subject matter expert.
Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-ContentiousChambers Global Guide
Michael Savva has extensive knowledge of shipping, banking and finance. He is very approachable, calm and composed.
Transportation: Shipping: Finance & Non-ContentiousChambers Global Guide
Michael Savva has extensive subject matter knowledge and is very approachable, calm and composed.
Banking & FinanceChambers Global Guide
Michael is highly responsive and consistently available, often resolving issues proactively without us needing to ask. He demonstrates strong expertise in resolving complex legal matters efficiently.
Banking & FinanceChambers Global Guide