Banking & Finance | Global

Allen & Overy has long been one of the foremost law firms in the Middle East, with deep experience in various aspects of commercial lending. In 2024 the firm is set to expand significantly through its merger with US law firm Shearman & Sterling, adding an even greater international dimension to its UAE finance practice. 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.

Clifford Chance has an impressive team with robust offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that continue to lead the market for professional legal services in banking and finance. The firm advises on a broad spectrum of finance matters and possesses complementary expertise in capital markets and corporate/M&A. It is also noted for its dedicated Islamic finance practice and extensive experience in aviation finance, where it often works in conjunction with the firm's highly rated asset finance practice in London. It is equally highly esteemed for restructuring and insolvency mandates, in which area the firm fields a highly experienced bench of lawyers. The firm also has a dedicated regulatory team, which has become increasingly active in growing areas such as fintech.

The Dubai office of Linklaters features an esteemed bench of lawyers who advise leading investment banks on the full spectrum of finance matters. The department is notable for its experience of development and structured finance and also widely recognised for its advice on syndicated loans and debt restructuring. The team's other areas of expertise include acquisition finance, real estate finance and banking regulatory matters. Linklaters is equally well known for its Islamic finance expertise, with several major transactions featuring a Shari'a-compliant tranche. The firm is a popular choice as lenders' counsel, while also very experienced acting for borrowers.

The Dubai office of Addleshaw Goddard acts for a host of international financial institutions and regional corporate clients on both lender and borrower-side mandates. The firm offers an expanding finance practice and is noted for its complementary expertise in restructuring and insolvency mandates. The firm also benefits from expertise in Islamic finance, with lawyers advising on matters throughout the region.

Al Tamimi is acknowledged for its strong regional presence and broad expertise in all aspects of banking and finance. The firm is particularly noted for its local law capability. Its lawyers are adept at assisting both lenders and developers with project finance matters. The team is also notable for its standout regulatory practice and the respect in which it is held by financial regulatory bodies. Al Tamimi's breadth of practice is reflected in the firm's client list, which includes major regional and international banks.

Dentons is a respected law firm offering significant banking expertise from its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices. Particularly eminent in Islamic finance, the team often advises on Shari'a-compliant financings, sukuk and hybrid conventional/Islamic facilities. Its lawyers are regularly mandated on cross-border matters in territories including Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The firm also assists domestic and international entities with project financing, refinancing and restructuring. Dentons possesses further expertise in trade and asset finance, with syndicated finance a prominent feature of its workload too. Its clients include financial institutions, corporations and multilaterals.

Freshfields offers a compact practice with a strong reputation in the Dubai market. The firm has particular experience acting on leveraged and acquisition finance matters, providing invaluable support to the firm's top-tier M&A group. In this regard the finance team regularly acts for some of the Middle East's leading private equity houses. Its clientele also includes corporate borrowers from across the MENA region as well as leading Shari'a-compliant banks.

Norton Rose Fulbright's Dubai-based banking and finance team is a respected name with a strong regional reputation for both conventional and Shari'a-compliant financing. The firm has a long history in Islamic finance and is often sought out to advise on Shari'a regulatory issues. Its lawyers act for a blue-chip roster of international clients, including major investment banks and high-profile borrowers. The team regularly assists with cross-border syndicated financings. Norton Rose also demonstrates an extensive project finance practice.

DLA Piper is an esteemed international law firm noted for its strong regional offering. Its Dubai-based team advises both borrowers and lenders on a range of matters, including acquisition and project finance. The firm also offers a dedicated restructuring and insolvency team which is especially skilled in project-related restructurings. It has further expertise in financial regulation and derivatives, as well as trade and Islamic finance.

Latham & Watkins is a highly regarded presence in the Dubai market that frequently assists with the finance aspects of energy and infrastructure projects. The team has considerable expertise in Islamic finance. It advises on a variety of matters including real estate finance and sovereign sukuk. Its lawyers cater for a range of clients including corporate borrowers, project sponsors, private equity houses and financial institutions. Latham & Watkins regularly advises on major transactions in Saudi Arabia. The firm is prolific in restructuring and insolvency mandates, both within the UAE and across the region.

White & Case is a respected name with well-established offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm has a strong regional reputation for both conventional and Shari'a-compliant financing. It acts for a blue-chip roster of international clients, including major investment banks and high-profile borrowers. The firm maintains a formidable project finance practice capable of handling construction, oil and gas, and development finance matters. Its lawyers are well versed in all forms of corporate financing, including syndicated and asset finance. The team's further areas of expertise include Islamic finance, derivatives and structured finance, while it is also widely respected for its capabilities in debt restructuring.

Afridi & Angell is a well-established UAE-headquartered law firm with considerable experience across the full spectrum of banking and finance. The firm often advises large international clients on regulatory matters and facility agreements. The team is highly skilled in restructuring loan facilities on behalf of both domestic and multinational financial institutions. Its lawyers are also prominent in project finance and syndicated finance, as well as Islamic finance.

Baker McKenzie is widely noted as a solid presence in both the transactional and regulatory arenas. Its Dubai office regularly advises on Islamic financing facilities and has experience representing both lenders and borrowers. Other areas of expertise include trade and real estate finance, as well as fintech.

Hadef & Partners is a respected, independent UAE law firm with a noteworthy finance practice. The team's lawyers frequently act as domestic counsel alongside international law firms on major cross-border transactions. Hadef has noteworthy project finance expertise, encompassing the financing of IWPPs and renewable energy projects. It is equally capable of advising on Shari'a-compliant transactions and banking regulatory matters.

Pinsent Masons maintains a reputable banking practice from its Dubai office, assisting a number of leading regional and international banks and financial institutions with cross-border transactions. Its client roster is active in sectors such as real estate, energy and infrastructure. The firm is also well regarded for its financial regulation expertise and its advice on project finance matters across the GCC.

Watson Farley & Williams offers clients a strong international practice with a focus on asset and project finance. Lawyers in the team frequently act for lenders and borrowers on the financing and refinancing of marine assets. The firm also acts on the financing of energy projects including solar farms.