Capital Markets: Debt | Global

A&O Shearman is noted for its deep bench of distinguished lawyers across both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is regularly highlighted for its sukuk work and possesses equally significant hybrid securities expertise. The firm frequently advises clients on debut issuances, and has a very strong equity capital markets group which represents major investment banks in market-leading regional IPOs. The team is very experienced acting for issuers as well as underwriters, and represents a client base active in the energy and real estate industries, among others.

Clifford Chance maintains a pre-eminent practice in the UAE for both debt and equity capital markets. Its lawyers have deep experience in sukuk and sovereign bonds, demonstrating particular strength in Rule 144A offerings. The firm also has considerable experience assisting with securities regulatory issues and hybrid transactions, in addition to guiding a diverse array of clients through market-leading IPOs both locally and throughout the GCC.

Linklaters' capital markets team in Dubai regularly assists with high-profile transactions. The firm is mainly noted for its strength in debt capital markets and advises various entities on bond issuances and sukuk structures. Its lawyers are often mandated by financial institutions and have further experience representing issuers in the insurance and property sectors. The team regularly advises on sovereign sukuk issuances by states throughout the Middle East and further afield. The firm's enviable capabilities in debt capital markets are complemented by a robust equity practice.

Latham & Watkins offers an experienced team in Dubai which is active on cross-border matters throughout the Middle East. The firm has a particular reputation for its expertise in Saudi transactions and also has strong experience of working with sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities. Its lawyers are well versed in major sukuk transactions, complemented by their wider skills in Islamic finance and Shari'a-compliant products. Latham is also adept at equity matters, often representing underwriters in IPOs. In addition to transactional work, the firm frequently provides regulatory advice to domestic and international clients, and assists with liability management and restructuring issues.

White & Case's Dubai office is highly acclaimed for its capital markets expertise. Demonstrating particular prowess in equity mandates, the firm has a strong track record overseeing pioneering IPOs and other equity offerings, with notable activity on Saudi Arabian transactions. Alongside its enviable equity practice, the firm regularly assists with conventional and Shari'a-compliant debt transactions, including sukuk and sovereign bonds. The team's major clients include Abu Dhabi and Dubai state-owned entities, as well as longstanding regional giants such as Saudi Aramco.

Akin Gump's Dubai-based capital markets team has rapidly established itself as a major player for debt issuances. It is especially renowned for sukuk, in which field the team represents numerous Islamic banks. Its lawyers have further expertise in Shari'a regulatory matters. Of late, the firm has advised on a number of capital markets issuances originating in Turkey.

The Dubai office of Simmons & Simmons fields a dedicated capital markets team with an emphasis on both conventional debt and sukuk. Its lawyers are adept at advising regional and international banks, and the team as a whole is best known for its cross-border work in the Middle East, covering jurisdictions such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.