Capital Markets | Global

Staffing matters from its well-established offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, A&O Shearman has long been a significant presence on major region-wide mandates in the Middle East. Commentators are unanimous in their praise for the team and the quality of its advice. The firm is regarded as a standout in DCM, where its work has a strong emphasis on sukuk issuances. The team also has extensive experience in equity issuances, IPOs, securitisations and hybrid transactions. It is equally capable of acting for sovereign entities, development banks and Islamic financial institutions. In 2024, the firm is set to merge with Shearman & Sterling, bolstering its regional capital markets team still further. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Clifford Chance has an acclaimed regional capital markets practice which is regularly instructed on sovereign issuances and other high-profile transactions. The firm offers a depth of experience in both debt and equity, with a large team on the ground in the UAE. In 2023, Clifford Chance also became one of the first international law firms to be issued a legal practice licence in Saudi Arabia, further illustrating the firm's impressive Middle East credentials. The regional capital markets group is well known for its structured finance work, complemented by a dedicated financial products team specialising in derivatives and structured products.

Latham & Watkins has a well-established capital markets practice in the Middle East which is known for its representation of governments and government-related entities in a wide range of transactions. It is especially strong on Saudi Arabian transactions, staffing such matters from Riyadh, Dubai and London. Latham's lawyers maintain strong client relationships with several investment banks operating in the region and are frequently active on sukuk transactions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The firm is increasingly prominent in equity capital markets, having recently acted on a number of IPOs.

Linklaters offers clients a highly experienced Middle East capital markets team with all-round expertise in both debt and equity. The firm's ability ranges from structured finance through to sukuk and Shari'a-compliant derivatives. The team wins further recognition for its excellent work in regulatory matters as well as high-profile transactions, and it continues to act on equity and equity-linked deals. The Middle East practice is predominantly centred in Dubai but active on transactions across the region. Clients include numerous banks and financial institutions as well as high-profile issuers from a range of sectors.

White & Case is a significant presence across the Middle East, yet it is most frequently praised for its capital markets work relating to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. Its lawyers are well known for their expertise in Islamic finance and DCM work, and act for many of the region's most prominent Islamic banks. In addition to its commendable debt practice, the firm also advises on a number of significant IPOs.

Dechert is active on matters across the Middle East, principally calling upon the expertise of its lawyers based in London and Dubai. Its well-established practice has particular strengths in matters originating in Egypt and the Levant. The firm represents government entities in sovereign debt issuances and is also experienced in equity matters such as IPOs and rights issuances.

Dentons has a significant presence in the region, with offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Qatar, as well as associated offices in Jordan and Lebanon. The firm is well recognised for its debt practice, with a strong standing in the market when it comes to sukuk issuances. Another noted strength is its bond restructuring practice. The team represents a range of issuers, dealers, underwriters and investors, and is capable of advising on Rule 144A transactions. Dentons frequently represents sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities in Shari'a-compliant transactions.

The Dubai office of Akin is increasingly prominent as a result of the expertise it offers in capital markets transactions across the Middle East. Its lawyers handle the full spectrum of DCM matters, on both a conventional and Shari'a-compliant basis. The firm adeptly assists clients both inside and outside the region with high-value debt restructurings, sukuk issuances and securitisation.

Al Tamimi & Company is a strong regional law firm with offices across nine countries in the Middle East, in addition to a newly launched presence in Morocco. It has particular capital markets strengths in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, and is especially known for ECM work. The firm regularly leads matters in its own right and is also often sought out as local counsel by international law firms with regard to transactions across the region. Al Tamimi is increasingly present in DCM, most notably in sukuk and securitisations, and represents a wide range of clients, with strong experience working for regulators and government authorities.

With offices in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, Baker McKenzie is known for its considerable strength across the region. Its large Middle East team has experience advising on the full range of equity and debt issuances, including IPOs and sukuk. Baker McKenzie's clients include major Islamic banks, venture capital firms and insurance companies.