Capital Markets | Global

Staffing regional matters from its well-established offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the A&O Shearman capital markets department 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.

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. Its impressive Middle East credentials are further illustrated by its market-leading Saudi Arabian capital markets team, centred in Riyadh. 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, acting on a growing number of 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 is also well regarded for representing government entities in sovereign debt issuances.

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 located 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 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.

Simmons & Simmons has a flourishing Middle East practice which is regularly active on matters relating to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Its lawyers offer advice on the full range of debt capital markets instruments, with a focus on sukuk issuances. The firm's clients include prominent financial institutions and corporate entities across the region.