Capital Markets | Global

At the time of writing, Allen & Overy is set to merge with Shearman & Sterling in the first half of 2024. The merger enhances an already-impressive practice, which 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, with particularly strong capabilities in debt 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 securitisation and Islamic derivatives. Clifford Chance acts for a diverse array of clients both locally and throughout the GCC.

The Dubai office of Dentons maintains a respected capital markets practice with robust capabilities in the UAE and throughout the MENA region. The firm is especially notable for its debt work and is also regularly sought out for its oft-praised knowledge of various Shari'a-compliant instruments, most notably sukuk. Its lawyers act for a wide range of clients including issuers, underwriters and arrangers. Dentons additionally has a solid bond restructuring 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.

Linklaters' capital markets team in Dubai regularly assists with high-profile transactions. The firm is frequently 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 is complemented by a robust equity practice.

White & Case is highly acclaimed for its capital markets expertise. It regularly assists with conventional and Shari'a-compliant 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. Alongside its enviable debt practice, the firm also has a strong track record overseeing IPOs and other equity mandates.

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.

Al Tamimi & Company is a highly regarded regional law firm with a robust capital markets team based in Dubai. It offers a full-service practice with strong capabilities in both equity and debt capital markets. The firm regularly assists with IPOs and rights issuances, as well as bond issuances, securitisation and sukuk. Al Tamimi represents issuer clients hailing from a range of sectors, and is also well versed in acting for underwriters.

Hadef & Partners is an independent Emirati law firm with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It has an experienced capital markets team that advises a wide range of local and regional clients on IPOs and follow-on offerings, with complementary expertise in public M&A.