Ranking tables
Global United Arab Emirates Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based
In-depth overview
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: An Introduction
JURISDICTION
The UAE is a country located in the Arabian Gulf and has seen remarkable and unprecedented growth,...
Authored by Horizons & Co Law Firm
Senior Statespeople
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
Marcus Booth White & Case LLP
Sami Al-Louzi White & Case LLP
William Seivewright DLA Piper Middle East LLP- Chris LesterLatham & Watkins LLP
Band 5
- Darren Harris Clyde & Co LLP
- Deniz Tas Clifford Chance LLP
Haitham Hawashin Baker Botts L.L.P.- Imtiaz Shah Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP
- John O'Connor CMS (UAE) LLP
- Naji Hawayek Clyde & Co LLP
Philip Dowsett Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Rupert Harper Covington & Burling LLP
Thérèse Abou-Zeid DLA Piper Middle East LLP- Eyad LatifLatham & Watkins LLP
- Matthew PowellSquire Patton Boggs
Up and Coming
Richard Hughes DLA Piper Middle East LLP- Chris WaltersHerbert Smith Freehills
Senior Statespeople
S Jonathan Silver
Clyde & Co LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Senior Statespeople |Jonathan Silver is a longstanding lawyer whose expertise encompasses M&A, joint ventures, restructurings and private equity matters. He also has a significant track record in entity structurings and foreign direct investment.
Band 1
1 Marwan Elaraby
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 1 |Marwan Elaraby is a highly accomplished transactional lawyer who advises on acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and ECM matters. He is particularly well known for his significant track record of acting for major clients in the oil and gas sector. Active throughout the region, he maintains an especially prolific practice in Egypt and recently joined Gibson Dunn after leaving Shearman & Sterling.1 Mohammed Al-Shukairy
Clifford Chance LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 1 |Mohammed Al-Shukairy is Clifford Chance's regional managing partner and is an accomplished lawyer in high-profile outbound acquisitions. He is also noted for his considerable expertise regarding mergers in the financial services sector.
1 Pervez Akhtar
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 1 |Pervez Akhtar is an eminent lawyer who is widely considered a top choice for private equity and M&A transactions in the UAE and further afield. He regularly handles ground-breaking acquisitions on behalf of venture capital firms, sovereign wealth funds and clients in the energy and education sectors.
1 Scott Campbell
Linklaters | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 1 |Scott Campbell is widely acclaimed for his considerable experience in cross-border M&A transactions. He is especially seasoned in representing major regional clients in acquisitions, disposals and corporate finance transactions.
Band 2
2 David Foster
Allen & Overy LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 2 |David Foster has fast become a go-to lawyer for market-leading M&A transactions in the UAE. As regional head of corporate in the Dubai office, he is very experienced in cross-border mergers, equity investments and joint ventures, acting particularly for clients in the education sector.2 Mike TaylorClifford Chance LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 2 |Mike Taylor is a well-respected lawyer with a lengthy track record in cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures and ECM transactions. He also has noteworthy expertise in private equity matters.2 Zubair Mir
Norton Rose Fulbright | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 2 |"Our primary reason for dealing with Norton Rose is Zubair, who is extremely professional and at the same time understands the underlying commercial issues. His strength lies in being able to provide solutions which cover the issues of all parties."
Band 3
3 Andrew Johnston
Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 3 |Andrew Johnston is Addleshaw Goddard's regional managing partner and is renowned for his extensive capabilities in international M&A and private equity transactions, as well as joint ventures. He is well versed in acting for clients from the food and beverage, education, hospitality and retail sectors.
3 Nabil Issa
King & Spalding LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 3 |Nabil Issa is a well-known lawyer with a remarkably broad practice that encompasses M&A, private equity and investment funds. He splits his time between Dubai and Riyadh and is widely esteemed for his expertise concerning the Saudi Arabian market.3 Zeid Hanania
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP - Dubai | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 3 |Zeid Hanania is a Dubai-based corporate lawyer who is widely considered to be a go-to for cross-border M&A transactions, with considerable experience in private equity, strategic joint ventures and inbound investments. He is particularly adept at representing venture capital firms.
Band 4
4 Marcus Booth
White & Case LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 4 |Marcus Booth is a highly regarded Dubai-based lawyer who leads White & Case's regional private equity practice. In this arena, he acts for leading private equity houses, venture capital entities and sovereign wealth funds on cross-border buyouts and major corporate structuring matters.4 Sami Al-LouziWhite & Case LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 4 |Sami Al-Louzi is a highly-capable lawyer who is well versed in cross-border M&A and often mandated on ground-breaking transactions. In addition to his M&A practice, he offers expertise in privatisations and ECM work. He is based in Dubai and is especially experienced in corporate transactions within Saudi Arabia.4 William Seivewright
DLA Piper Middle East LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 4 |William Seivewright is an experienced M&A lawyer who is currently DLA's regional head of corporate. He regularly acts for clients in the real estate, telecoms and energy sectors on cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures.
Band 5
5 Darren HarrisClyde & Co LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Darren Harris has a notable track record in cross-border M&A, acting for both domestic and international clients. He is especially experienced in private equity transactions and has further expertise in corporate restructurings. He joined Clyde & Co in May 2023 after leaving PwC Legal.5 Deniz TasClifford Chance LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |"Deniz was effective and efficient at coordinating multiple work streams and working with a number of different advisers. He was also highly effective in negotiating with counterparties and thinking outside the box to unlock deal bottlenecks."5 Haitham Hawashin
Baker Botts L.L.P. | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Haitham Hawashin of Baker Botts is a Dubai-based lawyer who is well versed in M&A transactions involving major regional financial institutions. He also regularly acts for private equity clients and is accomplished in cross-border securities offerings.5 Imtiaz Shah
Hogan Lovells (Middle East) LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Imtiaz Shah leads Hogan Lovells' corporate practice in Dubai and is esteemed for his experience in M&A transactions, joint ventures and private equity. He is also particularly noted for representing clients in the luxury brands arena.5 John O'Connor
CMS (UAE) LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |John O'Connor is head of corporate in Dubai. He is a well-established figure in the market whose wide-ranging practice covers buyouts and joint venture structuring in addition to group reorganisations and various commercial contracts considerations.5 Naji HawayekClyde & Co LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Naji Hawayek assumed the role of Middle East head of corporate during 2022. He is well known for his capabilities in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, often acting for clients in the education, construction and healthcare sectors.5 Philip DowsettAddleshaw Goddard LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Philip Dowsett is a highly proficient lawyer based in Dubai who is accomplished in acting for private equity and venture capital firms on acquisitions and strategic investments. He also has notable experience relating to the healthcare and education sectors. He recently joined Addleshaw after leaving Dechert.5 Rupert Harper
Covington & Burling LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Rupert Harper of Covington & Burling is a seasoned lawyer who advises on acquisitions and sales as well as corporate structuring matters, both within the UAE and across the region. He is also experienced in private equity and strategic investment mandates.5 Thérèse Abou-ZeidDLA Piper Middle East LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Band 5 |Thérèse Abou-Zeid is a well-regarded lawyer who regularly acts for major regional clients on high-profile acquisitions. She also demonstrates strength in sales and equity investments, with a strong track record in the pharma and healthcare space.
Up and Coming
U Richard HughesDLA Piper Middle East LLP | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Up and Coming |Richard Hughes has a growing reputation in the M&A arena. He operates an impressive transactional and commercial advisory practice, assisting clients across a range of sectors on both domestic and cross-border mandates. His clients typically hail from the aviation, construction and healthcare sectors.- Chris WaltersHerbert Smith Freehills | Corporate/M&A: Dubai-based2023 | Up and Coming