Corporate/M&A | Global

A&O Shearman is an esteemed law firm which has a pre-eminent reputation for corporate and M&A work in the UAE. With offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the firm is well recognised for handling high-stakes M&A deals across a wide spectrum of industries, most significantly in financial services, healthcare and education. The team's lawyers are well placed to assist its top-flight client base with joint ventures and disposals, and have further noteworthy expertise in energy and technology-related transactions. The team's other areas of expertise include group restructurings and corporate governance matters.

Clifford Chance operates a premier practice in the UAE with exceptional expertise in major M&A deals across the Middle East. The team represents clients from a broad range of sectors including retail, aviation and financial services, and has played a key role in several major regional bank mergers and acquisitions. The firm's lawyers have considerable experience acting for international financial institutions, major corporations and sovereign wealth funds. The team is much admired by the market for its seamless interdisciplinary approach and cross-border depth, with the capacity to work alongside the firm's other departments and offices with ease.

White & Case demonstrates strong capabilities across the Middle East, typically offering specialist corporate and M&A expertise from its Dubai office, and assisting with real estate and energy mandates mostly from Abu Dhabi. The firm is highly respected for its advice to clients on major multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, leveraged buyouts and joint ventures. The group's lawyers are adept at handling high-stakes private equity mandates and have assisted with strategic partnerships in the oil and gas sector, where they are also noted for their longstanding client relationships.

Gibson Dunn continues to make waves in the UAE legal market. Its regional corporate group comprises lawyers based in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and offers considerable expertise in private equity, with a strong track record when it comes to advising investment managers and sovereign wealth funds. The is also regularly seen on buyout transactions. Other significant clients include major corporations and investment banks.

Akin is an established presence in the UAE, with offices both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm is consistently relied upon by sovereign entities and major corporates for advice on cross-border M&A and investment mandates, with additional strength across corporate restructurings.

Baker McKenzie's Dubai corporate team offers notable capabilities in cross-border M&A, with further strengths in corporate governance, compliance and regulatory matters. The team is also regularly to be seen advising on joint venture agreements and corporate restructuring arrangements. It acts for real estate developers and insurers as well as energy and education companies.

Clyde & Co has a large team based across Dubai and Abu Dhabi which is much admired for its deep bench and broad corporate offering. The team's lawyers are well respected for investments and corporate restructuring matters; the firm's experience also encompasses corporate finance and private equity. The team has strengths in the education and healthcare sectors, with further experience in the insurance, energy and real estate industries.

DLA Piper is a well-regarded international law firm with a significant reputation for M&A transactions both within the UAE and across the Middle East, staffing region-wide work primarily from its Dubai office. Alongside major acquisitions, sales and disposals, the firm is also proficient in regulatory matters, joint ventures, restructurings and reorganisations. The team's lawyers are notably experienced in representing clients from the healthcare and technology sectors, with further skills in hospitality and oil and gas.

Eversheds Sutherland is well regarded in the UAE for its representation of conglomerates and private equity houses in inbound and outbound cross-border M&A. Lawyers in the firm's UAE offices demonstrate a range of capabilities, advising on reorganisations, direct investments and entry into new markets. The firm is also experienced in corporate matters relating to oil and gas and renewable energy projects across the region.

King & Spalding is a strong law firm for corporate and M&A work in the UAE and is known for having specific expertise in transactions relating to Saudi Arabia. The firm is especially well-versed in corporate matters arising in the energy sector, including in the petrochemicals arena as well as with regard to renewables. The team offers further expertise in the healthcare, retail and real estate industries and is well endorsed for its capabilities in private equity and venture capital, drawing upon the strength of its market-leading investment funds practice. The team's clientele commonly includes multinational corporations, government entities and private equity firms.

Latham & Watkins is widely endorsed for its expertise in private equity and venture capital matters. From its office in Dubai, the firm is regularly mandated on significant transactions originating in Saudi Arabia. The team has considerable experience advising on both the sell and buy sides of high-value M&A mandates. Notable clients include regional and international institutional investors. Latham also has a strong track record in representing sovereign wealth funds as well as clients from the healthcare, energy and financial services sectors.

Pinsent Masons houses a notable corporate offering with considerable depth of experience throughout the UAE. The firm's corporate team in Dubai is well-versed in handling M&A transactions as well as significant commercial contracts issues. It is also highly capable with regard to joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The firm acts for a variety of clients in the construction, healthcare and hospitality sectors.

Stephenson Harwood fields a compact yet notable corporate team in Dubai. Its lawyers are adept at handling cross-border M&A and corporate transactions, including group restructuring and the establishment of joint ventures. The firm offers additional expertise in commercial matters.