Projects & Energy | Global

This firm has a broad projects practice that is prominent throughout the region. It is active on all aspects of project development, with a thoroughly commended finance team. The group maintains a strong petrochemicals practice, which is notably active in Oman, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The firm's lawyers undertake a range of PPP projects and have acknowledged expertise in solar and renewables. The projects group maintains a deep bench, which is set to be bolstered still further by A&O's merger with US law firm Shearman & Sterling in the first half of 2024. Lawyers from both legacy firms have rich experience advising on numerous highly significant energy projects across the Middle East.

Clifford Chance offers a leading project finance practice in the Middle East, with lawyers operating primarily from its UAE and Riyadh offices. The team is particularly commended for its experience inIslamic financing as well as its broad range of work. The firm has a strong oil and gas team active across the region, with noteworthy experience regarding projects in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman. The group's lawyers are acclaimed for their representation of lenders and project companies, notably in the energy sector, and including renewables. The team is also active on major IPPs.

White & Case is known for its pre-eminent oil and gas practice, advising on the full scope of petrochemical projects, including acting as counsel on the region's larger project financing agreements. The team has an accomplished wider project finance department, undertaking financing and refinancing for projects across several major sectors, and acting for both lenders and borrowers. The group's lawyers possess strong experience working with various governments and government entities, including major state-owned energy companies. The firm has notable experience regarding projects located in Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Key projects personnel are based in London, backed by strong support from the firm's several offices within the region.

Covington & Burling is a respected US law firm which continues to cement its place in the Middle East projects space. The firm is noted for its expertise in energy projects and PPPs, and is well versed in numerous forms of project financings. The group particularly excels in utilities and power work, including IPPs and IWPs. Its Middle East files are typically staffed from Dubai, London and Johannesburg.

DLA Piper has a well-developed projects team which is particularly acclaimed for its representation of project sponsors. Its lawyers are recognised for their work on PPP projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider Gulf region, notably in relation to infrastructure projects. The team's infrastructure expertise is complemented by its experience acting on behalf of sovereign entities on renewable energy matters.

Linklaters offers clients a respected finance team that is primarily noted for its work undertaken on behalf of lenders. The group demonstrates expertise in both conventional and Islamic facilities, and has wide-ranging experience relating to oil and gas. The team regularly advises on cross-border facilities. In addition to its oil and gas work, the firm has also advised on energy transition and transport infrastructure projects and is present on matters across the Middle East.

Norton Rose Fulbright is noted for its versatile energy practice which handles renewable energy mandates across the Middle East, staffing such matters primarily from its Dubai and London offices. The firm's lawyers have a strong track record acting for government project sponsors, particularly in relation to PPPs. The team possesses additional experience in mandates relating to major infrastructure and utilities projects.

Bracewell offers a focused energy practice that is active both in oil and gas and in renewables. Its lawyers receive widespread recognition for their oil and gas expertise, advising on field development throughout the Middle East. The firm also acts on major IPPs and IWPPs across the region, including matters originating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Dentons has a well-established projects practice spanning the region, with especially well-regarded offices in the UAE, Oman and Qatar. The firm provides experienced local advice on projects mandates, in addition to advising on the international aspects. The team is also noted for its regional expertise in oil and gas. The firm's lawyers have additional experience advising on large-scale renewable energy, social infrastructure and transport projects. The firm often provides advice on regulatory matters impacting projects throughout the Middle East.

King & Spalding offers a broad and diverse team of utilities lawyers which is highly active on PPPs. It has an especially strong Saudi Arabian practice, with further experience of matters in Oman and the UAE. The firm advises on a number of major development projects, including in the areas of healthcare, desalination and waste water treatment. It also has extensive experience in district cooling, advising both public and private entities. The team possesses a wealth of experience in conventional and renewable energy mandates and regularly assists with build-operate-transfer financings.

Latham & Watkins has a respected project finance team with experience in a broad array of work. The team's lawyers advise on a wide range of PPP projects in the Middle East, including infrastructure and utilities projects. The team is involved in major cross-border financing transactions, frequently acting for major energy companies and government entities. The group also has extensive experience advising on EPC contracts.

CMS is a prominent international law firm that fields a notable projects practice from Dubai, as well as an experienced team of energy lawyers based in Oman. The firm particularly excels in infrastructure projects, with recent experience acting on PPPs and IWPs in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain. The team is also well regarded for its capabilities in power and oil and gas projects, most often advising on procurement, finance and construction issues.

Gibson Dunn presents a broad offering when it comes to its Middle East projects and energy practice, which has been strengthened by several recent hires in the UAE. The team advises corporates, financial institutions and government entities on a range of projects at all stages of their life-cycle, and offers expertise in energy and infrastructure alike. Lawyers based in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are equally adept at handling mandates in the oil and gas and renewables spaces.

Milbank has a prominent international projects team that is recognised primarily for its lender advisory work in the Middle East. The team advises on energy and oil and gas projects, and is particularly noted for its involvement in very high-value matters. The firm staffs much of its Middle East work from London, and receives strong praise for its abilities in cross-border financing.

Pinsent Masons is a strong projects law firm whose Dubai-based team is known for its focus on renewables and infrastructure. It advises on significant financings across the full breadth of the Middle East. The firm completes mandates on both the transport and leisure sides of infrastructure projects, and its lawyers also have noted experience executing waste-to-energy and oil and gas projects in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.