Banking & Finance

Husam Hourani has over 25 years of experience advising clients on banking and finance related matters, family structuring, succession planning, IPOs. in the United Arab Emirates. He also advises clients on major capital markets transactions in the United Arab Emirates, including in particular listings and/or offerings of different financial products on the Dubai Financial Market, Dubai International Financial Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, as well as continuing/reporting obligations and other regulatory matters related thereto.  His work on conventional finance, Sharia-compliant products and capital markets wins him many fans. 

Husam Hourani was awarded the “Managing Partner of the Year” award at the IFLR Awards 2014 and 2013 and was named “Managing Partner of the Year” by ALB The Brief Middle East Law Awards 2012. 

In addition, Husam garners high praise from the leading legal directories:

Chambers and Partners 2017 states that Husam Hourani "continues to act as a solid resource for banking, finance and capital markets issues. He also earns recognition for his expertise in the regulatory field".  As stated by one source, "everyone has a lot of respect for him in the market."

Chamber and Partners 2016 states that “Husam Hourani has a broad advisory practice that encompasses conventional and Islamic banking, regulatory guidance and equity capital markets matters. Interviewees describe him as "a big name in finance who is always pushing legal developments in the UAE."

Chambers and Partners 2015 states that “sources comment on the strong drive Managing Partner Husam Hourani brings to the practice, as well as his extensive experience across the debt and equity spectrum. He is regularly instructed by regional and international financial institutions to advise on a wide range of transactions and regulatory matters.  Husam Hourani is a pre-eminent figure in the fields of finance and capital markets. His outstanding knowledge of the UAE legal environment makes him a reliable port of call for advice on regulatory matters, as well as a full range of conventional and Shari'a-compliant transactions”.

Chambers & Partners 2014 states that the “super bright and analytical Husam Hourani earns praise for his knowledge of local laws and for his skilled handling of IPOs. He has a fantastic reputation and is viewed as a very gifted lawyer”.  “He complements this with a capital markets offering, giving clients a seamless service.  Commentators note Hourani is "an excellent lawyer full stop.  I work with him a fair amount; he is super bright and analytical”. 

Chambers & Partners have also stated that “Husam Hourani is one of the most widely respected local lawyers in the UAE. Peers and clients say he stands out for his regulatory and Islamic finance knowledge”.  They also note that “Husam Hourani stands head and shoulders above all other lawyers in Dubai when it comes to local law issues.  He is always a pleasure to work with and makes clients feel well taken care of” and “Clients and peers repeatedly praise Husam Hourani’s outstanding professionalism and informed handling of a broad range of commercial matters. His expertise in equity issuances is particularly singled out”.

Legal 500 has stated that Husam Hourani is “very smart, responsive, intensely knowledgeable and equally capable in relation to Islamic and conventional banking” and has been described by clients as "the most knowledgeable banking lawyer in Dubai, insofar as the local market is concerned”.  

IFLR 1000 states that “Peers respect Husam personally and professionally remarking that he is “tremendous” and “good to work with”.  “Husam Hourani is one of the most experienced lawyers when it comes to UAE.  He is technically very good but also extremely commercial”.

1994 – Jordanian Bar

Senior Partner

1993 – Masters of Laws/Sociology of Law, International Institute for the Sociology of Law

1992 – Bachelor of Law, University of Kent