ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners

Aviation; Banking & Finance; Corporate; Capital Markets & Securities; Mergers & Acquisitions ;Private Equity; Restructuring & Insolvency; Venture Capital

Partner

Ezekiel, a corporate and finance law partner based in Kuwait since 2008, boasts extensive expertise in public and private mergers and acquisitions, regularly leading cross-border and local transactions. He is a trusted advisor in private equity and venture capital circles, sought after by founders and investors for his guidance on start-up businesses.

Beyond M&A and venture capital, Ezekiel advises on financing for both borrowers and lenders, spanning local bilateral deals to complex cross-border syndicated facilities and project financing. His proficiency in acquisition financing seamlessly complements his corporate practice.

With a wealth of experience in restructuring and insolvency matters, Ezekiel has played a pivotal role in major Kuwaiti restructurings, advising both lenders and borrowers. Additionally, he represents aircraft manufacturers, lessors, and operators in transactions involving the sale, purchase, leasing, and financing of aircraft and engines.

Ezekiel's outstanding contributions have earned him consistent recognition as a leader in his field by esteemed legal publications such as Chambers and Partners and the IFLR 1000.

Professional Experience

USD3.4-billion acquisition of Kuwait Food Company (Americana): Ezekiel spearheaded ASAR's team acting as Kuwaiti counsel to the purchaser in the acquisition of a 93.4% stake in Kuwait Food Company (Americana), a prominent Kuwaiti listed entity. This high-profile transaction, boasting a record-breaking deal value of approximately USD 3.4 billion, not only set numerous industry precedents but also clinched the prestigious IFLR M&A Deal of the Year Award for 2017.

Carriage Logistics General Trading Company WLL (Carriage) Exit:  Under Ezekiel's leadership, ASAR's team served as Kuwaiti law counsel to the founding shareholders of Carriage Logistics General Trading Company WLL (Carriage) in their share sale to Delivery Hero Group. This groundbreaking transaction, heralding a new era for startup exits in Kuwait, was recognized by the esteemed IFLR 1000, shortlisted for M&A Deal of the Year 2017. Notably, this deal stands as one of the highest value startup exits in both Kuwait and the GCC region, marking a significant milestone in the industry.

Restructuring and re-restructuring of Global Investment House USD1.7-billion debts: Ezekiel provided advisory services to Global Investment House as the debtor for its initial restructuring in 2009 and subsequent re-restructuring in 2013, involving a total debt amount of USD 1.7 billion. The initial restructuring, which engaged 52 creditors, was notably complex, consolidating multiple debt classes into a unified restructuring program supported by a singular class of security. This pioneering deal earned the prestigious IFLR 1000 Restructuring Deal of the Year Award in 2010. In 2013, Ezekiel guided Global through a re-restructuring initiative aimed at transforming the company into a debt-free entity. This involved intricate debt-for-equity and debt-for-assets swaps. Noteworthy was the utilization of an English scheme of arrangement to ensure compliance, even from non-consenting creditors, marking a groundbreaking aspect of the transaction.

Advising on aviation finance and lease transactions: Ezekiel's notable transactions include advising AWAS Aviation Limited on leasing 12 Airbus aircraft to a Kuwaiti operator, assisting Aercap Holdings with aircraft leases to a local leasing company, advising Gulf International Bank PJSC on the sale of five Airbus aircraft, and guiding DVB Bank SE, London Branch on aircraft leases to ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP.

English

Admitted to the Ugandan Bar, 1999 Member, Uganda Law Society, 1999 Member, East Africa Law Society, 1999 Member, International Bar Association, 2002

Master of Laws (LLM) in Commercial Law (first class), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2000

Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Law Development Centre, Uganda, 1998

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Makerere University, Uganda, 1997